The results of the survey were presented during HealthPack 2008 in March by Jennifer Neid. Neid, a Certified Packaging Professional, serves as the Chair of the IoPP Medical Device Packaging Technical Committee's Education Task Group, and is the Upper Midwest/Canadian account manager for Tolas Healthcare Packaging.
"The purpose of the survey was to gain a better understanding of what nurses go through, to get feedback, and to make packaging better and easier for end users," said Neid. More than 200 people responded to the survey, with a high percentage of them aged 51 or more, with 21+ years of experience.
Nearly 60% of respondents identified themselves as Registered Nurses, 37% as having a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and about 2% as Licensed Practical Nurses. About 90% of the survey respondents indicated that they work in hospitals. The remaining 10% work in outpatient centers. With more outpatient procedures being done, this was seen as an area of growth for medical treatment and personnel. Three of four respondents indicated they worked in urban environments.
One of the survey's findings was that nurses are not always clear on terms used frequently in packaging, indicating a need for education and clarification from the packaging community.
Packaging specifics
Asked what form of packaging OR nurses prefer, 60% of respondents selected formed rigid trays with lids, while 19% said flexible pouches, 14% indicated header bags (clear film bags with a white Tyvek opening strip on one end), while 6% said formed flexible packaging with lids (syringe type).
Another question asked respondents to rank eight different medical device package considerations on a scale of one to eight, with one being the most important. For those responding with a one (most important), here is respondents listed the package considerations:
1. Easily read text/font labeling
2. Speed of opening package
3. Manufacturer's instructions for use provided via Web
4. Manufacturer's instructions for use in every package
5. Smallest possible package
6. Color-coded labeling
7. Consistent package sizes
8. Least amount of packaging waste
It should be noted that the top two considerations--easily read text/font labeling and speed of opening package--received more than twice the votes of the two manufacturer's instructions choices. The last four considerations received single votes.
Among the other survey findings were the following:
• Double sterile barrier pouches (a tray within a tray or a pouch within a pouch) were preferred nine to one compared with single sterile barrier packs for long-term implantable devices. Neid mentioned that such added barrier characteristics also add to the package's expense. "During a procedure, a single sterile barrier package is acceptable as long as it maintains device sterility," she said.
• For medical device products where the package size or style is selected during a surgical procedure, 84% preferred a double barrier package, with 16% choosing a single-barrier pack.
• Double pouches and double trays were the most preferred sterile package for sterile medical products/implants.
• "Dumping" or "flipping" a product from its package onto the sterile field was seen as an acceptable technique or practice by 57% of respondents.
• Among the recurring packaging issues expressed by respondents: Trays with snaps become more difficult to open as they age. Header bags are hard to open. Chevron-style pouches are not understood by some nurses. Ease of opening needs to be focused on even more.
• The most likely reasons to question the sterility of a product and/or package, were holes, dirt/hair/foreign materials, dents, fold/crease marks, and scuff/scrape marks.
• Sterility indicators and expiration dates were ranked as very important in labeling medical devices.
• In responding to how packaging material is disposed of at their facility, about four of five respondents said it went into the trash, while only 5% said it was red bag waste, which was seen as a surprisingly low figure. About 12% said that used packaging was separated or stored for recycling.
• Survey respondents offered the following packaging suggestions: add slip grips on the bottom of trays, provide a color change on the seal upon opening the package to indicate a breach, and "to stop using cheap material on the outer packaging. Most of the products arriving on the dock today are falling apart before they begin to reach the end user."
Not surprisingly, that comment addresses an ongoing economic conundrum: How do medical device makers deliver more user-friendly package features when their customers are often trying to reign in costs?
Neid pointed out that information gleaned from this survey would serve as "learning points. This is just the beginning." It was suggested that future surveys could gather opinions from "different communities of nurses."
In a question-and-answer session following the presentation, audience members discussed suggested working with package suppliers and with buying groups when looking at cost/pricing issues. AORN past president Mary Jo Steiert noted, "OR nurses have a huge influence on purchasing, and on influencing surgeons. They still have power."
