Non-sterile sponges

[Tío Riñon]

My nurse informed me during a recent clinic visit that DaVita and Baxter have decided to switch from sterile, packaged sponges (gauze squares) to non-sterile, unpackaged (open) ones.  Evidently this is a cost-saving change.  She is planning to order some type of container for patients to use to protect the sponges from exposure to elements.

Has anyone else heard about this?  What are your thoughts?

[iolaire]

Most of the foreign centers I visited used non sterile sponges.  Personally I would not be worried about that change.  As long as the center or you are able to store them in a clean fashion.

[kickingandscreaming]

I use non-sterile 3" sponges in my PD setup. all the time.  I figure that they are always saturated in Alcavis anyway.  I use sterile sponges when I inject heparin into a bag and when I clean my exit site.

[cassandra]

As long as you get your own supply, I suppose it would be okay (and you can keep them on/with your person)

[Simon Dog]

Fresinus was using non-sterile sponges 5 years ago when I was in-center, and supplies non-sterile for my home hemo (though let me order sterile individuallly packaged one if I prefer).  They come in a bulk pack and I just fold the paper wrapper over the unused portion.   No infections yet, 5.5 years and counting.

They are not "unpackaged" or "open", but come in a bulk pack, and are not assured sterile but certainly look pretty clean.

[cbatsea]

Our gauze isn't "sterile...but I don't leaving it lying about.  It's in the package, in a drawer.  As long as you disinfect your accesses, you should be fine.

[cbatsea]

Same here...I don't leave them lying about, and we clean his sites well....haven't had a problem.

[Charlie B53]

Zip lock bags work verty well to keep a handy amount clean.  And small enough you can toss some into most any bag to go anywhere.

I keep a bag in the console of my truck, another in my Dialysis carry-along bag of junk.  A couple places about the house.  Enough places I don't have to go very far if the need every arises.  So far I have never needed any.

I should put a couple more bags out in the Barn.

Each bag also has a roll of tape.

[Paul]

Zip lock bags work verty well to keep a handy amount clean.

Zip lock bags are a godsend, not only for medical matters, but for so many things. Whoever invented them deserves a Nobel prize.