ScanCARE Blog

Posts about Surgical Instruments:

Navigating the Changes in Product Families from AS/NZS 4187 to AS 5369

Michael Stanton 01-Feb-2024 14:22:39
Navigating the Changes in Product Families from AS/NZS 4187 to AS 5369

The shift from AS/NZS 4187:2014 to AS 5369:2023 introduces notable changes in the implementation of Product Families, especially with the detailed guidance presented in section A.5.2 of Appendix A.

In contrast to AS/NZS 4187:2014, AS 5369:2023 offers comprehensive guidance along with a supporting flowchart.

This blog aims to explore the guidance provided and highlight the differences in managing product family classifications between these two standards, making it easier to understand the adjustments required.

Introducing ScanCARE QuickShots

Michael Stanton 05-Apr-2023 14:56:49

Busy Nurse

ScanCARE QuickShots offer a condensed version of our in-depth blog posts, summarising the key takeaways and presenting them in a quick, easy-to-read format. Each QuickShots blog will cover essential information on surgical instrument tracking, sterilization, and management, helping you stay up to date on industry best practices and innovations.

Unique Surgical Instrument Identification – AU and NZ update

Michael Stanton 09-May-2019 20:11:50
Unique Surgical Instrument Identification – AU and NZ update

In July 2018 I published a blog about being ready for unique surgical instrument identification (UDI) and its implications for Australia and New Zealand.

Since then, the therapeutic goods administration (TGA) in Australia has released a consultation paper relating to the implementation of UDI.

The purpose of this blog is to look at the document and provide an update on what’s happening with the implementation of UDI in Australia.

Simplifying product families by using an alternative approach

Michael Stanton 27-Nov-2018 13:57:57
Simplifying product families by using an alternative approach

By far the most perplexing issue for customers and delegates I talk to at conferences is Product Families.

This topic is the most read on my blog and our free guide to product family categorisation is by far the most downloaded resource on our web site.

The purpose of this post is to challenge the methodology used in the ISO/TS 17665-3 (ISO) standard by asking ‘Why does it need to be that way?’

Get ready for Unique Surgical Instrument Identification.

Michael Stanton 23-Jul-2018 13:13:02
Get ready for Unique Surgical Instrument Identification.

In September 2013 the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) implemented regulations establishing a system to identify surgical devices through distribution and use. Under this rule, each medical device must be labelled with a Unique Device Identifier (UDI).

The UDI needs to be directly marked on the device itself if the device is intended to be used more than once and to be reprocessed before each use.

Has Spaulding Classification had its day?

Michael Stanton 30-May-2017 06:36:00
Has Spaulding Classification had its day?

I recently attended the 37th Annual Dental Congress in Melbourne and it was fantastic to catch up with the dental community and talk about the infection control issues that affect them. We had many visitors to our booth and had several enriching discussions with progressive thinking delegates who were passionate about infection control.

One discussion in particular caught my interest, as the delegate had very interesting views regarding the Spaulding Classification and how it was applied in dentistry. Our discussion centred around whether the classification and AS4815 were still relevant and whether AS4187 should be the "go to" standard for office based dental practices instead.

CSSD Revolution: the Impact of complex instruments on resources

Michael Stanton 10-Aug-2016 09:30:00
CSSD Revolution: the Impact of complex instruments on resources

The advances in surgical procedures and surgical instrumentation, over the past 10-20 years has been astounding. Once upon a time, just about every surgical procedure was open surgery and involved simple pivot based stainless steel instruments. These days, surgical instruments are highly complex hybrid material devices.

This has led to a quiet revolution in sterilizing departments around the world. Instruments were once simple and tray assembly straightforward.