allowing parents in OR?

gringe · May 25, 2007

yeah, we have an anaesthetic room here in uk hosp. where children are anaesthetised . Once the child is asleep, prior to intubation the parent is whisked out of the room. It works just fine, both parent and child are happy.

TracyB,RN, RN · May 31, 2007

Parents (usually just one) in pre-op only... We carry the babes back or roll them on the cart if they're too big to carry. Happy meds before we go to OR.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 31, 2007

I've never understood why the kids weren't given an oral sedative while they were still in their room. They could be transported to the OR while asleep without the full sedation that would compromise resp function. Anyone know?

TexasPediRN · Jun 1, 2007

i've never understood why the kids weren't given an oral sedative while they were still in their room. they could be transported to the or while asleep without the full sedation that would compromise resp function. anyone know?

my hospital does this. we medicate always with valium, versed, or clonidine in the room, and place the child on a monitor. most of the time, the child is awake but drousy on their way to pre-op holding, sometimes (the best times) they fall asleep in the room before we take them to pre-op holding.

rarely do we not medicate them in their rooms, and i hate when we do that..

boriquarn · Jun 14, 2007

I cannot understand why anyone would want to watch their loved one-especially their child put under anesthesia!

This is a big liability issue and if that family member passes out, you have two patients on your hands.

I've been an OR nurse for 9 yrs, and It broke my heart to watch my 3 year old screaming with an IV insertion.

It is a very different situation when it is YOUR family on the table.

southerngirl67 · Jun 14, 2007

Parents are not allowed in our OR. Too much liability. As a matter of fact, family members that work in the OR are not allowed back there during induction.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jun 14, 2007

I unfortunately have, and never again would ever ever want to see a member of my family unconcious and intubated.

You don't see them intubated! You just hold them untll they're at the stage of anesthesia where you can slip out without the child being aware. With this kind of question one has to look at science, not personal emotions. SCIENCE and RESEARCH FINDINGS tell us that this can be a good idea. Can nursing please get grounded in evidence based care instead of personal voodoo?

boriquarn · Jun 14, 2007

WAIT A MINUTE..

There is obviously a difference when your family member is under the knife.

Just the other day I was assisting w/straight cath of a child and the patients father WHO was an EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN almost passed out cold.

The the nursing realm is not just about science and research, it is also about family dynamics, emotions, support and recognition of cognative and developmental issues.

I completely agree that holding a child before induction is an excellent idea.

But the line needs to be drawn there and the parents should not be around during the actual induction or surgical intervention.

lol, the personal voodoo comment makes you sound like you have a chip on your shoulder..

although sometimes one of those pin cushion voodoo dolls could come in handy, i could put little scrubs on it and cast spells on moody surgeons...

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jun 15, 2007

WAIT A MINUTE..
There is obviously a difference when your family member is under the knife.
Just the other day I was assisting w/straight cath of a child and the patients father WHO was an EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN almost passed out cold.
The the nursing realm is not just about science and research, it is also about family dynamics, emotions, support and recognition of cognative and developmental issues.
I completely agree that holding a child before induction is an excellent idea.
But the line needs to be drawn there and the parents should not be around during the actual induction or surgical intervention.
lol, the personal voodoo comment makes you sound like you have a chip on your shoulder..
although sometimes one of those pin cushion voodoo dolls could come in handy, i could put little scrubs on it and cast spells on moody surgeons...

I thought we were talking about parents who come in for induction. The scenario is usually that the child falls asleep in the parents arms, we place the child on the table and a nurse helps the parent out. We're not talking about a parent assisting in a procedure - whole other can of worms (or can of ego, as the case may be). And parents are not around for the IV either - they're simply there until the child is no longer aware. I'm always a little hyper taking a child from a parent because I have to concentrate more on the induction but I know that it IS traumatic for them. When I dropped my little kitten off to be "fixed", I was shocked to find myself teary-eyed. Never would I want to go in the room and watch any unpleasantries happen. And I'm a pretty crusty old axe!

AliRae · Jun 15, 2007

We have a child life program at our hospital, and one of the specialists hangs out in same day. Once the parents have signed a release/contract stating that they WILL get out when they're told, one parent is allowed to go back for induction. When the kiddo is asleep, the child life specialist escorts them out. I've never heard of it backfiring.

We did things in a similar manner when I was working at a hospital in Zambia. The mom would walk the kid over to the anteroom of the OR, I'd come out, give some ketamine, and take the kid in once s/he was asleep. Again, never a problem.

akor · Jun 15, 2007

Over here in Florence Italy, they have a great childrens' hospital. I work in the OR but when my son had to have an inguinal hernia operation, I got whoosy watching him go to sleep. I am glad though that i was able to be there with him. It is policy that the parents get to be with the child for induction.

thebonster · Jun 25, 2007

What is your hospital's or OR's policy on allowing a parent w/a minor child in the OR ? We leave it up to the anesthesia provider, pretty much they allow one parent, but not if they seem too nervous or anxious about it. They have to leave once the child is asleep and b/f intubation. A nurse has to be there to escort the parent out when it's time.

Exact same as us. My biggest beef of our hospital is that children are NEVER premedicated. It is because "The surgery before might go longer than it should or the case could get cancelled"

Freaking out is better I guess.

I personally don't like it when the parent comes in. 1 in 10 is fine and calm but 90% are a mess. If there were something to mentally prepare them for what they see/smell/hear as they walk down the hall....

The worst mom ever was one that was snapping pictures all the way to the OR suite as her little girl had big tears rolling down. She had big plans to scrapbook to whole thing! She was miffed when we wouldn't let her take pictures in the room!:trout: Poor kid!!