Patient Tracing - A Manual System: Cycle Records (documentation sheets) Applicator Guns and Piggy Back Labels with Process Indicators. Patient Tracing gives the added advantage of permanent proof that any packs (instruments, solid, hollow, handpieces etc) used in a Surgical Procedure have been through a sterilisation process. Patient Tracing is a label that has a Process Indicator and can be removed from the surgical pack and placed onto the patient notes for possible reference if required in the future. It conforms with Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZ 4817, AS/NZ 4185 and can link to written documentation for all items in each batch/load processed by the Sterilising Department.

The necessity for simplicity

A manual system must be kept simple - if unnecessary written paperwork is involved, it will greatly increase the possibility of human error.