About the Bandaging Angels
The Bandaging Angels provide independent evidence based in house CPD covering wound management and bandaging techniques. We are committed to helping practices reduce complications and improve outcomes. As part of our work we are conducting our own independent research into new and established techniques that will inform our teaching and improve the evidence base for animal welfare.
About this survey: Care of Your Surgical Kit- how well do you look after yours?
In association with Byotrol UK we have created this survey to research the current methods used to care for surgical instruments and gain awareness of the concerns and challenges faced when processing your kit. We will use the data to publish a review and make recommendations based upon the results we receive. Your input is valuable to us and we are incredibly grateful for the time you are giving to help us better understand this important area that not only impacts practice but can influence surgical outcomes relating to wound management. Please complete all the questions as honestly and fully as possible. All submissions will be anonymised and there will be no judgement made based upon the answers, they will just be used to inform future teaching and recommendations.
Which best describes your practice type?
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Please Select
First Opinion WITHOUT hospitalisation facilities
First Opinion WITH hospitalisation facilities
Referral Hospital
University with onsite hospital
University without onsite hospital
Ambulatory practitioner / visiting surgeon
Other
Species Managed
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Small Companion Animal
Equine
Farm
Exotics (Zoo / Wildlife )
Other
Your role
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Please Select
Veterinary Nurse
Head Veterinary Nurse
Veterinary Surgeon
Veterinary Surgeon (Advanced Practitioner)
Specialist Vet
Veterinary Care Assistant
Other
If you are part of a corporate, charity or group practice please select from the list below
*
Please Select
N/A
Independent
IVC Evidensia
Linnaeus
Vet Partners
CVS Group
Vets for Pets
Medivet
Blue Cross
PDSA
Other charity
Other group
Select Other if not included in the list
At best guess, how many people work at your practice?
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Rows
Number
Specialist Vets
Vets
Nurses (RVN)
Student nurses
What (if any) limitations do you have on the choice of products instrument cleansing products you use in practice?
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We can use any product we choose
We can use any product, but limited to ordering from specific wholesalers
We can only use products approved or recommended by our practice / group
Other
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Instrument Care & Reprocessing in your practice
Who is primarily responsible for the care of surgical instruments in your practice?
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A specific Vet
A named RVN / head nurse / lead theatre nurse
A range of RVNs depending upon who is on duty
Whoever is on duty at the time (Vets and Nurses)
Kennel Assistant / Animal Nursing Assistant
Work experience or student nurse
Other
Do you currently have a documented instrument reprocessing protocol?
Yes, we have a clearly defined protocol which I am familiar with
Yes, I think so but I am not familiar with it.
I don't know.
No, we don't have a documented protocol.
Other
Which of the following do you perform as a practice and how often.
Rows
Never
Sometimes
Most of the time
Always
Pre-cleaning/rinsing instruments immediately after surgery
Manual cleaning (pre-sterilisation / ultrasonic cleansing)
Ultrasonic cleaning
Use of enzymatic cleanser
Sterilisation using an autoclave
Hand drying instruments immediately after sterilisation
Lubrication of instruments after each sterilisation process
Packaging, storing and labelling instruments post sterilisation.
Tracking and printing reports of each sterilisation cycle
Refurbishment / repair of damaged instruments
How relevant are these challenges to your practice in terms of achieving optimal instrument processing.
Rows
Rarely an issue
Sometimes an issue
Regularly an issue
Time Constraints
Lack of training
Equipment not available to achieve key steps effectively. eg. no access to ultrasonic cleanser, inadequate drying facilities.
Lack of clarity of best practice processes
Product confusion
Staff turnover
Budget limitations
Differences of opinion between team members / practice staff.
How (if at all) does your practice monitor that instruments are effectively decontaminated prior to use?
Type ' Don't know' if you are unsure
How confident do you feel that your instruments are adequately decontaminated prior to use?
Not confident
1
2
3
4
Very confident
5
1 is Not confident, 5 is Very confident
How often (if at all) are the following issues raised in practice?
Rows
Don't know
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Yearly
Never
Incomplete decontamination
Corrosion of instruments
Shortened lifespan of instruments
Inappropriate solution used for the type of instruments
Instruments used for the wrong procedure (eg. damage to jaws, joints, bent out of shape)
Visible debris on instruments once processed and ready for theatre
Faulty / blunt or damaged instruments processed for repeated use.
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Pre-cleansing instruments: Which solution do you use and why?
What is the brand name of the product do you currently use to pre-clean your instruments?
Type 'don't know' if you are unsure
What is the name of your usual supplier?
What are the main reasons for using this product?
We've always used it
Recommendation (by clinical team /clinical lead)
Cost
Ease of use
Group wide protocol / purchasing decision
Other
If you pre-make or predilute your instrument cleanser how often do you refresh the solution?
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We make up a batch daily
Every other day
Every few days
Weekly
Fortnightly
Monthly
When it's visibly dirty
More than monthly
When somebody remembers
Other
What is the usual dilution rate used in your practice? eg. 1:100, 10ml in 1ltr
Type 'don't know' if you are unsure.
What do you use to dilute your solution?
Tap water
Distilled water
Don't know
Other
How long do you usually leave your instruments in this solution?
Type 'don't know' if you are unsure.
Are instruments that have been soaked in solution rinsed prior to sterilisation?
Yes
I don't know
No
Other
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Monitoring impact of instrument processing techniques:
Does your clinic actively track post-surgical infection or complication rates?
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Yes – routinely tracked and reviewed
Sometimes – informally or by memory
No formal tracking
Not sure
If your practice has identified areas for improvement to reduce complication rates what are they?
If an infection or complication occurs, is instrument reprocessing reviewed as a possible factor?
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Always
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
Not sure
If you have experienced complications that are associated with instruments following routine processing what was thought to be the contributing factor?
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Instrument Care & Reprocessing - Training
Even if you have none!
When did you last have formal training covering instrument care and reprocessing?
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Within the last month
Within the last year
More than a year ago
Never
Rate the following in terms of priorities for your practice.
Rows
Not important
Somewhat important
Important
Very important
Patient outcomes
Reducing cost
Reducing waste
Infection control
Clinical governance (RCVS practice standards accreditation)
Team wellbeing
Client retention
Personal development
What do you feel would need to be overcome to implement a new, evidence based protocol in your practice?
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Final tick boxes!
The following questions allow you to opt in to specific data, to request more information and to allow us to enter you into the draw to win one of 3 £50 Amazon vouchers. Your information will only be used for the purposes you opt into below.
Choose YES if you would like to be kept informed of the survey outcome.
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Yes
No
Please select as many of the following as you like - or add your own request!
I would like more information about Processus enzymatic instrument cleanser.
I would be interested in attending a training event in person
Our practice would benefit from a review of instrument processing and team training
I would like more information about the full range of products available from Byotrol.
Other
Choose YES if you would like to be kept informed of future surveys, CPD and news from the Bandaging Angels.
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Yes
No
Your details - Your Full Name
*
Email Address
*
If you have requested more information please include your e-mail
Place of work
Country
*
Zip / Postcode
*
Submit
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