GKE Documentation Labels

The importance of documentation labels
 

Product Identification and traceability includes sterilising cycle records "documentation" reference AS/NZ 4187 (2003) page 63, 8.5.2.2 . 

Written documentation and batch labeling alone is not enough.

Written documentation or recording of a sterilisers batch/load contents in the Central Sterilisation Department (CSD) merely indicates what surgical packs were proposed for that load.

The indicator tape used externally on surgical packs is to alert any healthcare worker that a surgical pack has or has not been through a sterilisation process - the tape and internal indicators are discarded on opening of the pack.

Therefore there is no permanent proof that the pack actually did go through the sterilisation process.

Tracing to the patient requires a piggy back label with a steam process indicator that can be transferred from the surgical pack to the patients notes providing proof of the process if required in the future