University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers

Infection Control & Epidemiology

Flowchart: Use of Suture Needles in the Operating Room

(Example of a process review in order to identify areas for improvement)

Open Suture Needle

Package (peel pouch) Additional needle
counter needed?

Ongoing Needle Count

YES

Load on Needle Holder Continue

NO using existing
Decision made by
needle
Nurse/Tech?
counter
NO (double load)

Immediate/ NO Place on
Emergent Use? stand YES

Get new
YES needle
counter

Pass to
Surgeon

Counting
needles
Physician
suturing
technique

Discard needle
counter

Discarding of Pass needle

needle by to scrub Staff who need to be involved
nurse
surgeon in improvement activities:

Surgeon
Scrub Nurse
Place needle Circulation Nurse
on surgical OR Tech
field

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