‘Real’ question raised on patched new gowns

‘Real’ question raised on patched new gowns I read with equal parts interest and astonishment the question concerning patched OR gowns in the February 1982 AORN Journal. Apparently the “expert” is out of touch with your own AORN Journal, which in June 1981 reportedthe results of a test entitled ”Effectsof patching on sterilization of surgical textiles” (1249- 1261). While it is not my intention to support or not support the question of selling “rejected” materials with slight imperfections in them, I am nonetheless amazed that the real question of achieved barrier quality went begging by the expert. I respect the scientific capability of William C Beck, MD, but don’t, for a second, allow Dr Beck to go unchallenged in stating so imperially that “selling second rate, repaired materials is penurious.” The real question, which was never addressed by Dr Beck, nor AORN, is whether barrier quality is still achieved regardlessof the patch. Your expert could have consulted the June AORN Journal and found the answer. Using only the worst possible conditiongravity displacement steam sterilizingsurgical reusables can be patched as long as the surface area occluded is less than 20%. Rather than attempting to denigrate the unnamed manufacturer by the use of words such as “second” and ”retreads,” it would have been much more scientifically accurate and honest to have quoted some of the conclusions from the accepted research study partially sponsored by your own organization. Bruce A Johnson Manager of marketing

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Textile Rental Services Association of America Hallandale. Fla Response: Were it not for the fact that Johnson attacked my “scientific honesty,” I would not think it necessary to respond to his letter in which he equated the barrier quality of patched surgical gowns to the effect of patching on sterilization as described in the splendid article by V W Greene and his associates in the June 1981 Journal. Yes, I had read Professor Greene’s article, and in the August 1981 issue, AORN Journal (page 308) I expressed certain caveats to that article. Furthermore,there is a difference between applying patches to reused materials and the sale of patched new gowns. In an operating room, we deserve to be furnished with top quality materials, not with second rate ones. William C Beck, MD, FACS President Donald Guthrie Foundation for Medical Research Sayre, Pa

Manufacturer defends plastic incise drape The March 1982 AORN Journal contained a review of the session on postsurgical sepsis held during the American College of Surgeons (ACS) meeting last October. As part of this session, specific comments regarding plastic adherent skin drapes were made. These remarks, taken without further elaboration, misrepresent the documented clinical performance of plastic incise drapes. It has been well documented by indepen-

AORN Journal, May 1982, V o l 3 5 , No 6