Exchange of sheaths

Sorry but I don't understand the question. Do you mean to ask about removal of sheaths????

Our MDs do it.

mattsmom81

When we get patients transfered in for emergency interventions, they frequently have sheaths in place. We need to prep the area and exchange sheaths to maintain a sterile feild. Sometimes we need to bring a patient back and we need to do the sheath exchange first.

Originally posted by mattsmom81

Sorry but I don't understand the question. Do you mean to ask about removal of sheaths????

Thanks for your reply. My question is do your cath lab staff members exchange sheaths without the MD?

This is cath lab stuff....of which I have zero knowledge...so I'll let the 'experts' answer...:imbar

(ICU nurse here who pulls sheaths but has never exchanged one):roll

Can you tell me what the current trend in sheath exchange is with regard to experienced Cath Lab staff?

Is it

*Never done

*Done with MD present

*Done without MD present

Any comments would be appreciated.

I manage a small cath lab where the staff is integrated in job responsibilty (with the exception of medication administration). When a sheath is needing to be exchanged, we wait for the physician to arrive, perform our "time out", re-anesthetize the groin and proceed with sheath exchange. If initial access was an issue, then we practice better judgement and wait for the M.D. to do the exchange.

Hope this helps.:redpinkhe