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Patient Safety Straps in the Operating Room

While there have been many technological and procedural advances to surgery over the years, patient safety remains a top priority. Patient safety straps are used in the operating room to position and secure the patient, helping facilitate safe and successful procedures.  

In this article, we will define what patient safety straps are, what they are used for, what strapping is in a surgical context, and the benefits they provide towards minimizing risks for patients and promoting positive surgical outcomes.

What Are Patient Safety Straps? 

Patient safety straps are medical devices used in various environments in a medical facility or hospital, including during surgical procedures. They are typically made of strong, durable materials and come in a variety of options from surgical table straps for full-body immobilizatoin to armboard straps for extremity positioning. These straps are also available in a range of lengths and widths to accommodate patients of any size with different closure types such as hook-and-loop or buckles. Many options work with operating room tables with or without side rails. 

Additionally, straps are available in a wide array of disposable and reusable options to accommodate different protocols and patient needs. Disposable options for single-patient use are economical and easy to dispose of, helping to eliminate infection risk while reusable straps can be disinfected between patient use to reduce cross-contamination. 

What Are Patient Safety Straps Used For?

Patient safety straps are designed to secure, immobilize, and properly position patients on an operating room table, helping to reduce inadvertent shifting while providing safety and stabilization during a surgical procedure.This immobilization allows surgeons to perform procedures with optimum precision while providing unobstructed access to the surgical site.  

A Look at the Benefits of Patient Safety Straps 

The primary benefits of patient safety straps during surgical procedures are to properly secure and position patients as well as to provide safety for the patient. Paying specific attention to skin safety, areas prone to pressure, and infection control can help reduce any potential complications during surgery. Different straps offer different benefits to address these areas of concern and promote improved surgical outcomes. 

Choosing the Right Patient Safety Strap 

Choosing the right patient safety strap depends on your facility’s protocol as well as your patient’s specific needs.  

Reusable Patient Safety Straps: To prevent cross-contamination, reusable patient safety straps must be able to be fully disinfected. AliMed’s VeriClean™ O.R. Table Straps are the first surgical table straps with ultrasonically welded seams, allowing for complete and repeated submersion in high-level, central processing disinfectant. They are also free of punctures, holes, and stitching, leaving no place for bacteria to hide.

Disposable Patient Safety Straps: Disposable, single-patient use straps are another option for infection control in the operating room, preventing cross-contamination and saving time during cleanup for faster O.R. turnover. Versatile AliStrap® is a non-adhesive, back-to-back hook-and-loop strap available in pre-cut lengths for smaller positioning needs such as securing an arm to an armboard or cut-to-length rolls available in six different widths for infinite usage. AliMed® Universal Straps are another versatile disposable option with a strong hook-and-loop closure for patient security available in multiple widths and lengths to accommodate patients of any size and tables with or without side rails.

Bariatric Patient Safety Straps: For larger patients, bariatric safety straps may be required in order to ensure the safety and security of the patient. Designed to accommodate the size and weight of bariatric patients, these straps often feature a mid-panel to help with redistribution of pressure across the abdomen. Many styles are also available in reusable and disposable options.  

Patient Safety Straps for Sensitive or Damaged Skin: For pediatric or geriatric patients especially, it is important to use a strap that won’t damage or irritate skin. AliStrap® Soft combines the strength and security of AliStrap® with a softer, fully padded surface that is gentler against delicate or fragile skin. It also has a built-in foam layer nestled between the hook and loop, providing extra protection and comfort for patients who need it most. 

Armboard Straps: AliMed® Reusable Armboard Straps are easy to clean using disinfectant and comfortable against skin, featuring a broad surface area that reduces pressure points on the arm. For single-patient use, AliMed® Soft-Touch Armboard Straps are ultra-smooth, offering maximum comfort and fragile skin protection in an economical, single-use strap.

Patient safety is a top priority in healthcare, and patient safety straps are just one of the many essential tools used by healthcare professionals in the operating room to achieve this goal. By facilitating proper positioning, patient safety straps can help improve surgical outcomes, reduce the risk of complications, and play a critical role in allowing for the best possible patient experience. 

Along with a full line of Patient Safety Straps, AliMed also offers a range of reusable and disposable Patient Positioners for all your surgical positioning needs.