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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 | J U LY 2 0 1 5
However, if I have a case where the EMR uses language strictly from
the procedure template, I can assume that the surgeon didn't take the
time or effort to identify the differences and similarities between this
procedure and countless others he's performed. Instead, I assume the
surgeon just simply clicked sections of text that then auto-populated
the note.
Every procedure must have some differences from the ones before,
especially if the procedure ends up poorly and the patient sues. Stress
to surgeons the importance of taking the time and effort to dictate a
M E D I C A L M A L P R A C T I C E
H
ere's a slight staffing modifica-
tion guaranteed to make
patients happy and improve
surgical flow. Dedicate a pre-op nurse to
starting IVs and drawing blood for need-
ed lab tests. Patients endure just a single
stick, which improves their satisfaction
scores. The admitting nurse, who can
focus solely on charting, hangs laminat-
ed cards on pre-op bays to indicate
which patients are ready for the IV nurse,
who staggers line placements according
to the surgical schedule.
Shelley Smith, RN, BSN, CAPA
Carolinas Medical Center
Charlotte, N.C.
shelley.smith@carolinashealthcare.org
VASCULAR ACCESS NURSE
All She Does Is Start IVs and Draw Blood
Shelley
Smith,
RN
z STICK TO IT Designate a nurse to
start all IVs so other pre-op staff can
focus on prepping patients for surgery.
