RN, MSN, CNOR, ST,
administrator of the Delray
Beach (Fla.) Surgical
Suites. "Nursing should
work with anesthesia to
make sure everything is
protected," she adds.
Another risk factor for
post-op vision loss: pro-
longed operative time,
although "if the patient is
positioned properly in the
beginning, prolonged opera-
tive times shouldn't have an
effect," says Ms. Cramer.
"Consistency is key with
positioning maneuvers and
with staff who are position-
ing patients."
Still, an extra dose of caution can only help, says Ms. Hrnicek: "We
prepare ahead of the procedure for any possibilities of a prolonged
procedure. It's better to look ahead and overprotect than to endanger
a patient."
One way to do that: Before anesthesia induction, make sure all
implants and team members are present, open all sterile goods and
check pack integrity.
Hitting a nerve?
Proper placement of extremities can help prevent nerve damage, but
intraoperative neuromonitoring might be the most effective way to be
D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 6 9
• WE HAVE YOUR BACK Two keys to preventing nerve damage: proper
placement of extremities and intraoperative neuromonitoring.
Carol
Giese,
MSN,
RN,
CNOR,
CSSM
