Splinting a casted arm, a nursing intervention?

[humiliated]

Is putting an arm in a sling the doctor has casted a doctor or nursing intevention? IN other words, do you need a MD's order to put someone's hurt arm in a sling in order to prevent them from running into people and things with that arm? Thanks for the info.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

I wouldn't think you'd need a doctor's order for a sling.Having a sling would decrease edema and bruising, which indirectly decreases pain and speeds healing. So yes, I would consider that a nursing intervention.

Let's put it this way: I don't recall ever seeing a doctor's order NOT to put a sling on an arm fracture.

So now I'm curious: why do you ask?

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

It may depend on where the fracture is. For example treating a humeral fx with casting usually uses the weight of the arm and the cast to help heal. That way you wouldn't use a sling. They don't do many hanging casts anymore. Was there a problem with getting a sling?

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

IN LTC we would...we need orders for band aids

[Sylv]

My ortho surgeon (elbow surgery, arm in cast) said he hates slings, because then people end up with shoulder problems, because they don't move the shoulder joint, and can get limited range of motion in the shoulder due to the sling use.

I have used them in the past on a patient only with a doctor's order. I think I would not use one without an order.

[michw2]

We need a Doctors order where I work.

[jax]

I work in an ortho unit, we use them as we see fit. Our surgeons would pitch a fit if one of the hand/arm patients was ambulating without a high arm sling.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

We use slings as ordered, however elevating the effected extremity while in bed would be a nursing intervention.

[Fluesy]

IN LTC we would...we need orders for band aids

You're Joking!!! Introduce them to the concept of IND's - Independant Nursing Decisions:p