Put that back where it came from, so help me!

If I had a dollar for every time I pulled out and opened a suture packet, say a 3-0 vicryl SH, and it wasn’t. Instead, the suture that was in the wrong box was a 2-0 vicryl CT-1. Not even remotely the same. One is a cutting needle, the other is a taper needle and the suture, although the same type of suture, also isn’t the same size. Well, I would be wealthy.

Some people think that as long as the suture is replaced in a box, any box will do.

Deep breath to center myself.

No, no, no. Not any box will do. The box that matches what the suture is best.

If things are hopping, and the surgeon is waiting for me to open the requested suture to control bleeding, grabbing what you thought was the right one and having to go again out for the actual right one is so dangerous and can be detrimental to the patient. As a species, circulators don’t need to add to their steps that badly.

Could I look at the package that I pull out of the box?

Sure. I glance a the package to ensure that it is still in date. That’s what I do. But taking the time when I am running back to the room with suture in hand, not gonna happen. Therefore the wrong suture gets opened. A lot. Not only is that a waste of product, it is also a waste of time.

Just put the suture in the box it came out of. That’s all we are asking.

Also, the orthopedic supply that is one of a kind. I’ve heard about this happening too. At a glance, it looks like there is a very needed supply, but in actuality, someone returned the supply to the wrong box.

Years ago the OR was besides themselves because it appeared as if they had misplaced an entire instrument set.

Many, many people were on the hunt for this set. The department was set to be charge beaucoup bucks for the set if it was not produced by the end of day.

I walked onto the floor to start my shift, go to get something from the basement, and pick up the very set they are looking for. On a go back instrument table in plain sight.

No idea who put it there. Much panic to the day shift crew.

Don’t be that person who puts things in the wrong place.

If you don’t know where the proper place is, ask.

If you don’t care where the proper place is, ask yourself if healthcare is right for you.

I said it, well, I wrote it.