removal of sutures

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A couple of weekes ago, I was in an outpatient consult clinic for an ortho clinic. I only work there to fill in when someone is sick so not very often. I was taking out some sutures ona man's leg. The first 3 came out easy but I have a feeling some of the thread was left in the last 2. I thought something wasn't quite right when i did it but someone was rushing me and I couldn't see any thread left so did the dressing. Once I got home I thought abbout it and now I've thought about it so much i can't remember exactly what happened. I feel awful for not taking more time and i've been looking up cases of sutures being missd and patients getting absesses and infections. I feel terrible and don't know whta to do to fix it. I won't be working at the clinic for a while so don't know how to check on the patient.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Call the office and ask to speak to talk to one of the nurses tell them your concerns and let them follow up. ((HUGS))

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I agree. They can call the patient in a few days and just check on them and on the area that is healing. Next time, rushed or not, you need to feel comfortable with your care before you send your patient on their way.

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And you might also remember the rule about never cutting a suture more than once-- if you cut near the knot and then pull on that, you should be able to see that you have all of it. If you have a bunch of them, you can see that they're all about the same size and appearance. Maybe ask for someone to watch you take some out next time so you can see what I mean.

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I took on your advice and went into the clinic.The patients had been in the week before and both the nurse and dr said the wound looked good but that they woud keep an eye on it.

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Out of curiosity what kind of suture was it ?

Id imagine more than likely it was a dissolvable suture anyway

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