Hemostats

allele, LPN · Sep 12, 2008

When I worked cardiac surgical we used them to clamp chest tubes (when ordered, of course!), I had to use them once when a patient ripped his chest tube apart at the joint....I clamped until we got another clean chest tube set up. I've also used them for unscrewing tight IV connections, I know I've used them at home for stuff, like picking up stuff from small areas that I couldn't reach with my fingers, I got my husband some big ones for fishing (I guess of them fishies have sharp teeth! Need the clamps to take out the hook), etc. There's always something! I'm a VNA nurse now, I've still used them to disconnect some caps off of picc lines. :)

sonja77 · Sep 12, 2008

i use mine to:

unscrew iv tubing that's too tight
unscrew suction tubing that's too tight (e.g. to clamp an ng tube)
clamp a foley cath to get a urine sample
clamp off a peg tube when i open the cap until i can insert the syringe (to check residual/give meds/give bolus feeding)

Warpster · Sep 12, 2008

How many uses? Oh, let me count the ways!

Clamping off any line when the cap falls off.

Clamping the Foley tube when a urine sample is needed.

Clamping that chest tube FAST when the confused patient tries to run away from the Thoraclex--and succeeds.

Picking stuff off the floor, especially when it's landed in something icky, to transfer it to the sink.

Popping the keys off my puter keyboard and grabbing the cat hair underneath to clean it out when the keys get sticky.

Weighting new warp threads on the loom when the taut ones break mid weave.

Holding nails so I don't smash my fingers.

Holding and inserting jumpers when I'm installing new stuff in the computer.

If I had to name any tool I can't do without, it's the hemostat. I can hammer nails with any heavy object. I can use a butter knife as a screwdriver. Just don't ever take away my hemostats!