hello

could anyone help me in regards to double pouches/also double paper packets
we have a situation where our cssd/theatre are of one unit and the staff can be a variety of nurses periodically visiting the unit on theatre days
so as to conform with a sterile field we pack our single items in double pouches and double packets for all areas that we supply sterile stock eg; accident and emergency, obstets, medical ward surgical ward podiatry outer hospital doctors offices other hospitals
our reasoning is that to teach our casual staff when too single pack / double pack is a too hard basket for us to do. Do you think that we are over the top and cease this practice or continue the practice ??? what is the norm single pack for wards and units double pack for theatre

we still have a downward displacement steam steriliser but a prevac is on its way horray!!!!!

regards
Elizabeth

Dear,

Most people use a single pouch for the wards and a double one for the operation theatre. But there are no "contra-indications" - except the price and workload - for the use of a double wrapping in pouches all over the hospital. Jack Van Asten wrote in his booklet: "Steam Sterilization in Practice" the following on double wrapping:

"Double wrapping can be used for two reasons:

1. to better protect the product, thus prolonging the shelf life and
2. to provide a product with a sterile environment outside of the inner wrap (feel free to read that again). This improves the aseptic presentation specifically in "sterile environments" eg.operating theatres.

Double wrapping in pouches can only go wrong if the pouches are not of the right size. The second pouch should be large enough to contain the first pouch without the need to fold it. This will prevent condensate getting caught between the foils of the inner and outer wrap. In simple English you cannot double wrap in two pouches of the same size. The different sizes are designed for this approach. In containers and paper bags the inner wrap is generally a sheet of non woven paper to facilitate aseptic presentation of the product. Wrapping products in two sheets of material may lead to some confusion. The proper procedure is to wrap a product in the first layer and then wrap the entire thing in the second layer."

I hope this helps you a little bit further.
Wim Renders