8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9
Ideas Work
P r a c t i c a l p e a r l s f r o m y o u r c o l l e a g u e s
That
T
he patient is
prepped and
draped, and I'm
seated to begin my chart-
ing. Only then do I realize
that I've forgotten to
record the serial number of
the SCD box. I'd have to
hop up and crawl under-
neath the drapes. I can't
tell you how many times
this happened.
I came up with what I
thought was a good solution. I'd write the SCD serial number on the
surgeon's gown card at the beginning of my shift and set it on the
computer for all of my cases that day. Problem solved for me, but not
for everyone. In true innovative spirit, my friend Kirsty, a staff nurse,
solved the problem for everyone. One evening after her cases
wrapped up, Kirsty went to the front desk to get the label maker. In 30
minutes, she had gone to every OR and stuck the SCD box number on
the cord where it plugs into the wall by the nurse's computer.
James Nideffer, RN, BSN
Surgical Services Scripps Health
San Diego, Calif.
nideffer@hotmail.com
SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE
No More Crawling Underneath the Table
• TRUE INNOVATION Nurses at Surgical Services Scripps Health no longer
have to kneel or crawl on the floor to record the serial number of the
sequential compression device.
James
Nideffer,
RN,
BSN
