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Infection from surgery

Posted , 5 users are following.

faroboy
faroboy

Does anyone know how likely it is to get an infection from the use of non-sterilized equipment.??

They gave me antibiotics b/c they discovered the arthroscope they used was non-sterilized

i was supposed to take steroid pills to help prevent or reduce the scar tissue from my surgery. but now that im forced to take antibiotics, they cancelled the steroid pills b/c it would have a negative effect in case there is inflamation.

Would the steroids have helped in preventing arthrofibrosis??

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 faroboy

    Posted

    That is one problem I have never seen or heard. I would say the prophylactic action would be very close to 100% sure. Terribly sorry for the trauma this has to be causing you. Try not to worry and within a couple of weeks you should be past the n÷d for concern
  • leighanna1127
    leighanna1127 faroboy

    Posted

    To be honest... I wouldn't trust anyone who doesn't use sterilized equipment, most of the times infections get in cause it may have not been cleared properly from its last usage.sorry you are going through this. 
  • Annodoremouse
    Annodoremouse faroboy

    Posted

    In 50 years of nursing Ive never heard or seen non sterilised equipment used. 

    Also the precautions taken to ensure the equipment is sterile.

    All the instruments are packed in sealed packs. the seal, to look at, is similar to masking tape they go through the autoclave. When it comes out of the autoclave the seal is striped with brown stripes. All this is checked.

    If any prothesis is used i.e. knee or hip, these are in a sealed airtight bag inside of an airtight bag. On the outside is the manufacturer, the date it was manufactured, a Lot number, that it is sterile and the expiry date.

    However the theatre staff dont cant be checked! are their hands clean, are their gloves dirty, have thery touched  a dirty trolly, or the patient. Even the scrub nurse may have touched something. 

    As  for the drugs youve been prescribed I suggest you talk to a pharmacist as you have got things totally mixed up

    • Irish_Al
      Irish_Al Annodoremouse

      Posted

      Hi Faroboy,

      I totally agree with Annodoremouse. This is totally unacceptable and some form of corrective and preventative action is required by the hospital / clinic.

      I worked in the manufacture of implantable medical devices for 21 years, as both Manufacturing Manager and Quality Manager.

      The emphasis, importance and cost associated with sterilisation is huge. I attended a couple of surgeries over the years and there was a sterile and non-sterile nurse and segregated areas. The implants were doubled packaged, so as the sterile nurse never handled the outer packaging.

      I have hosted several on-site FDA inspections/audits and the most critical part was always the sterilisation records, sampling, validation protocols and reports along with observing processes and handling. Most Med Dev manufacturers physically lock implants away until effective sterilisation has been checked and verified by qualified microbiologists.

      Believe me, these big companies would not go through the pain and costs associated with sterilisation unless it was essential.

      I have an acquaintance in a Dublin hospital who is the manager of a cleaning and sterilisation section of surgery utensils. Their procedures are rigorous.

      Take care of yourself first and foremost. Get professional and independant input.

      But this issue needs to be raised loudly and/ or legally to ensure that effective preventative action is taken to ensure this does not happen again.

      Sorry for my tone, but this is totally unacceptable and must be stopped.

      Best wishes,

      Kind Regards,

      Alan

  • Annodoremouse
    Annodoremouse faroboy

    Posted

    You have forgotten about airbourne infections!
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 Annodoremouse

      Posted

      Where have you been the last 6 months. I thought you were out training for marathons. Good to see your input again.

      I am a little confused. I thought he was talking about the scope used foe investigative surgery and suddenly this has turned into the actual prosthesis being contaminated. I developed staph from a secondary surgery. It was diagnosed as epistaph which of course, is from a wayward hair folical or piece of skin. No matter the sterilization process, there is always the possibility. As you may recall, last March I had to have the prosthesis removed, a spacer inserted, leg immobilized for 4 monthe......then the 3rd prosthesis installed, immobilized for 1 more month and the re had started. I had to hobble around on a walker for a total of 5 months with 25% weight bearing and of course, 0 flex. 11 months later still rehabbing. After doing due diligence on infections, sources and discussions with a nephew who is an infection disease Dr, we all have enough staph in our bodies to kill us, it's our own immune system that fights it off without needing drugs. Unfortunately, I am lacking what it takes in that area.....plus. Many more I'm afraid.

      Good to hear from the insider again. Hope you are doing well.

    • Annodoremouse
      Annodoremouse Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Hi, Yes Im still going strong Ive been working in the allotment over the past few months. Everything dug & planted.

      Having worked in theatres I kow how strict they are about the sterile instruments. However the staff could be a problem. My Mum dies after a hip replacement was infected. Was the infection due to staff in theatre or on the ward doing the dressing. 

      My knee replacement was perfect, the only thing I dont do is running as high impact could damage the knee

      Take care

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 Annodoremouse

      Posted

      I haven't run in years and don't kneel. I put in over 100 flowers this spring by bend at the waist and put down over 2 cu yrds of mulch. Lugging those 40 lb bags with a bad leg put a lot of strain on my back. Getting a few chiropractor visit in to take those kinks out and I'll be o.k. we had out of town company for a week and as I've told you before, my wife is no longer able to cook anything more complicated than a bowl of oatmeal so I had lots of meals to fix. Everyone gone, life somewhat back to normal and leg continues to strengthen. My surgeon told me instead of the one year to ownership, I would be 2 due to all the serious surgeries I've had. As I'm now pushing 80 I guess I can only expect so much. I used to think I needed a miracle......maybe I got it and just didn't recognize it.

      You take care.

  • faroboy
    faroboy

    Posted

    this is my 3rd surgery with this doctor. I looked into it. If i end up getting an infection then i can sue.

    I don't want to see. i just want my knee fixed.

    Pray for me. this was the second attempt at fixing an extension lag

    • Annodoremouse
      Annodoremouse faroboy

      Posted

      We have a different system in England with the NHS. Your GP referres you to an orthopaedic department that is fully staffed from Consultant to specialist nurses and a physio dept. 

      Any sugery is fully discussed with you and all the risks are explained. 

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