Hi everyone,
Many of you are aware we have been waiting several months for improvements in our suture supplies ( namely a better disposable kit or idealy autoclaved real equipment!!).
Kersti, Dave M, Pierre and myself are all very dissatisfied with the current kits and have expressed this to admin. With many delays and frustration building I need you all to way in…
Who is not happy with the current kits? Do you like the poor quality needle driver and forceps? or have no issue with it?
Please let me know asap and respond either way.
I have the four names on the list already as above in addition to Jen ( NP) and Bob (PA).
thanks
John
Administration has been obstructive on this issue, seemingly to flex some muscles. It affects patient care. I believe we should do the following as a group:
(1) Write a letter signed by all stating we won’t use the kits for various reasons – poor quality needle drivers that don’t grip suture and sometimes don’t release; an unenvironmental option, etc.
(2) Each day we have our ward clerks collect and return the kits and only use autoclave kits (in Huntsville available in OR).
(3) Every time improper equipment is all that is available dictate a note and copy to CEO and MQA Commitee
Pierre
I agree that the environmental cost is disgusting. I believe collecting all the kits each day would send a message, but perhaps in the meantime we could use an autoclaved needle driver instead?
I’m just waiting for the first kid who needs stitches to come in (whom I generally use 6-0 on the face for) and start with the crappy kits. When it doesn’t work, I will explain the situation and ask for the family to make an impact statement about how this low quality equipment affected their child’s care (insert emotionally driven, low patient satisfaction wording here)… Maybe they’ll do one of Karen Fleming’s videos for greater impact…
Yes I hate them but didn’t realize anyone else cared! The needle drivers are just awful and recently I had to do some complex nail bed repairs and there were NO real needle drivers that anyone could find and I had to open THREE kits to find a semi functional disposable needle driver. The waste is also terrible. We need proper equipment! Good to know however that there are autoclaved kits available – we just have to ask for them then?
The flood gates of comments open!
Tyler and Adam emailed me direct too with the same concerns !
I will put everyone’s comments together and present to admin tomorrow or Wednesday (if I can’t get them tomorrow)….
I have repeatedly said that the majority if doctors feel these kits are terrible and substandard but seeing now the majority way in quickly is good.
Let’s give one last kick at the can and if I get nowhere soon then we make an action plan and incorporate suggestions already mentioned!!
I agree that the disposables are of incredibly poor quality. Sutures smaller than 3-0 don’t grip and routinely break with the rough teeth. I have serious concerns about using these for complex and fine wound repairs.