Packaging Surgical Instrument Sets

The packaging workflow is where you'll spend most of your time in AtmosTrack. This is where you prepare surgical instrument sets by scanning containers and adding the correct instruments for each surgery.

How Packaging Works

Your Daily Process

1. Receive dirty instruments from operating rooms
2. Clean and inspect instruments (outside of AtmosTrack)
3. Scan container to start packaging process in AtmosTrack
4. Scan each instrument as you place it in the container
5. Verify completeness before sealing and sterilizing
6. Send to sterilization with complete tracking

Why Use AtmosTrack for Packaging

• Prevent missing instruments in surgery
• Track every item from start to finish
• Speed up your workflow with barcode scanning
• Reduce errors with automatic checking
• Meet quality standards and compliance requirements

Starting Your Packaging Work

Selecting a Container

Step 1: Choose Your Department

• Look at the left side of your screen
• Find the department you're working with (OR 1-5, ICU, Emergency, etc.)
• Click on the department to see available containers

Step 2: Select a Container

• You'll see a list of containers that need packaging
• Each container shows:
  • Container name and type
  • Current status (Clean, In Progress, etc.)
  • Department it belongs to
  • Any special notices or alerts

Step 3: Scan or Click the Container

• Either scan the container's barcode with your scanner
• Or click on the container in the list
• The container will be highlighted and ready for instruments

Understanding Container Information

When you select a container, you'll see:

• Container Details: Name, barcode, and current status
• Required Instruments: Complete list of what should be included
• Missing Items: Red highlights show what you still need to add
• Progress: Visual indicator of how many items are complete

Adding Instruments to Containers

Basic Scanning Process

Step 1: Scan the Instrument

• Use your barcode scanner to scan each instrument
• AtmosTrack immediately recognizes what you scanned
• The system checks if the instrument belongs in this container

Step 2: Visual Confirmation

• Green checkmark = Instrument added successfully
• Red warning = Wrong instrument for this container
• Yellow alert = Instrument needs attention (maintenance, etc.)

Step 3: Continue Until Complete

• Keep scanning instruments until all items are green
• The progress indicator shows how close you are to completion
• Missing items remain highlighted in red

What Happens When You Scan

Correct Instrument:

• ✅ Instrument is automatically added to the container
• Counter updates to show progress
• Visual confirmation with green highlight
• Automatic scroll to show the added item

Wrong Instrument:

• ❌ Warning message appears
• Instrument is not added to container
• Suggestion for where the instrument might belong
• No changes made to your current container

Duplicate Instrument:

• ⚠️ System alerts you that this instrument is already in the container
• Prevents double-counting
• Asks if you want to replace or ignore

Working with Different Instrument Levels

Some containers have instruments organized by levels:

Level 1 Instruments: Basic surgical tools (forceps, scissors) Level 2 Instruments: Specialized instruments (clamps, retractors)
Level 3 Instruments: Advanced or procedure-specific tools

How to work with levels:

• Use the level tabs at the top of the instrument list
• Each level shows its own required instruments
• Scan instruments for the active level you're working on
• Switch levels by clicking the tabs or using keyboard shortcuts

Quality Control and Validation

Automatic Checking

AtmosTrack automatically checks for:

• Missing Instruments: Red highlighting shows what's still needed
• Extra Instruments: Warns if you've added something that doesn't belong
• Damaged Items: Alerts for instruments marked for maintenance
• Expired Items: Flags instruments past their service date

Before Sending to Sterilization

Final Checklist:

1. All required instruments are green (added)
2. No red warnings for missing items
3. Container status shows "Ready for Sterilization"
4. Any special notices have been acknowledged

Manual Override:

• If an instrument is unavailable, you can mark it as "Substituted"
• Add a note explaining why (broken, in maintenance, etc.)
• System tracks these exceptions for quality reporting

Working Efficiently

Speed Tips for Busy Periods

Use Your Scanner Effectively:

• Keep scanner close and easily accessible
• Scan barcodes straight and steady
• Clean scanner lens regularly for reliable reading

Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Tab key moves between sections
• Enter key confirms selections
• Escape key cancels current action
• Arrow keys navigate lists

Batch Processing:

• Work on similar containers together
• Group instruments by type when possible
• Use the search function for specific instruments

Multi-User Coordination

When Multiple People Are Working:

• AtmosTrack updates in real-time across all computers
• You'll see if someone else is working on a container
• System prevents conflicts and duplicate work
• Changes appear immediately for all users

Shift Handoffs:

• Containers in progress are clearly marked
• Previous shift's work is preserved
• Add notes for the next shift about incomplete items
• Status updates help coordinate between teams

Handling Special Situations

Problem Instruments

Instrument Won't Scan:

• Try cleaning the barcode label
• Manually type the instrument number
• Check if the instrument is in the system
• Contact your supervisor for unknown instruments

Instrument Needs Maintenance:

• System alerts you with a yellow warning
• Remove instrument from packaging
• Follow your hospital's maintenance procedure
• System tracks maintenance needs automatically

Missing Required Instrument:

• Check other containers in the same department
• Look for suitable substitutions
• Document the reason for the missing item
• Follow your hospital's substitution protocol

Emergency Situations

Urgent Surgery Needs:

• Use the priority flag for emergency containers
• System highlights urgent items in red
• Skip non-essential instruments if necessary
• Document emergency exceptions for quality review

Equipment Problems:

• If scanner stops working, you can type barcodes manually
• System works without internet for short periods
• All data syncs automatically when connection returns
• Never lose your work due to technical issues

Quality and Compliance

Meeting Standards

AtmosTrack helps you meet:

• Hospital quality standards: Complete instrument sets
• Regulatory compliance: Full tracking and documentation
• Patient safety requirements: Verified instrument completeness
• Efficiency goals: Faster processing with fewer errors

Documentation and Records

Automatic Record Keeping:

• Every scan is logged with timestamp
• User who packaged each container is recorded
• Complete audit trail for all activities
• Quality metrics tracked for performance review

Reports Available:

• Daily packaging productivity
• Error rates and improvement trends
• Missing instrument patterns
• Equipment utilization statistics

Getting Help and Training

When You Need Assistance

Quick Help:

• Hover over any button or field for helpful tips
• Status messages guide you through each step
• Visual indicators show what to do next

Supervisor Support:

• Call supervisor for policy questions
• Escalate instrument problems immediately
• Get help with unusual containers or instruments

System Issues:

• Contact IT support for technical problems
• Use manual backup procedures if needed
• Report bugs or suggestions for improvement