Removing glass shards post MVA

[rnmomma4]

I work in an ER and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for removing glass shards from patient's post MVA, particularly patients who are unable to get up and shower.

[RNrobert]

Dust busters work pretty well

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Hold a strip of 1 or 2 inch tape with the sticky side towards the patient and dab away.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Tape!!!! I always used elastoplast or ace wrap with adhesive.....wrapped it around a bottle or can or kleenex boz (prevented little cuts) and dabbed away .......dustbusters are also quite effective

[FlyingScot, RN]

Suction tubing but make sure the suction isn't too high.

[PetiteOpRN]

Depending on the extent of the injuries, where the shards are, and how big the shards are, I would opt to let the MD remove the shards. Actually, I would always opt to let the MD remove the shards. There is a risk of causing/exacerbating injury/infection. This is not passing the buck, it is working within your scope or practice Removal of a foreign body following an MVA (regardless of how small) should be done by or under the supervision of a doctor.

The MD can take the patient to the OR and I&D the wound and explore the nerves and blood vessels in the surrounding areas.

If I was the patient, that would be my preference.

[FlyingScot, RN]

I think most of us understood the OP to be talking about the little tiny pieces of glass that are often found on MVA patients. None of us would think to remove large or hazardous shards with a Dustbuster or tape. The small pieces of glass are usually safety glass from the windows and are designed to break into tiny circular pieces that tend to imbed superficially in the skin but are essentially harmless albeit uncomfortable. Removal of superficial foreign bodies are not outside our scope of practice as RNs.