Development of a RAMA gallbladder retrieval bag for improved patient safety: A nursing innovation

Abstract

One of the major problems in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the bile and stone spillage into the abdominal cavity, which results in contamination. Thus a retrieval bag is used to prevent this problem. This study aims to describe the further development of an existing retrieval bag for improved patient safety and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the new version of RAMA retrieval bag. The study was conducted in two phases: design and development of the new retrieval bag and evaluation of its efficacy. For the efficacy evaluation, data regarding problems in using the retrieval bag were collected from surgeons on 110 laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures from January to April 2017, and the surgeons' opinions regarding use of the retrieval bag. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The results showed that after the surgical procedure was completed for all patients, no problems occurred during gallbladder removal and no bags were broken. Bag closure was somewhat difficult in three cases (2.7%). According to the 12 surgeons' opinions, the overall effectiveness of RAMA retrieval bag was highly rated with both high safety and function. The redesigned retrieval bag is easy to open and prevent the specimen leaving from the bag, resulting in patient safety. The cost of the new version is much less than the cost of other retrieval bags. This bag is convenient and require less time for the nurses in preparation instruments during surgery.