Are lap sponges washed and re-used?

[DylanAsdale]

So I ordered some lap sponges to use for everyday, around-the-house things. In this case, can they be washed, dried, and re-used multiple times without falling apart?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[MediCane2006]

One way to find out, right?

(I know some of our OR nurses take the opened, un-used ones home for household chores. But I can't imagine ORDERING them....why not just pick up some shop rags at Walmart for like two bucks a package?)

 

[Winged Scapula]

Yeah, why not get something cheaper at WalMart Dylan? You're taking this surgical obsession a little too far.

Unused and used lap pads are thrown away so we wouldn't know if they hold up to laundry, although I do have a few here for dusting (but haven't washed them).

 

[BlondeDocteur]

I grew up in a medical household, and I didn't know that lap pads *weren't* dust rags until I hit med school. 🙂

 

[JackADeli]

they are not uncommonly re-used for surgery in 3rd world nations.....
I have heard of car wash companies buying spent surgical sponges and towles....

 

[toxic-megacolon]

I grew up in a medical household, and I didn't know that lap pads *weren't* dust rags until I hit med school. 🙂

For our house it was blue towels!👍

 

[beefballs]

So I ordered some lap sponges to use for everyday, around-the-house things. In this case, can they be washed, dried, and re-used multiple times without falling apart?

why would you do this? Just grab a 99 cent roll of valu time paper towels

 

[maxheadroom]

Yeah, why not get something cheaper at WalMart Dylan? You're taking this surgical obsession a little too far.

Unused and used lap pads are thrown away so we wouldn't know if they hold up to laundry, although I do have a few here for dusting (but haven't washed them).

Listen to WS, grasshopper. You do not need sterile laps to dust the table.

 

[DylanAsdale]

Listen to WS, grasshopper. You do not need sterile laps to dust the table.

Well I was thinking of using them more along the lines for things like when i spill coffee/milk etc in my room. Instead of using paper towels (not because I want to save the environment, but because they cost money at all), why not just run water to get the majority of whatever it was out of them, and throw em in with the wash? My mom always complains about me using paper towels for redundant things, so I could stop wasting them so she can use them for whatever she deems them to be used for? =/

In effect, it saves money AND paper towels! However, I'm sort of starting to think that's just my excuse to use medical supplies as often as I can...

Also, @WS: What's wrong with being passionate? I just have a fascination with everything medical, I can't help it 🙁

 

[LucidSplash]

Well I was thinking of using them more along the lines for things like when i spill coffee/milk etc in my room. Instead of using paper towels (not because I want to save the environment, but because they cost money at all), why not just run water to get the majority of whatever it was out of them, and throw em in with the wash? My mom always complains about me using paper towels for redundant things, so I could stop wasting them so she can use them for whatever she deems them to be used for? =/

In effect, it saves money AND paper towels!

I'm fairly certain Max's point was that you don't need sterile lap pads that you ordered and paid for. You can just use any old washable, reusable rags.

However, I'm sort of starting to think that's just my excuse to use medical supplies as often as I can...

Also, @WS: What's wrong with being passionate? I just have a fascination with everything medical, I can't help it 🙁

Yes, we all understand that you're trying to use medical supplies in your everyday life. The point is that while there is nothing wrong with "passionate," you're crossing the line into weird and fixated. Our pals in the psychiatry forum have some great terms like "perseverating" which might apply here.

So yeah, not passionate. Weird. Weird and undatable. Develop some other interests and work on your game, as you'll desperately need both if you ever DO get into the medical field.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Well I was thinking of using them more along the lines for things like when i spill coffee/milk etc in my room. Instead of using paper towels (not because I want to save the environment, but because they cost money at all), why not just run water to get the majority of whatever it was out of them, and throw em in with the wash? My mom always complains about me using paper towels for redundant things, so I could stop wasting them so she can use them for whatever she deems them to be used for? =/

In effect, it saves money AND paper towels! However, I'm sort of starting to think that's just my excuse to use medical supplies as often as I can...

