5 Reasons To Ditch The Tissue Log Book

Why should you stop tissue tracking with a log book?

Everyone who works in an OR knows all about The Joint Commission and the FDA. They are the ones that make up the rules about how we handle implantable tissue and medical devices in our facilities. Perioperative nurses are the primary advocates for their patient’s safety. We all know that the rules are evidence-based and exist for the safety and protection of our patients—however, that is not to say that sometimes following and interpreting the rules is always easy, and can contribute to a few grey hairs. Until recently, the tracking of implantable tissue and medical devices was, at best, inconsistent and incomplete.  A report  for the first half of 2010 issued by The Joint Commission showed that only 28% of hospitals surveyed were compliant in using standardized procedures for managing tissue!  Champion Medical addressed the tracking challenge and offers two products that help hospitals meet regulatory compliance. Here are five reasons for you to upgrade your old tissue logbook to GraftTracker® or UDITracker®.

1. Ensure Joint Commission Compliance

UDITracker® and GraftTracker® were designed from the ground up to meet The Joint Commission Hospital & Laboratory Accreditation tissue tracking Standards for simplified compliance. Since their implementation in hospitals around the country, our customers have not only been compliant, but honored for their peak level of performance. With UDITracker® and GraftTracker®, specifically requested reports and logs can be accessed and produced in seconds during your next site visit from The Joint Commission. Compliance has never been easier!

2. Save Time & Money

Checking out-dates is time consuming and potentially costly in terms of very expensive implantable device products lost and staff productivity. No more worrying about assigning staff to the task–UDITracker® / GraftTracker® automatically notifies you up to 90 days prior to the expiration date of your tissue and implantable devices. You’ll never again lose money due to items that expire on the shelf!

3. Speed Up Recall Investigations

Untimely manufacturer recalls coupled with the arduous task of investigating can be futile. Even using multiple staff members; the task can take weeks or months to complete, if the information is found at all. When you log into your UDITracker® / GraftTracker® program, you will find the most up-to-date recall notices from the FDA right on your desktop. In seconds, RecallConnect™ will locate all recalled items, not only in your available inventory, but will notify you of inventory that has been implanted or discarded as well.

4. Focus on Patients

Are your circulating nurses spending time out of the OR and away from their patient when searching for a particular tissue product that may not even exist in your inventory? UDITracker® / GraftTracker®‘s search capabilities allow them to search available inventory by multiple means, including product type, product code or ID/Serial/Lot number. Search results will provide the available inventory level and location in seconds.

5. Reduce Files & Paper

Hand-written forms, ledgers, spiral notebooks, temperature logs, Excel spreadsheets and supplier provided forms produce VOLUMES of paper and electronic files. UDITracker® /GraftTracker® traces every step of your implantable device inventory; from receipt to final use or disposition in one safe, easy to access format.

Don’t just take our word for it, click here to read what our customers have to say.