he typically has lines
started in patients set
to undergo more inva-
sive, longer cases such
as full thickness
corneal transplants or
implantation of com-
plex IOLs and glauco-
ma tube shunts, and
supplements their
sedation with tablets
as needed.
Facilities interested
in going IV-free
should ease into the
practice by building
confidence among the
clinical team, accord-
ing to Dr. Greenwood.
"Start IVs in patients
and saline-lock the
lines without adminis-
tering medications,"
he suggests. "Try that
for a couple weeks or until your providers and surgeons gain confi-
dence with the practice, and see for themselves how well patients
do."
Administering sedation tablets adds to the expense of cataract sur-
gery. Whereas the supplies needed to start an IV are only about $2, a
pack containing 2 sublingual tablets costs about $25.
J U L Y 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 6 3
• SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Oral sedation could increase the number of
patients who refer their family and friends to your facility.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
