• Implant
management.
Keeping track
of the IOLs
that are to be
implanted in
the 2 eyes is a
critical chal-
lenge to
address. In my
practice, we
write down in
the OR — for both the left and right eyes — biometry calculations, the
axis of astigmatism, the IOL we will implant and the backup lens that's
on standby. I bring a similar list that my clinic created and tape it to the
surgical microscope. Before operating on each eye, I review the infor-
mation on my list with the circulating nurse, checking to be sure no
errors have been made, and that the 2 lists match exactly. We've never
implanted the wrong lens, thanks to that process of checks and bal-
ances.
It's also possible to confuse the left and right eye, especially when
operating on both within minutes of each other. We make sure all sup-
plies in the OR are labeled "right" or "left" and more than 1 person
always confirms that the eye we're about to operate on is correct. If
there's a discrepancy, we confirm the surgical site by reviewing the
information in the patient's original chart.
• Improved efficiencies. Performing same-day bilateral cataract sur-
gery is a timesaver. Staff organize paperwork — even if you use electron-
ic health records, surgeons and nurses often want hard copies of the
patient's information for double-checking in the OR — and it's easier to
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 9 1
• FRESH START Supplies used during surgery on the first eye must be replaced before the second procedure begins.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
