continuous infusion, like interscalene catheters and femoral catheters,
the best option might be a simple elastomeric disposable pump with
no bolus feature that is very easy for patients to understand and man-
age. For more complex blocks like adductor canals, where success
can be improved with intermittent large 8 to 10 ml boluses (scheduled
or patient controlled), you might consider an elastomeric or electron-
ic pump that offers these added features.
4. Multi-media patient education
Even with the latest and greatest technology, one of the best ways to
ensure your block program is successful is to ensure that patients
understand what the CNB is and how it will impact them post-opera-
tively before they even step foot in the surgical facility.
At our center, we do this using a multi-stage, multi-media patient
education program. First, patients receive a brochure at their surgeon's
office when they schedule surgery. The brochure goes over the proce-
dure and what to expect in the days after the operation. This is key:
You want to set patients' expectations clearly before their day of sur-
gery, so they know that they will often experience some pain, but that
the block will help minimize it.
In pre-op, we show patients a homemade "basics of blocks" video
on an iPad. After the video, a block nurse gives patients a hands-on
lesson on the pump they'll receive, including how to care for it at
home, and answers any questions. After the procedure, the recovery
room nurse reviews things once more and gives patients written dis-
charge instructions that include a link to the video they saw in pre-op
so they get to re-watch it at home
5. Own patient complaints
One of the things that makes our program stand out from other facili-
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