Infection Prevention
Using Environmentally Green Bedpans and Other Health Care Products to Decrease Health Care–Acquired Infections and to Lessen the Amount of Medical Waste Deposited in Landfills
MOST MODERN health care facilities now use disposable plastic bedpans, urinals, wash basins, and other products. Although these items are for one patient only, they are usually used by the patient many times during the hospital stay and disposed of when the patient is discharged. For those of us who remember scrubbing and disinfecting the old stainless steel versions of these products, the plastic disposable version was a welcome change. Plastic bedpans are usually rinsed off with a spray wand located on the back of a toilet or hopper.Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis—Focus on Dosing
THE CENTERS FOR Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented the Surgical Infection Prevention (SIP) project in August 2002. A panel of experts developed three measures for national surveillance and quality improvement: (1) prophylactic antibiotic received within one hour before surgical incision, (2) prophylactic antibiotic is consistent with currently published guidelines, and (3) prophylactic antibiotic is discontinued within 24 hours after the end of surgery.PACU—Why Hand Washing Is Vital!
Hand washing is one of the oldest methods of reducing infections. Recent evidence based research has re-confirmed the efficacy of proper hand hygiene and recommendations for hand hygiene by the CDC and WHO are outlined. The PACU is a unique environment; patients are in a “cross-road of infection;” many patients are exposed to infections coming from various wards brought to the PACU through the OR. The PACU nurse is not only responsible for observing and monitoring the patient's vital signs but is also responsible for making sure patients are not exposed to an additional risk, e.g.Pandemic Influenza: Impact on Perianesthesia Nursing Areas
As our readers are aware, these pages are typically used by the editors. However, in light of the recent events and concerns surrounding the swine flu, the editors have elected to quickly substitute an informative piece regarding influenza for the usual editorial. We thank Dr. Daphne Stannard for her willingness to disseminate her knowledge on the topic. The EditorsA Systematic Approach to Chest X-Ray Interpretation in the Perianesthesia Unit
In the perianesthesia setting, the chest X-ray has become an essential diagnostic tool to help direct the optimal care of critically ill patients. The ordering of medical tests, the interpretation of the results, and the determination of an appropriate medical plan of care remain within the role of the physician. In many United States acute care hospitals, however, the perianesthesia nurse is taught to implement emergency standing orders including obtaining a chest X-ray for unexpected respiratory distress, unexplained hypoxemia, or unequal breath sounds.The Asthmatic PACU Patient “Squeaks” By
IN MANY WAYS, perianesthesia nursing represents a unique form of patient care found in a variety of patient care settings. Patients recovering from sedation or anesthesia and surgical procedures have unique nursing care priorities and needs compared with a variety of other patient care delivery settings. Some priorities of care, however, are consistent with any care setting, and the provision of a patent airway is one of the first priorities that is especially critical for perianesthesia patients.Unlocking the Mystery of MRSA
STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS, often referred to as “staph,” is a type of bacteria carried on the skin and in the nose of approximately 33% of the population of all healthy people. Because you have this bacteria on your body does not mean that you are ill. If you have staph on your skin or in your nose but are not sick, you are said to be “colonized” but not infected with staph. Staph bacteria are usually harmless unless they enter the body through a cut or other wound; even then they often cause only minor skin problems in healthy people.Care of the Orthopaedic Trauma Patient
The perianesthesia nursing care of the orthopaedic trauma patient focuses on injuries of the musculoskeletal system and the associated muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Multitrauma patients often sustain more than one musculoskeletal injury at the time of the traumatic event. Early stabilization, astute nursing assessments, and interventions are imperative to the patient’s functional outcome and rehabilitation. Knowing the mechanism of injury is essential to understanding and caring for musculoskeletal trauma injuries.Perianesthesia Respiratory Care of the Bariatric Patient
Our nation’s obesity problem has reached epidemic proportions and is only projected to worsen. The morbidly obese patient is at risk for experiencing a multitude of health-related conditions. Morbidly obese patients are presenting for surgery at an increasing rate, especially with the growing popularity of weight-loss surgery. Therefore the perianesthesia nurse has to remain informed of optimal care strategies for this sometimes challenging population. The obese patient presents with distinct respiratory care considerations of which the perianesthesia nurse must be knowledgeable.Body piercing: a patient safety issue
Body piercing is a common form of self-expression around the world. Although a common practice among many cultures and age groups, there is very little published as to the care of the patient with body piercings in the perianesthesia setting. This article explores the type, site, care, and removal of body piercings in the preoperative setting. A focus on issues in the United States and New Zealand is provided.
