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Re: Coloured ID tape on surgical instruments

Home Forums Infexion Connexion Coloured ID tape on surgical instruments Re: Coloured ID tape on surgical instruments

#78477
Andrew Ellis
Participant

Author:
Andrew Ellis

Position:
State Coordinator, Sterilisation & Reprocessing

Organisation:
SA Health

State:
SA

Hi Carol,

AS/NZS4187:2014 A2.4.3.1 is the current reference to this:

“Colour-coded identification systems, including coloured instrument tape, silicon rings,
adhesive labels, can detach from a RMD during surgery, thereby compromising patient
safety. In addition, microorganisms can become trapped beneath the adhesive layer of these
systems, thereby compromising the ability of the RMD to be reprocessed effectively.”

Even if you take off tape that has been on an instrument for a long time, the surface beneath rarely recovers and tends to be physically compromised.

Regards,

Andrew Ellis
Sterilising and Reusable Medical Device Reprocessing State Coordinator
Infection Control Service | Communicable Disease Control Branch
Health Regulation & Protection
Department for Health and Wellbeing | Government of South Australia
Level 13 | 25 Grenfell Street | Adelaide SA 5000
HCW infection prevention: http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/infectionprevention
General public: http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/hospitalinfections

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Hi Carol
Coloured id tape poses 2 key issues

* the tape itself and adhesive compromise cleaning and can provide a surface for colonisation
* the tape, certainly use to, became brittle post repeated sterilization. I have seen firsthand, many years ago, brittle tape flushed from a bladder.

While I understand that a highly visible marking system can appear attractive especially to keep sets together, there are much better instrument marking systems available.

Kind regards
Ken Chapman
Infection Prevention and Control Clinical Coordinator
Cabrini Health

________________________________

[Posted on behalf of member – Moderator]

Dear Brains Trust

I recall years ago that AS/NZS4187:1995 didn’t recommend the use of coloured tape to identify instruments.

Does this still hold true? Is there a document I can refer to?

Cheers

Carol

Carol Bradley

Bradley Infection Prevention and Control Services

Infection Preventionist in Veterinary Practice

Melbourne, Australia

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