--By Jim Butschli, Editor
"The purpose of the survey was to gain a better understanding of what nurses go through, to get feedback, and to make packaging better and easier for end users," said Neid. More than 200 people responded to the survey, with a high percentage of them aged 51 or more, with 21+ years of experience.
Nearly 60% of respondents identified themselves as Registered Nurses, 37% as having a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and about 2% as Licensed Practical Nurses. About 90% of the survey respondents indicated that they work in hospitals. The remaining 10% work in outpatient centers. With more outpatient procedures being done, this was seen as an area of growth for medical treatment and personnel. Three of four respondents indicated they worked in urban environments.
One of the survey's findings was that nurses are not always clear on terms used frequently in packaging, indicating a need for education and clarification from the packaging community.
Packaging specifics
Asked what form of packaging OR nurses prefer, 60% of respondents selected formed rigid trays with lids, while 19% said flexible pouches, 14% indicated header bags (clear film bags with a white Tyvek opening strip on one end), while 6% said formed flexible packaging with lids (syringe type).
Another question asked respondents to rank eight different medical device package considerations on a scale of one to eight, with one being the most important. For those responding with a one (most important), here is respondents listed the package considerations:
1. Easily read text/font labeling
2. Speed of opening package
3. Manufacturer's instructions for use provided via Web
4. Manufacturer's instructions for use in every package
5. Smallest possible package
6. Color-coded labeling
7. Consistent package sizes
8. Least amount of packaging waste
It should be noted that the top two considerations--easily read text/font labeling and speed of opening package--received more than twice the votes of the two manufacturer's instructions choices. The last four considerations received single votes.
Among the other survey findings were the following:
• Double sterile barrier pouches (a tray within a tray or a pouch within a pouch) were preferred nine to one compared with single sterile barrier packs for long-term implantable devices. Neid mentioned that such added barrier characteristics also add to the package's expense. "During a procedure, a single sterile barrier package is acceptable as long as it maintains device sterility," she said.
• For medical device products where the package size or style is selected during a surgical procedure, 84% preferred a double barrier package, with 16% choosing a single-barrier pack.
• Double pouches and double trays were the most preferred sterile package for sterile medical products/implants.
• "Dumping" or "flipping" a product from its package onto the sterile field was seen as an acceptable technique or practice by 57% of respondents.
• Among the recurring packaging issues expressed by respondents: Trays with snaps become more difficult to open as they age. Header bags are hard to open. Chevron-style pouches are not understood by some nurses. Ease of opening needs to be focused on even more.
• The most likely reasons to question the sterility of a product and/or package, were holes, dirt/hair/foreign materials, dents, fold/crease marks, and scuff/scrape marks.
• Sterility indicators and expiration dates were ranked as very important in labeling medical devices.
• In responding to how packaging material is disposed of at their facility, about four of five respondents said it went into the trash, while only 5% said it was red bag waste, which was seen as a surprisingly low figure. About 12% said that used packaging was separated or stored for recycling.
• Survey respondents offered the following packaging suggestions: add slip grips on the bottom of trays, provide a color change on the seal upon opening the package to indicate a breach, and "to stop using cheap material on the outer packaging. Most of the products arriving on the dock today are falling apart before they begin to reach the end user."
Not surprisingly, that comment addresses an ongoing economic conundrum: How do medical device makers deliver more user-friendly package features when their customers are often trying to reign in costs?
Neid pointed out that information gleaned from this survey would serve as "learning points. This is just the beginning." It was suggested that future surveys could gather opinions from "different communities of nurses."
In a question-and-answer session following the presentation, audience members discussed suggested working with package suppliers and with buying groups when looking at cost/pricing issues. AORN past president Mary Jo Steiert noted, "OR nurses have a huge influence on purchasing, and on influencing surgeons. They still have power."
--By Jim Butschli, Editor
