This year’s Excellence In Surgical Products (ESP) Awards gave readers the difficult task of picking the winners from all of the great submissions received. From the entrants rose three Best of Show products, which include a data management solution, ultrasonic dissection device, and a hands-free transfer tray.
The Best of Show winners were given the opportunity to talk more in-depth about their products, primarily the catalyst behind the product’s creation and how they help help in the operating room.
FIRST PLACE, BEST OF SHOW, SDC3 ALL-IN-ONE DATA MANAGEMENT SOLUTION, STRYKER ENDOSCOPY
Surgical Products: Can you provide a detailed description of the SDC3 and what it is designed to offer customers?
Stryker: The SDC3 captures and records HD images and videos during endoscopic procedures with advanced features, such as dual-capture capability, 1080p high definition recording, and a 1 TB internal archive. To improve workflow efficiency, the SDC3 allows more control than ever with the device control package. Surgeons and the sterile team can now control devices from the sterile field, and non-sterile team members can quickly control consoles from across the room. The SDC3 also acts as a solution for data connectivity after the surgical procedure by streamlining post-op media processes through integration with PACS, EMRs, or Studio3. Physicians can also easily save media to a USB, CD/DVD, hospital network, iPad, or Studio3.
SP: What are some of the SDC3’s most notable features?
Stryker:
- Device Control – The SDC3 allows both surgeons and staff to take control of devices in the OR to positively impact workflow and increase efficiency.
- Built-in WiFi – With built-in wireless capabilities, the SDC3 offers wireless communication and integration with hospital networks, Studio3, PACS, and EMR systems.
- Customizable Surgical Timeouts – Designed to improve patient safety and ensure staff engagement, the SDC3 offers a customizable surgical timeout checklist to be displayed on monitors, followed by an electronic copy of the surgical timeout saved to the patient’s file.
- Customizable User Profiles –User profiles can be customized to meet the preferences of each surgeon. With the press of a single button, the device configures to the surgeon’s needs, allowing the nurse more time to focus on the patient.
SP: How do these features help your customers control devices and manage data more effectively?
Stryker: The Device Control package gives customers more control over devices, drastically increasing efficiency and saving time in the OR. With Device Control, surgeons and members of the sterile field can quickly control devices all devices on and off the sterile field by using a wireless headset or the 1488 camera head. Non-sterile team members also have more control with the ability to control consoles from across the room using the SDC3 touch screen, the SPI3 touch screen, or an infrared remote.
The SDC3 simplifies data management with customizable user profiles that configure saving preferences for each surgeon. Through built-in WiFi, patient information and media can be wirelessly transmitted to the surgeon’s preferred network, including the hospital network, Studio3, PACs, and EMRs.
SP: Is the SDC3 compatible with consumer electronic devices?
Stryker: After downloading the free Stryker SDC3 app in the Apple App Store, the SDC3 can save images and video to the Apple iPad for the surgeon to edit, annotate, email,
or review case footage.
SP: How does the SDC3 compare with similar products or other means of managing data?
Stryker: The SDC3 is a best-in-class information management system that offers technological advancements and efficiency improvements unlike any other digital capture device. The SDC3 focuses on safety and efficiency and can be customized to meet the unique needs of your surgeons, staff, and hospital networking systems. The advanced recording capabilities, customizable user profiles, surgical timeouts, device control, and iPad integration and built-in WiFi set this device apart from previous Stryker generations and from other capture devices in the medical market.
SECOND PLACE, BEST OF SHOW, CORDLESS ULTRASONIC DISSECTION DEVICE, COVIDIEN
SP: What are some of the key features of the Sonicision device that set it apart from similar devices?
Covidien: In addition to being the first and only cordless device of its kind, the Sonicision cordless ultrasonic dissection device was designed with three key features:
- A patented dual mode energy button which allows surgeons to keep their eyes on the patient and endoscopic monitor
- A linear active blade with tapered tip that offers faster dissection and less surgical plume than the leading (corded) competitor (1,2)
- A handheld design where all user feedback is provided using only lights and tones on the instrument
SP: How does its unique design allow for more freedom of movement and better efficiency in the operating room?
