Stylets and needle safety
A simple and effective way of avoiding sharps injury without a cork or tube.
Processing Devices
Read about FDA processing guidance
Effects of Non-Condensable Gases (NCGs) on Steam Sterilisation Processes
“A study conducted by Prof. von Eiff of University of Münster in hospitals in North Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony revealed that, in particular, 40% of hollow instruments released for use were not sterile (4). One reason for such problems is that the classic biological and/or well-integrated chemical indicators can attest to the sterility of supplies only at those locations at which they are positioned. But in general these indicators cannot be placed at those sites within the instrument which are most difficult to access, hence the established practice of using such indicators is not suitable for providing insights into the sterility of lumened devices.”
Brasil 2nd Congress
Brian Skellie at the 2ND Educational Congress for Professional Body Piercers in Brasil
Titanium body jewelry
What Titanium materials are best for body jewelry? My articles at http://jewelry.piercing.org/ and http://brnskll.com/shares/titanium-standards-why-not-g23/ explain that the two most effective Titanium standards are alloyed ASTM F136 and pure ASTM F67, the most common being the former as it is stronger, harder and easier to polish. Both are used for permanent surgical implants.
Disposable wrap
Can unused wrapped items be re-sterilized reusing the original wraps?
Returning explants to patients
In developing a policy on the return of explants to patients [or previously worn body jewelry to clients] there are many concerns and issues that need to be considered and addressed.
Sharpies for labeling
“Most Sharpies have not been validated for industrial usage or for use in the sterilization conditions. There are a couple of Sharpie markers that do conform to the ASTM standard D4236 which means the product has been evaluated by a toxicologist for acute and chronic toxicity and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) identifies ingredients as presenting any chronic health hazard, along with safe use instructions. The pens that bear the AP seal with the notation “conforms to ASTM D4236″ (see right) are the markers that may be used for labeling your packages.”
SciCan STATIM G4 Installation instructions
How to set up your new Statim G4 autoclave by SciCan
How to relate a certificate of tests (Mill Certificate) to an appropriate standard
Learn how to relate a certificate of tests (Mill Certificate) to an appropriate standard for body jewelry
If it is not clean it can not be sterilized
Equipment must be cleaned before sterilization. Heat fixes blood fibrin to instrument surfaces, and should not be used prior to cleaning. Reprocessing should be done according to evidence based scientific recommendations.
JHU Infection Prevention Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities with Limited Resources
Links: Some educational infection prevention materials for body artists
APP for Nonconformists
Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world.
— “Self Reliance,” Ralph Waldo Emerson
You may find this conversation interesting or useful as a colleague if you are on the fence about joining the Association of Professional Piercers. (more…)
OPTIM 33TB details
A bit more detail about OPTIM 33TB cleaner disinfectant
Learn about sea salt
Have you ever visited a salt evaporation pond? It was enough to dissuade me from any desire to put unrefined sea salt in an open wound.
LESS THAN 30 DAYS UNTIL THE APP CONFERENCE!
30 days left to prepare for the 17th annual APP Conference!
Glass as a material for body jewelry
Among jewelry materials for initial piercing, glass deserves a closer look.
Understanding the hazards of handling and mixing chemicals in the studio
Understanding the hazards of handling and mixing chemicals is essential to safe use.
Preventing complications: When sterile gloves are necessary
Body art procedures can benefit from sterile-barrier precautions, even if they are not as complicated as modern surgical procedures.
Sterile Gloves first in 1897 by W Z Manteuffel
The surgeon who first advocated sterilized gloves
Hand Hygiene — NEJM
Hand Hygiene — NEJM. Complete with interesting video Hand Hygiene Yves Longtin, M.D., Hugo Sax, M.D., Benedetta Allegranzi, M.D., Franck Schneider, and …
How smooth is smooth enough? Surface finish standards for body jewelry
I propose that body jewelry manufacturers state the Roughness of their surface finish clearly in Metric or Imperial measurements.
New interview in Portuguese
A short interview of Brian Skellie by colleagues at Soul Tattoo
AAMI, AORN, APIC Issue Immediate Use Sterilization Statement
STATIM is not “flash sterilization” and the term should no longer be used in reference to sterilization cycles for unwrapped items.
useful info on antimicrobials
http://www.fightgermsnow.com/ A useful collection of scientific studies on antimicrobial use in clinical and home settings.
