What should be done with sterile supplies if the package is damaged?

When a package of sterile supplies is damaged, the contents are considered contaminated. The integrity of the sterile barrier is crucial for maintaining sterility, and any breach can compromise the sterility of the items inside. Therefore, discarding the damaged supplies is necessary to ensure patient safety and prevent the risk of infection.

Using damaged supplies, regardless of their appearance, poses a significant risk because they may harbor microorganisms that could lead to contamination. Simply returning them to the shelf does not address the potential contamination issue and could inadvertently lead to their use by another user. Repackaging and re-sterilizing is also not a viable solution, as the supplies may not be suitable for safe sterilization again, and there's always the risk that they have already been contaminated.

Thus, the best practice is to discard any sterile supplies that come in damaged packaging to maintain a safe and sterile environment in clinical settings.