KateS

I have worked in a cardiac/angiography lab for a little over one year. I have been a nurse for over 12 years and this is my first experience with pulling sheaths. I have always been a little nervous and the only instruction was from felllow RN's that have been working in the cath lab for over 15 years, so while their knowledge is great I still remain nervous. I had one bad experience when I pulled and could not get a good postion and the patient continued to ooze a lot, another nurse came behind me and attemped to take over and also could not get good control. The patient outcome was fine but it just made me more nervous. We use Angioseal quite alot and we have seen excellent results. However every time I hear it's a mannual pull (and we the RN's in the recovery area usually pull them, not the doc's) I get very nervous. I guess what I'm looking for is any guidance or instruction on pulling that would ease my nervousness. Thanks