Healthcare Drapes and Sponges

What is the goal of draping?

It serves as a barrier to isolate and protect the operative site from contaminants and microbes that can cause a surgical site infection.

Describe a property of a lint free drape.

It prevents airborne particles from entering the surgical wound.

Describe a property of a fluid resistant drape.

It prevents strike-through contamination.

Describe a property of a porous drape.

It protects enough so that body heat is not retained, resulting in hypothermia.

Describe a property of a flame retardant drape.

Used so that they do not ignite if exposed to the beam of a laser or from an electrosurgical unit.

What is an advantage of non woven fabrics?

It is Disposable.

What is an advantage of woven fabrics?

They can be laundered and reused

Describe the following fabric: Incise Drape

This drape has an adhesive back that may be impregnated with an antimicrobial agent.

Describe the following fabric: Aperture Drape

These drapes are used to drape eyes and ears and allows the surgeon to view landmarks that would not normally be covered.

Describe the following fabric: Isolation Drape

This drape protects intestines against trauma and contamination.

Describe the following fabric: Fenestration Drape

This is a drape with an opening to the area being incised.

Describe the following fabric: Split Sheet

A u-shaped drape used on extremities or head procedures.

Describe the following fabric: Stockinette

This drape is stretchable gauze tubes used to cover extremities. They're frequently used to cover extremities for coronary bypass hip replacement procedures.

What is a lap sponge used for?

Lap sponges are used to absorb large amounts of blood or body fluids.

What is a Raytec Sponge used for?

These sponges are used when an incision is small

What is a Tonsil Sponge?

A cotton filled gauze used during a tonsillectomy. A string is attached for easy removal.

What is a Kitner Sponge used for?

The blunt dissection of tissues.

What is a peanut sponge?

It is a rolled gauze used for blunt dissection and is usually smaller than the Kitner Sponge.

What are some characteristics of patties or cottonoids?

They may be moistened with saline. They come ten in a pack. They are arranged onto bleeding neural tissue.

Extra Points: In order to prepare yourself for laparotomy, what type of sponges will you need?

You will need packs of lap sponges because you are now dealing with bigger incisions.