[L's in a jam]

In our hospital based outpatient endoscopy unit, we have pt's remove all metal and jewelry before procedures for fire safety reasons. We have also included partial plates in this category. What are other endoscopy centers doing in regards to removal of jewelry and metal for procedures? Obviously pt's. with braces cannot remove them, so are partial plates to be treated the same way? Any input would be much appreciated!

[jmgrn65]

Originally Posted by L's in a jam

In our hospital based outpatient endoscopy unit, we have pt's remove all metal and jewelry before procedures for fire safety reasons. We have also included partial plates in this category. What are other endoscopy centers doing in regards to removal of jewelry and metal for procedures? Obviously pt's. with braces cannot remove them, so are partial plates to be treated the same way? Any input would be much appreciated!

I don't understand the removal of jewelery or metal.
Dentures and partial plates unless they are very secure, for airway protection.

[GIRN]

We don't have them remove jewelry for scopes...except for tongue rings...YUCK! They only have to remove dentures if it's an upper endoscopy. For colonoscopies, they can leave dentures in if they assure us that they are not going to fall out while they're sleeping. We've had no problems with cautery and burn injuries from the jewelry.

[L's in a jam]

Originally Posted by jmgrn65

I don't understand the removal of jewelery or metal.
Dentures and partial plates unless they are very secure, for airway protection.

To prevent burn injuries from metal and jewlery in contact with skin, we have pt's. remove them. We don't know prior to a procedure if we're going to use cautery or electrical current, so as a precaution all metal and jewelry is removed or taped in place to create a barrier between the metal and adjoining skin. This has been our policy for the past year or so, and we have it stated on our pre-procedure paperwork the pt. fills out at home, to leave all jewelry home. Some off our staff have opted to let pt's. keep their partial plates in for a colon., while some staff have the pt. remove them. We're trying to find out what other GI dept's. do in this situation, and if there is any lit. that others have found to substantiate leaving partial plates in or out.

[george57]

We request that our patients also remove jewelry with the potential that we might use cautery. Did not think of partials with metal but we have them remove dentures or partials for EGD's anyway.