Instrument Count

In which surgical specialty do you usually work? (you can choose more than 1)

How many years experience as a perioperative nurse do you have?

Less than 1

1 - 5

6 - 10

More than 10

Are you familiar with the Mount Hospital instrument count policy?

Yes

Unsure

When counting instruments sets do you ... (choose the answer which most closely describes your usual practice)

Check the contents of the instrument trays against the enclosed list prior to commencement but not on completion of surgery

Perform an initial and final count of all instruments only for surgery where a body cavity is entered

Count only selected items and record them on the count sheet (e.g artery forceps, screws and towel clips)

Usually do not check the contents of instrument trays against the enclosed list

Perform an initial and final count of all instruments using the tray list for all cases

How do you usually perform the count of your instrument trays?

Do not usually count instrument sets

The circulating nurse calls the instruments off the tray list and the scrub nurse quickly checks the contents of the tray

The scrub nurse quickly checks the contents of the instrument trays and informs the circulating nurse that they match the printed list

When adding singly packaged instruments to the sterile field do you usually...

Record them in additional spaces on the count sheet

Record them on the tray list with similar instruments (e.g. artery forceps, towel clips)

Usually do not record them

If you do not normally add separately packaged instruments to your count is it because...

There is not enough room on the count sheet

I am confused about where to document them when there are already like instruments on the tray lists

I don't think it is likely that the instrument will get lost

I don't have time

How important do you feel it is to count all the instruments in your sets before and after surgery?

Very important

Moderately important

Important

Not important

What are some of the problems you encounter when trying to count your instrument sets? (you can choose more than one response)

The order that instruments are packed on the trays does not match the order printed on the tray list

The contents of the instrument tray does not match the printed tray list

Don't have time, rushing to complete other tasks in theatre

The scrub and/or circulating is unfamiliar with the instruments on the tray

Lack of cooperation from other staff members

Other (please specify)

Do you think counting all your instruments is equally important for all cases?

Yes