Cleaning, disinfection and the contamination control strategy

 

 Enjoy the video!

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)

Critical thinking & microbiology

 

What is critical thinking? As with any oft-used term, and one centered on intellectual pursuits and of pedagogical research, there are differing approaches. One definition, which is useful, among the voluminous texts on the subject, is (1):

 

“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.”

 

Defining critical thinking is one thing. What makes for an effective ‘critical thinker’ is another (2).

 

A good critical thinker is someone who can adapt to the situation and be able to appraise a situation and to ask searching questions for a topic, even if they are not the subject matter expert in that particular topic.

 

And how does this apply to microbiology? How do we distil such concepts as objectivity, thoroughness and precision? So much of microbiology is based on examining unknowns or weighing up probability, to the extent that we need an understanding of uncertainty, especially in risk assessments (3).

 

In this week’s article, I take a look at critical thinking, and how this can apply to areas like microbiology in pharmaceuticals and healthcare. See: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/critical-thinkers-microbiology-scientific-method-tim-hkdxe/

 

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)

What Tools are You Likely to See in an Operating Theatre?

 

Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/gray-metal-tool-set-close-up-photography-QQ_Rvwe0u_w

An operating theatre can be filled with specialised tools so that doctors and nurses can do their jobs safely and effectively. Having the right tools available can be imperative to how an operating theatre works and how surgery is conducted safely. Here’s a run down of some of the common tools you’ll find in the operating room.

1)    A Scalpel

Scalpels are small, sharp knives that doctors use to make precise cuts in the skin. There are different shapes and sizes that are numbered so that each part is replaceable depending on what you’re cutting into but ensures that they are always sharp and clean.

2)    Retractors

Retractors are tools used to hold back tissues and organs so that the doctor can see and work on the area being operated on. Some retractors are handheld, but some are a Self-Retaining Retractor which is designed to stay in place to hold an incision open to allow the surgeon to operate efficiently. As technology has advanced, it’s enabled light attachments to be used too for better accuracy.

3)    Forceps

Forceps are used to pick up, hold or to gently handle small pieces of tissue. They can be really helpful for aiding in dressings and stitches but can also be used to clap together blood vessels such as a hemostatic forceps.

4)    Scissors

Surgical scissors are special scissors used to cut tissues, stitches, or other materials. There are different kinds you can see in an operating theatre. General scissors can be used for cutting clothes for example, but there are also more specialised types of scissors such as Metzenbaum scissors which are designed to cut delicate tissues or Mayo scissors which are for more tough tissues.

5)    Clamps

Clamps are used to hold and secure things in the operating room for a multitude of surgical procedures. Surgeons can rely on clamps to help stop the bleeding by clamping blood vessels, but also to work on specific areas of the body and allow for better circulation and effective surgeries.

6)    Suction

Suction devices are used in the operating room to remove any blood or fluids that can interfere with surgery. There are different types of devices depending on the type or operation. There can be general suction tips or one’s that are more delicate to protect tissues.

7)    Stitches and Staplers

So when it comes to an operating theatre, sutures and stitching is usually predominant as a tool to close up cuts and wounds. Staplers can also be used to close up wounds and medical glue can also hold together minor cuts and wounds.

8)    Anaesthetics

Anaesthesia is mostly used in surgeries to help put patients to sleep whilst medical professionals are still able to monitor them. Anaesthesia equipment is used to control this and monitor vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rates to keep patients safe whilst in the operating theatre.

9)    Intelligent Surgery Systems

As technology has developed, medical professionals are now able to rely on robotic surgical equipment to help in an operating theatre. This can be something like the da Vinci surgical system, AR or 3D printing.

Conclusion

An operating room is filled with various tools that help doctors perform surgeries safely and effectively. From scalpels and scissors to advanced robotic systems, each tool has a specific purpose to ensure the best possible care for patients.

Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)