Teds and SCD's?

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Specializes in OR.

A friend of mine who graduated last year had a run in with another circulator over the use of teds and scd's. The patient was having a diagnostic laparoscopy(GYN) and she was a heavy smoker and was obese. The other circulator thought my friend "Mary" went way overboard putting the SCD's on because "those cases usually don't take that long" It seems to me that Mary did what she thought was the right thing for her patient-it's not like putting SCD's on is going to harm the patient(in most cases) and they probably were beneficial what with the smoking and such. Any opinions/feedback on this? I think I would have done what Mary did...

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Specializes in Theatre.

I think Mary probably did the right thing. Sounds like the pt needed all the help she could get. Most of our Gynae pts get TEDS as standard with SCDs for longer ops.

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Specializes in icu, neuro icu, nursing ed.

according to a study done by orthopedic surgeons, elastic antiembolism stockings were actually linked to causing emboli in immobile patients. study recommended scd's while in bed / sitting -- stockings fine for ambulatory patients.

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Specializes in Theatre.

Can you provide the details of this study please?

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We rarely use TEDs (I honestly don't remember which surgeon/specialty does and when) But I would have definately used the SCDs... obese+smoker+stirrups (if used) Sometimes a diagnostic lap takes longer than expected, too. I've had a few arguments with other circs too- "But they're not on the pref sheet/ But they're not ordered" I was taught it's a nursing measure and I'm not above going a step further than the orders to keep my pt safe.

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Specializes in icu, neuro icu, nursing ed.
Can you provide the details of this study please?

i will look among my notes, etc. in the meantime, i hope that someone else details / link. it goes back probably about 5 years.

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Specializes in ICU, Surgery.

At my hospital, TEDS and SCDs require a doctors order. In surgery we have a list of surgeons (lots) that want them on all cases, no matter how quick. Those we write a verbal order for. Other surgeons just order on a case by case basis, usually they say no on short cases. I wouldn't bother arguing with another nurse about this, just ask the surgeon if he wants to order them or not.

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Specializes in OR.

Thanks for the input-all of our general surgeons like teds and scd's on their cases(except for I&D's or other quick cases). Mary didn't start the argument, the other nurse did. She's not that great of a nurse and she is rough on the newbies.;)

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Specializes in Periop, CNOR.

psalm 55,

If you happen to run across that info I would love to see it. At my past facility, we didn't use scd's and teds nearl as much as the facility I am at now does. For cystos on 35 yr old low risk pts? C'mon.....

I am trying to touch base with one of the GYN Attendings at my old place that was very up to date on dvt research and prophylactic use of devices in the perioperative setting. He drew the line at knee high's in high risk pt's.

Also, many of our General Attendings gave heparin pre-op if it wasn't contraindicated instead of hose and scd's.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Where I worked, SCD's went on every patient over 200#, no matter how old they were or how brief the procedure. I remember waking up from one surgery asking my nurse why patients hated them so much........they felt marvelous to me, it was like getting a mini- foot massage.:lol2:

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