Covidien: By offering clinicians a cordless design, the Sonicision device can be passed unencumbered between surgeon and nurses across the sterile field without dealing with cord logistics. In addition, the Sonicision jaws can be rotated infinitely with no cord obstruction before activating, which allows for easy and precise tissue placement. Lastly, Sonicision was designed to be assembled and ready for use within 15 seconds, which means nurses can focus on preparing other elements of the procedure.
SP: How does the device allow for faster dissection and improved visibility for surgeons?
Covidien: Sonicision was carefully designed with a linear active blade and tapered tip. In addition to being the only cordless device of its kind, the Sonicision jaw design offers faster dissection and less plume than the leading corded competitor. Faster dissection contributes to a more efficient procedure, while a plume reduction of up to 5x can lead to better visibility for the surgeon. (1,2)
SP: How does the instrument contribute to improved patient safety?
Covidien: Cords and cables are one of the three most common tripping hazards in the OR. Tripping in the OR has been tied to direct patient injury, contributing to surgical errors, and causing surgical delays. (3) By reducing up to three cords in the OR, Sonicision contributes to a safer OR experience.
1.When compared to the Harmonic ACE* on maximum power through 10cm of porcine mesentery. Results show a statistically significant (P < 0.0001) difference in mean dissection speed. Tsirline VB, Lau KN, Swan RZ, Montero PN, Sindram D, Martinie JB, Iannitti DA., Evaluation of an Innovative, Cordless Ultrasonic Dissector. Surg Innov, 2013.
2. Kim FJ, Sehrt D, Pompeo A, Molina WR., Comparison of surgical plume among laparoscopic ultrasonic dissectors using a real-time digital quantitative technology. Surg Endosc, 2012.
3. Brogmus G, Leone W, Butler L, Hernandez E [2007]. Best practices in OR suite layout and equipment choices to reduce slips, trips, and falls. AORN (Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses) J 86:384–398.
THIRD PLACE, BEST OF SHOW, HANDS-FREE TRANSFER TRAY, ASPEN SURGICAL
SP: Please explain how the Bard-Parker Hands-Free Transfer Tray allows for the safe and effective passing of sharps in the operating room?
Aspen Surgical: Use of the Bard-Parker transfer tray allows sharp instruments to be transferred from one person to the other using a “neutral zone” rather than passing hand-to-hand. In this way, operating room personnel can pick up sharp instruments from the tray when they are ready and aware, so as to avoid accidental cuts that could potentially happen if the receiving personnel are fully not prepared to accept the instrument.
The Bard-Parker transfer tray provides easy visibility to the instrument so that the person picking it up can clearly see any sharp ends. It is also designed to guide the hand to pick up the instrument from the middle rather than from the sharp end, shielding fingers.
In general, research performed on the use of neutral zone rather than hand-to-hand passing has shown effectiveness ranging from 35 percent to 59 percent in reducing sharps injuries in operations where blood loss is greater than 100mL.
SP: Is this product meant to be used with other sharps safety products and related practices?
Aspen Surgical: Use of a transfer tray or neutral zone is one aspect of compliance with the Federal OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, as well as compliance with other recommended practices put forth by organizations such as AORN. However, this is not the only way to protect staff, particularly given that use of the transfer tray only supports protection for passing of instruments. With this in mind, our tray was designed to be used in conjunction with other safety-engineered instruments (such as Bard-Parker Safety Scalpels). Use of both of these products together provides better protection for staff during the loading and unloading of blades, as well as passing of the instruments.
SP: What kind of material is the tray made from? Is it durable?
Aspen Surgical: The Bard-Parker transfer tray is made from a durable, yet lightweight, plastic to provide easy handling. It also includes many carrying points should the tray need to be moved for any reason.
SP: Can you explain how the design of the tray helps maximize patient and staff safety?
Aspen Surgical: Due to its ability to aid in the safe passing of sharps instruments, the Bard-Parker transfer tray helps to support a safe work environment for operating room personnel. With a safe work environment, the hope is
that surgical staff is free of distraction and is able to focus solely on the patient and the procedure at hand.
