The “Hands Together” method of nonsterile scalpel blade mounting and removal

Abstract

Scalpels are utilized by many different user groups for such purposes as medical procedures and dissection. Injuries caused by scalpels are a potential risk for scalpel users, and include injuries that may occur while mounting and removing the scalpel blade. Between 10% and 20% of all scalpel injuries in education and healthcare settings are reported to occur while scalpel blades are being mounted or removed. At present there are few published or "best practice" demonstrations of safe technique for scalpel blade mounting and removal. This brief article outlines a variation of the procedure for scalpel blade mounting and removal. It includes strategies developed to minimize risk or injury for the scalpel user, including providing a stable base for the hands and arms so as to prevent unnecessary large amplitude movements that may lead to injury of the scalpel user or a third party. Such a technique may promote scalpel safety, contribute to the development of "best practice" scalpel use, and help decrease injuries that may be caused while mounting or removing scalpel blades.

Sharps Injuries during Dissection: A Five‐Year Retrospective Study in the Context of Safety

“…It has been suggested that “automatic” systems, such as the blade removers, are more effective interventions when compared to devices requiring activation by their user including safety scalpels (Watt et al, ). Another way of managing the risk from mounting blades is to have members of the academic or technical team preloads all handles, or ensuring “safe” methods of blade mounting or removal are adhered to by students, such as the “hands together” method (Cornwall, ).…”

“…Adopting approaches from surgical environments or developing tailored peer‐assessed techniques in anatomy laboratories would also be beneficial in mitigate risks. For example, the “hands together” method by Cornwall () is an alternative low‐risk method for mounting and removing blades from scalpel handles that could potentially reduce injuries. However, the issue of compliance with such methods and even raising awareness of their existence remains an issue (Cornwall, ).…”

The effect of simulation‐based education before a cadaver dissection course

“…These common injuries are largely related to the scalpel blade (Cornwall & Stringer, 2008). Injuries caused by scalpels are a potential risk for scalpel users and include injuries that occur while mounting and removing the scalpel blade (Cornwall, 2014). Currently, computer technology that processes three-dimensional data has led to the development of medical simulation applications (Ueda & Yamaguchi, 2017).…”