Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Difficult Airways - April 2015 - Subscribe to Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.

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2 4 O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | A P R I L 2 0 1 5 I D E A S T H A T W O R K T he intraopera- tive use of mechanical compression can help prevent deep vein thrombosis and other circulatory hazards, but if it's not used properly, it can end up damaging patients' skin. Take the following precautions to prevent the possibili- ty of pressure injuries. • Size matters. Make sure the sequential compression device sleeves you're applying fit properly by sizing up your patients' lower extremities with a tape measure. There should be 2 finger-widths of space at the top and bottom of the sleeve. Keeping in mind the potential for intraoperative edema, post-op nurs- es should consider re-measuring the legs after surgery. • Apply while they're awake. SCD sleeves should be on the patient and the pump should be operational before the induction of anesthesia, so the patient will be able to warn you of any pain or discomfort it may cause. U N D E R P R E S S U R E 3 Tips to Use Compression Devices Safely z SLEEVES SQUEEZE A few precautions can prevent mechanical circulation aids from harming patients' skin.

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