Goldinurse and the Three Containers

[00:00:05]Have I ever told you the story of Goldie Nurse and the three containers?

[00:00:11]Once upon a time, Goldie Nurse, the perioperative nurse, was working in the operating theater.

[00:00:19]The surgeon stooped and scooped the stomach out.

[00:00:24]But it was slippery, so it dashed all about.

[00:00:29]Goldie Nurse took the specimen to the sluice room, where she knew the container question would loom.

[00:00:38]>> Which container do I use?

[00:00:41]Is it this one?

[00:00:44]Is it this one?

[00:00:46]Which one is it?

[00:00:48]>> The first container is far too small.

[00:00:54]Barely any room for formalin at all.

[00:00:59]The second container is far too big.

[00:01:06]To find the specimen, we will have to dig.

[00:01:11]The third container is just right.

[00:01:16]Let's get our pathologist's insight.

[00:01:22]But Goldie Nurse had a question for our pathologist.

[00:01:27]>> But why does it matter which container we send? Does it actually change anything at your end?

[00:01:36]>> When the container is too small, not enough formalin can get inside.

[00:01:43]The specimen is transferred to a larger container, tall and wide.

[00:01:50]Without enough formalin, the specimen will not fix and pathologies hide, which makes it very difficult to assess what is on the glass slide.

[00:02:03]I look and I look and I look down the microscope all day, but without enough formalin, an accurate diagnosis [screaming] is hard to say.

[00:02:17]The surgeon pulled and pulled and pulled the colon out, but it kept wriggling, so his energy was all worn out.

[00:02:28]Goldie nurse took the colon to the sluice room, but this time there was no sense of dread or doom.

[00:02:36]>> The first container is far too small.

[00:02:42]Barely any room for formalin at all.

[00:02:46]The second container is far too big. To find the specimen, we will have to dig.

[00:02:54]The third container is just right. Let's get our pathologist in sight.

[00:03:05]>> But Goldie nurse had another question for our pathologist.

[00:03:10]>> But what happens to the containers we send? Is there something we can amend?

[00:03:17]>> The original insufficient container becomes waste. Into the bin is where this is placed.

[00:03:25]It starts with one, then two, then three, then four.

[00:03:30]But soon, it is more and more and more and more, harming our planet as carbon emissions soar.

[00:03:40]We can stop this by sending the correct container at the start.

[00:03:48]The biggest differences are made when we all take part.

[00:03:53]Goldie Nurse now knew which containers were the correct size.

[00:03:59]And her friend the pathologist remained happy to advise. Surgery and pathology became more sustainable thereafter.

[00:04:09]Goldie Nurse, the pathologist, and the planet lived happily ever after.

[00:04:21]>> So, what was the message behind this story?

[00:04:24]>> Sufficient formalin is required for accurate diagnosis. The RCPA recommends a ratio of 10:1 formalin to specimen.

[00:04:33]If the container can't hold this, it goes in the bin.

[00:04:37]More container waste, bigger environmental impact.

[00:04:41]So, how can we care for both patients and the planet?

[00:04:46]>> By choosing the correct container first time.

[00:04:49]We can help reduce waste and make the health care system more sustainable.