epidurals

Change the catheter every 3 days???????????? That's bizarre. Ummmmm.. not where I work. The dressing gets changed by Pain Service when needed but the catheter stays in as long as it works or whatever is planned for. It sometimes takes a while to get it to work just right and with the right med and dose. I don't see them removing it. As Epocrates once said : ' if it ain't broke.. don't fix it.'

Maybe he just needs the practice:lol2:

N_T_L

Thanks for the reply. As an update. We didn't think the little lady would last 3 days but she has. Her family told the anesthesiologist not to take it out and they would sign anything he wanted if he left it in place. So not sure exactly what changed his mind, but he is leaving it in. It just seemed cruel to change it in a dying person esp since it was working great.

Deb

You might wanna ask in the CRNA forum, I'm sure one of them would know

I have only had one patient with an epidural. Inpatient was the only way we could do this and then the hospital has policies in place they need to follow. It was to be changed 3rd day with me as well.... however I strongly disagreed with this. My patient never saw the 3rd day.