Wrapped Rules

Dustin Patterson | Regional Sales Manager, LogiQuip LLC.

While  there  are  a  few  options  for  storing  sterilized instrumentation, the most common is blue wrapped instrument sets. While blue wrap is easy to use and can accommodate almost any size item, it can be prone to ripping, tearing and contamination, so let’s discuss some ways to help ensure the integrity of wrapped instrument sets.

Sterile storage shelving should be place in a clean, dry area dedicated to sterile storage. The storage room should have minimal foot traffic and be climate controlled. According to the ANSI-AAMI ST97 2017 guidelines, wrapped instrument sets must be stored 8’’-10’’ above the floor, at least 18’’ from the ceiling or sprinkler heads, and 2’’ from outside walls to protect from moisture and debris. If your location does not have the space for a dedicated sterile storage, use covered or enclosed racks.

There are several kinds of shelving that can be leveraged for sterile storage. Look for shelving units with smooth shelves and rounded edges that will not rip or tear wrapped instrument sets. This  could  be  stainless  steel  shelves,  chrome  plated  wire shelving with a rounded edge, or shelving that accommodates transport baskets where wrapped instruments don’t have to touch the shelf at all. Wrapped instruments sets should not be stacked on top of each other and should have enough space between them to ensure sufficient airflow.

Be sure to consult the ST97 guidelines as well as your facility’s specific guidelines to ensure compliance and patient safety.

Dustin   Patterson   is   currently   the   Mid-West Regional Sales Manager with Logiquip Healthcare Storage  Solutions,  a  leading  provider  of  high- quality,  future  focused  storage  systems  designed exclusively for use in the healthcare environment. Logiquip  is  based  out  of  Kalamazoo,  MI  and  has served healthcare organizations across the US for 30 years. Dustin brings over 12 years of experience in space planning and healthcare storage. He has acted on behalf of LogiQuip as the vendor liaison to the   AHRMM   Wisconsin   Chapter,   a   leading membership  group  for  healthcare  supply  chain professionals. Working closely with many hospitals and surgery centers, Dustin has developed tailored solutions  using  a  mix  of  best  practices,  Lean principles, and industry-leading storage equipment. He has also worked with many Sterile Processing Departments to maximize storage spaces, balancing trade-offs  between  high-capacity  storage  layouts and workflow efficiencies.