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How Do You Measure Up? - October 2013 - Subscribe to Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.

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OSE_1310_part1_Layout 1 10/7/13 10:02 AM Page 22 IDEAS That Work CALMING EFFECT I t's no secret that surgical patients are anxious before surgery and often in pain afterward. That's why we provide interested patients with MP3 guided-imagery audiobooks (healthcare.playaway.com) that they listen to on the days leading up to their procedures. The halfhour audio sessions involve a narrator instructing patients on relaxation techniques as calming music or sound effects play in the background. Patients bring the audiobooks with them on the EASY LISTENING Michelle LaValley, RN, BA, ONC, shows off an audiobook that helps day of surgery and plug in put patients at ease. throughout their stay. (Unlike smartphones or CD players, the surfaces of the MP3 players can be wiped down with alcohol for use in the OR.) Patients who opt for the audiobooks are calmer before surgery, have lower blood pressure and less post-op pain, and are often ready for discharge sooner. They're welcome to keep the audiobooks to lower stress levels while recovering at home or during everyday life. Donna Anderson, RN Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center Duluth, Minn. donna.anderson@essentiahealth.org 2 2 O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | O C T O B E R 2013 Kim Kaiser Soothing Sounds Sooth Patients

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