Re: CCU - Removal of Femoral Sheath by Registered Nurses Originally Posted by SEOBowhntr 
Howdy, I figured I'd throw my 2 pennies in here too.
I pulled my first sheath way back in Jan. 1996, and have pulled somewhere around 2000 or so since. I have seen a variety of hemostasis devices and still prefer the first I ever used which is the fingers I am typing with. I have yet to have a vasovagal (sudden drop in BP and HR, related to increase in vagal tone) while providing manual pressure. I also use c-clamps w/ Compressor discs, but really when I have time prefer the manual technique. Having performed many pulls in my 9.5yrs. of nursing, I started using a procedure about 7 yrs. ago where I would infiltrate an oozing site with lidocaine 1-2% with Epi 1:100,000 to shore up any small vessel bleeding. The technique worked quite well, resulting in a more comfortable patient and achieved hemostasis from the localized vasoconstriction. About 2yrs. ago, I authored my hospital's "Lido w/ Epi injection Policy." After getting several "ignorant" doctors on board and explaining to them how the procedure worked, and getting pharmacy approval, and getting approval of the hospital medical board, we finally got them on our Post Intervention orders last fall. If any of you guys are interested, PM me and I will forward you a copy of the policy. I have a friend and former co-worker who left my facility and took this procedure to another facility and they are currently working on a similar such protocol. This injection works wonders esp. with Perclose or Angioseal sites that have the never ending ooze. This WILL NOT be effective on an arterial bleed, but does quite well with moderate oozing sites.
Doug
I would love to see that policy for our hospital....can you email it to me? Click on the envelope icon, below my member name (above).
Thanks so much
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