Also, @WS: What's wrong with being passionate? I just have a fascination with everything medical, I can't help it 🙁

The trouble is Dylan, this is NOT passionate. As LucidSplash says, this is weird and obsessive. We've all been in your shoes in terms of being excited about our future careers, but you are carrying it overboard. We're not trying to be mean but to help you see how your actions come across to the general populace and to surgeons.

I see your mother's point about not using paper towels but you can buy a pack of washcloths or car towels at WalMart for cheaper than lap pads and they work just as well (if not better since they are bigger).

 

[JackADeli]

...What's wrong with being passionate? I just have a fascination with everything medical, I can't help it...

Hence the recognition of your PATHOLOGY. Are you using a scalpel as a dinner knife? Maybe surgical instruments as cooking utensils? Order a case of surgilube for those occasions? Use surgical gowns as aprons when you grill?

It's one thing to get the stack of surgical towles that aren't used and will be thrown away..... out of frugality. What you describe is not frugality.

 

[dpmd]

I agree that going out of your way to obtain this stuff is creepy.

On a side note though. What non medical uses have you found for medical supplies?

One of my prior attendings used leftover (clean) laps as rags and yes, they can stand up to washing, the blue tape is handy for hanging it as well. He would also save leftover NS bottles for ice in coolers (also to hold a very tasty alcohol containing concoction).

I have a few leftover blue towels that I use as dishtowels that can do double duty for really dirty stuff since I don't care if it gets ruined. Holds up well in the laundry too. Washbasins and graduated cylinders work well for storage, but I would only use new ones, so I guess that crosses the line to stealing, as does my scalpel/box opener. Non stealing ideas are probably better.

 

[DylanAsdale]

1. Are you using a scalpel as a dinner knife?

2. Maybe surgical instruments as cooking utensils?

3. Order a case of surgilube for those occasions?

4. Use surgical gowns as aprons when you grill?

1. No.

2. No

3. I've never ordered it, but...

4. No

Anyway, I see it as more of a "trying to integrate surgical supplies" into my everyday life kind of thing. Getting used to the handling and care of surgical instruments will help me integrate that knowledge into my future in surgery, am I wrong? Learning how to suture, learning how to operate multiple surgical instruments, etc. What's wrong with that? It may seem "weird" and fruitless, but then again, is it really? Is it any different than someone who is passionate and simply wants to make their life more integrated with what they are passionate about? Chefs who turn their home kitchen into a restaurant kitchen and wear a chef's hat when cooking, etc? I've always been very passionate about things I am interested in, and although I may be slightly quirky by practicing suturing in my spare time, at least I'm not out smoking marijuana or drinking alcohol. I've NEVER ingested/smoked an illegal drug in my entire life, and I think that's pretty amazing for someone who is currently 18. If practicing suturing isn't illegal, and I'm not hurting anyone and I'm even learning something in the process, why insult me and tell me I'm creepy and undatable?

 

[smq123]

On a side note though. What non medical uses have you found for medical supplies?

I noticed a rip in my shirt while visiting a friend, and I didn't have a sewing kit....BUT I *did* have a few leftover prolenes in my bookbag. So I used the prolenes to stitch up my shirt until I could get to Wal-Mart and buy actual thread.

 

[deegs]

On a side note though. What non medical uses have you found for medical supplies?

I noticed a rip in my shirt while visiting a friend, and I didn't have a sewing kit....BUT I *did* have a few leftover prolenes in my bookbag. So I used the prolenes to stitch up my shirt until I could get to Wal-Mart and buy actual thread.

I've found that undyed 1-0 vicryl works well for the occasional repair to the old white coat.

My wife likes to use my practice needle drivers for pulling the hair guck out of the shower drain. (I'm frankly disgusted)

Flush syringes make great water guns....

I generally try to limit the amount of MRSA/VRE/C.Diff covered hospital supplies in my house.

 

[Buzz Me]

Flush syringes make great water guns....

Especially when you break the seal at the very beginning! Can really get some range with those suckers.

 

[Treg]

Back to the OP's original question:

We do large animal surgeries and have definitely washed and re-sterilized lap sponges (but not the really bloody ones). They can be bleached and don't generally fall apart.

All in the name of science 😉

The one thing I always wanted to steal from my lab (but haven't) is parafilm, it is way better than saran wrap.

Treg