Vernacare’s new Vernatray - a single-use anaesthetic medication safety tray - has won the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) 2010 award for Best Innovation in Patient Safety.
The Vernatray was developed by medical products manufacturer Vernacare in partnership with NHS Innovations South West and frontline theatre practitioners to provide safer care in the hospital environment – particularly for anaesthetists and perioperative care practitioners.
It is intended to replace plastic and stainless steel trays where the medication is stored in one single compartment. The Vernatray has six individual channels to ensure the correct alignment of syringes, with larger channels for 30ml+ syringes, and has a separate storage area for ampoules and sharps. This makes it easier for clinicians to locate the correct syringe and medication, therefore reducing the risk of errors.
The single-use Vernatray, made of biodegradable pulp, also helps avoids infection risks associated with re-using plastic and stainless steel receptacles. It saves cleaning time and improves environmental performance because the vessel can be simply disposed of in clinical waste or via maceration.
The Association for Perioperative Practice stated that the majority of critical incidents in anaesthesia arise from human error. They reported 128,000 patient safety incidents from surgical specialities from October 2006 to September 2007.
Jane Kent, new product development manager for Vernacare, said: “The Vernatray makes it easier for theatre staff to locate the relevant equipment and reduces the risk of incorrect medication being administered. It is a pulp product made from recycled newspaper, making it both robust and stable, as well as environmentally sustainable.”
The new tray makes it easier to perform the Surgical Safety Checklist, following the WHO “Safe Surgery Saves Lives” Global Patient Safety Challenge. This recommends: “Verification of the completion of an anaesthesia safety checklist is required to confirm the formal inspection of the anaesthetic equipment, medications and the patient’s anaesthetic risk.”
Evaluation of the Vernatray has been carried out at four UK hospitals, with 99% of clinicians reporting that they found it easier to correctly identify labels on syringes and 100% of respondents stating that the syringes were stable in the tray.
Commenting on the Vernacare award, the judges said: “The Vernatray is user-led and the first of its type. It addresses real clinical need and demonstrates value of clinical engagement in development and evaluation. The Vernatray is a good example of partnership working and innovation, and demonstrates evidence of customer participation in product development. It is a practical design, improves infection control and is environmentally friendly.”
To register for free samples of the Vernatray or set up a trial email vcorders@vernagroup.com or contact 01204 555999, www.vernacare.co.uk
