[Cynthia_S]

Thanks for the info. It was very helpful!

[rn2trauma]

hey! I work at the VA in southern california and participated in three cryoamputations in the 7 years i have worked on the ICU. I also have participated in several others at another trauma center in this area, and I have yet to see anything that would resemble policies and/or protocols for the procedure. I have also seen it done wrong, where the tissue death extended far further than was intended, resulting in a rather high AKA versus the BKA that was planned. I am kinda wondering what specifically you were asking for regarding the cryoamputation. I just happened to finish setting one up when i went on a search for pretty much what you are asking for, i.e., policies and protocols. Not sure if i answered anything close to what you are asking for, but maybe we all can help each other.

[Cynthia_S]

Thanks for the reply! The MICU that I was working in had no policies and procedures for the cryo YET they wanted us to participate in this procedure. I thought it was dangerous in a liablility aspect b/c we had no policy and procedure or education on the procedure to protect the staff. When approaching the manager of the unit, she gave me the good old.. well, write up the educational piece, policy and procedure yourself then submit it to administration. NIIICE ...