.: Benefits of C-Armor
Complies with AORN standards and Prevents Breach of Sterile Field
Half sheet draping provides only 3 sided protection; AORN recommends 5 sided protection for non-sterile equipment introduced into the sterile field.
Recommended Practice AORN 2009
(e.g., Mayo stands, microscopes, C-arms) should be covered with sterile barrier material(s) before being introduced to or brought into a sterile field. The equipment should be covered with a barrier material on the top, bottom, and all sides.)
Reduces Costly Infection Risk
The average cost of a Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is approximately $33,000*. As of October 2008, hospitals can no longer bill for certain Hospital Acquired
Infections (HAI). C-Armor protects the sterile field and efficiently transitions the
c-arm from an A/P to lateral image.
By definition half sheet draping breaches the sterile field. The number of sterile field breaches is a known risk for surgical site infection
Actively striving to prevent SSIs benefits the patient and the hospital. Surgeons will appreciate the investment in sterility to prevent SSI in their patients.
Saves valuable O.R. Time and reduces biohazard waste
Retrieving half sheets, opening them, and stopping the case to unfold half sheets
wastes valuable time and money at $30-$45/minute**. Use of multiple half sheets
contributes a significant volume of material to red bag/biohazard waste
contributing to additional O.R. expense. By draping only once during a
procedure, C-Armor improves efficiency and saves money for each case in which
it is employed.
The expense of C-armor relative to a half sheet is more than accounted for by
reducing surgical site infection risk(33K); saving valuable operating
time($40/min), reducing biohazard waste($), the cost of multiple drapes($7-$15
avg), and decreasing surgeon, nurse, scrub and c-arm technician frustration and providing a safer environment for the patient… PRICELESS!
*Infection Control Hospital Epidemiology 23(4) 183-189, 2002
**Walton Hancock – Hospital Systems, Impacts on Cost and Quality
.: Help Prevent Surgical Site Infection
FACT: The method used at your institution to drape the unsterile portion of the C-arm is unstandardized, wastes time, wastes material, breaches the sterile field, diverts attention away from the patient, and increases the risk of surgical site infection.
• J. Hosp Infection 2006 62(2) 174-80
• Clinical Orthop Rel Res. 1975 108:158-60
• J. Hosp Infection 2006 62(2) 174-80
FACT: Current draping methods do not meet standards.
AORN standards state that Non-Sterile Equipment such as Mayo stands, microscopes, and C-arms should be covered with sterile barrier materials before being introduced to or brought into a sterile field. The equipment needs to be covered with a barrier material on the top, bottom, and on all sides in order to be considered sterile.
Recommended Practice AORN, 2009
.: C-Armor Testimonials
Hear what some users are saying about their experiences using C-Armor:
"I've used the C-Armor and really feel like it is a quality product. Every orthopedic surgeon who uses fluoroscopy has many things to worry about other than maintaining the sterility of the C-arm. And every time the C-arm goes under the table to achieve a lateral x-ray there is a possibility for contamination. I think that breaks in sterility happen more than we realize. The C-Armor drape is simple and easy to use. It can be quickly opened and closed with one hand. I know that I would much rather worry about fracture fixation than deal with clipping and unclipping a half-sheet multiple times per surgery. This product allows me the luxury of knowing that my C-arm is sterile." -Emily Benson, MD - Ventura California
"The C-Armor is a problem solver. It saves me time and gives me the confidence that we are maintaining our sterile field during our lateral rotations. I couldn't imagine going back to old draping methods." -Jake Heiney, MD - Orthopedic Surgeon, Toledo Ohio
"My focus is on the patient. C-Armor allows me to keep my attention where it should be, on the patient!" -Chad Warren, MD - Orthopedic Surgeon, Everett Washington
"I love it! It's simple and it works!" -Kevin Murphy, MD - Orthopedic Surgeon, Portland Oregon
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