For Immediate Release
Innovative Sahara® O.R. Table Sheet Helps Hospitals Manage Body Fluids and Maintain Skin Integrity During Surgery
Operating room a high-risk environment for the development of skin breakdown
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 — Medline Industries, Inc., the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, today announced the launch of its Sahara® Super Absorbent O.R. Table Sheet, an innovative new product designed to keep the skin of surgical patients dry in an effort to reduce the risk of skin maceration. The table sheet contains a special polymer core technology that rapidly wicks fluids away and locks them in the material.
The operating room is a high-risk environment for pressure ulcers – 66 percent of all hospital-acquired pressure ulcers occur in surgical patients.1 A variety of fluids are present during surgery, such as blood and those used for irrigation, which can pool and cause maceration. In these conditions, the skin can break down in as little as 20 minutes,2 making it more vulnerable to shear and friction, thereby increasing the risk of developing a pressure ulcer.
"The idea actually came from a member of our perioperative advisory board, who commented during a meeting that while she had been able to improve outcomes by adding new pressure redistribution table pads, gel positioners and skin care products, she still felt that there was a need for a product that addressed the pooling of fluids in the O.R.," said Alecia Cooper, M.B.A., R.N., C.N.O.R., senior vice president of clinical services for Medline. "Later in the meeting when we had a product demonstration on our super-absorbent underpads, she said 'You need to turn that into an O.R. table pad.' It was a great idea that we were immediately able to take to market."
Surgical patients are prone to develop pressure ulcers, particularly those undergoing procedures that last longer than two hours, such as heart surgery.3 The patient, while anesthetized, is unable to speak up and tell the doctor that pressure on tissue has become uncomfortable or that their skin is wet. Positioning and shifting the patient on the O.R table can cause shearing, increasing the risk that they will develop a pressure ulcer. Studies show that patients with pressure ulcers have up to six times as great a risk of death than those who do not develop pressure ulcers.4
The Sahara sheet measures 40" x 90" for full O.R. table coverage and has a quilted smooth surface that is highly absorbent. The reverse surface is impervious to blood and body fluids, which protects table pads and O.R. tables. And because it is disposable, it also protects against the risk of cross-contamination. It is accompanied by a super soft disposable lift sheet to aid in transfer, which further reduces the opportunity for friction and shear.
1 Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). Recommended practices for positioning the patient in the perioperative practice setting. Standards, Recommended Practices and Guidelines. Denver, Colo.: AORN Inc.; 2006.
2 Healthcare Purchasing News. Pressure Ulcers Hit a Sore Spot in the OR. Available at: http://www.hpnonline.com/inside/2007-08/0708-OR-pressure.html. Accessed March 11, 2009.
3 Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). Recommended practices for positioning the patient in the perioperative practice setting. Standards, Recommended Practices and Guidelines. Denver, Colo.: AORN Inc.; 2005.
4 Medical News Today. Healthcare Facilities Can Reduce Severity and Incidence of Pressure Ulcers, ECRI Says in New Report. Available at: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/57672.php. Accessed March 11, 2009.
About Medline
Medline, the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies and other markets. Headquartered in Mundelein, IL, Medline has more than 800 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.
Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 250 major hospitals and health care systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities, and on-staff clinicians.
Medline has a growing network of 34 distribution centers around the country, as well as an expanding, dedicated transportation fleet with over 160 vehicles in a variety of sizes to fit customers' specific delivery needs. The fleet is equipped with the latest navigation devices for enhanced order tracking and communication.