Top Five Reusable Instruments Commonly Replaced
Have you ever wondered what the top replaced reusable instruments are in hospitals across New Zealand? Surgical instruments form the foundation of the healthcare system and are you used amongst all specialties. In this blog, we are going to discuss the five most commonly replaced reusable instruments in New Zealand hospitals.
- Ball and Socket Towel Forceps 13cm:
Ball and socket towel forceps are some of New Zealand operating theatres’ most frequently used instruments. This instrument plays a crucial role in maintaining sterility during procedures. They are used to securely hold drapes or towels in place during surgery, ensuring a sterile field and preventing any movement.
- Why are they commonly replaced?
They are used across virtually all surgical specialties and, therefore, are widely needed across the hospital, undergoing many sterilisation cycles. Frequently handled instruments can experience more manipulation than many other tools. Due to its repeated use of over-clamping, it can cause gradual teeth to wear down. It can also often get overlooked with drapes at the end of a procedure, meaning this instrument is commonly discarded or lost and, therefore, requires frequent replacement.
2. Crile Artery Forceps 14cm curved:
Crile Artery Forceps are crucial for clamping and controlling blood flow during procedures, especially for clamping blood vessels or tissues before cauterisation or ligation. They require a precise and reliable grip and closure, making them a commonly replaced instrument.
- Why are they commonly replaced?
Crile artery forceps can lead to serious complications if the clamping ability is not working correctly or there is any potential for cracks or damage caused by over-clamping. It is also used for various procedures, from delicate vessel clamping to general tissue handling, which creates a lot of pressure on the instrument. It is a high-volume product used several times within a single procedure and goes through the sterilisation process many times each week. Therefore, they are commonly replaced to ensure they don’t cause any damage and compromise patient safety.
3. Surgical Scissors sharp/blunt 12.5cm straight:
Surgical scissors are used during operations to cut tissues, sutures, and dressings precisely. There are various types of surgical scissors, including Metzenbaum, Mayo, operating scissors and more.
- Why are they commonly replaced?
Surgical scissors are commonly replaced because they can often lose their precise cutting edge even after being regularly sharpened. Repeated high-temperature autoclaving can affect the metal hardness and edge retention. Depending on how specialised the scissors are, they may need to be replaced more commonly and no longer suitable for their intended purpose. Some procedures will demand scissors more; plastic surgery often requires exceptional sharpness, whereas orthopedics may want the tougher material.
4. Gillies Tissue Forceps 15cm 1×2 teeth:
Gillies tissue forceps are used to hold and manipulate delicate tissue. They are often used in plastic surgery, delicate dissection, and reconstructive procedures and are perfect for fine work. They have 1×2 teeth as well for a secure grip.
- Why are they commonly replaced?
Gillies tissue forceps are often replaced because the teeth of the forcep must be accurately aligned, which can usually degrade after multiple uses. There is potential for damage as they are designed for delicate procedures and can cause tissue damage if misused or with too much force, especially on delicate tissues like vessels, nerves and bowel. They are also used across multiple specialties, increasing their use and requiring hospitals to purchase more.
5. Mosquito Haemostatic Forceps 12.5cm curved:
During surgery, Mosquito haemostatic forceps are used to clamp and control bleeding, particularly of small blood vessels. Their precise design with a fine, narrow tip allows for working with smaller vessels in small spaces. They also have serrated jaws, providing a secure grip on the vessel.
- Why are they commonly replaced?
Due to being used for delicate procedures, they can be commonly replaced due to wear and tear. They are also very small and fine, making them an easy instrument to be lost or mishandled. If there is any misalignment, it can compromise the vessel sealing and lead to intraoperative bleeding.
Overall, Hallmark Surgical have found these five instruments to be the most commonly replaced each year. It often comes down to how many specialities they are used for, tip size, sterilisation and if they can get misplaced or thrown out. All five of these instruments are a part of our Rapid Reusables range and, therefore, are always in stock for immediate dispatch. If one of these key instruments becomes damaged or goes missing, Hallmark Surgical can replace this immediately!
We also have a wide range of other instruments in our Rapid Reusables range, which you can view in our catalogue:
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