What Do You Think?

New Questions Post-Transradial Procedure Care We are interested in what is being done post procedure for the radial artery approach: how long until discharge? How is the site managed? What kind of dressing is used? Thank you for any help you can provide! Linda, Dubois Regional Medical Center, DuBois, PA Email: lmdubois (at) drmc. org Cc: cathlabdigest (at) aol. com Heparinized Flush? I have recently reviewed literature regarding heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and shared it with my coworkers. We have concerns about using heparin in our flush and exposing the patients needlessly. The percentage referenced in the literature is a 3-5% incidence of developing HIT after exposure to unfractionated heparin, but the mortality and morbidity is high. There is also an increased cost of care and extended hospital stay for the patient. We do not want to unnecessarily expose our patients to heparin if there is no research to support this practice of heparinized flush. We want to know what other labs are doing, if any labs are using heparin-free flush, and if there is any research that supports the practice of heparinized saline flush versus unheparinized saline flush. We want to provide our patients with evidenced-based practice and not just tradition! Thank you! Christy Cantey, RN, MSN Huntsville Hospital, Cath Lab Huntsville, AL Email: clmccarter (at) yahoo. com Cc: cathlabdigest (at) aol. com Cervical and Lumbar Damage from Lead Aprons Do you as a cath lab professional suffer from cervical and/or lumbar disc damage? My suspicion is that wearing the lead as often and for as long as we do, that the weight is causing a significant percent of our professionals to suffer lifetime damage! Bob Basile Email: bobstero (at) ptd. net Cc: cathlabdigest (at) aol. com It has been my experience through the years that lead aprons have a long-term effect on your back. I feel that every lab should bring in the ergonomic/safety personnel to the lab for assistance in getting the lightest and best-fitting protective gear. The new non-lead products help, but the proper fit also helps a bunch. Your lab coordinator should alternate scrubbing and monitoring as much as the rotation will allow. Two-piece aprons also help. I am and have been a manager for the cath and angio labs for a long time. The first thing I do know is to evaluate the lead aprons and change to lighter two-piece aprons. We need to take care of our personnel or there will not be any experienced staff left. By the way, I have had two neck surgeries. Robert Turner, (RT)(R)(CV) Manager of the Cath and Angio Labs St. Charles Medical Center Bend, OR Email: rbturner (at) scmc. org Cc: cathlabdigest (at) aol. com

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