Help Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse & School Clinics.

In school for LPN. We have to find out - how do you clean/care for pins on an external fixator(i.e. fractured leg) in a hospital setting as an LPN? Nothing in our books, so we were told to look elsewhere over the weekend & see what we could find. ANY help from you experienced LPNs or RNs would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

I googled "clean/care for pins on an external fixator"

And I got this link: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/orthopaedics/home/pin-care.htm

Google has everything. Good luck!

Angel

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Specializes in home health, peds, case management.

i notice that these instructions are for home care. the procedure for inpatient care often differs from home care.

i would suggest posting this in the ortho nursing forum to get maximum exposure to seasoned ortho nurses who will likely be able to provide a quick answer.

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Specializes in LTC.

Assess pin sites for redness, swelling, increased tenderness, and drainage.

Examine pins for breakage, bending, or shifting.

Wearing gloves, use cotton tipped applicators and saline to cleanse pin site.

Use at least one applicator per pin- do not use applicator more than once.

Clean pin site from pin outward.

Gently remove crusted areas.

Teach client not to touch pin sites.

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