edema and tissue that may have developed around the finger. Unless
the bone itself has displaced, this ring-removal method is absolutely
foolproof. It saves a lot of awkward cuts and your patients will love
you for saving that very sentimental piece of jewelry.
Genevieve Holody, RN
Buffalo Surgery Center at Excelsior Orthopaedics
Amherst, N.Y.
gholody@excelsiorortho.com
W
e were having trouble
with post-op patients
calling the center after
hours with questions or concerns,
and leaving mes-
sages on our
answering
machine, which we
wouldn't hear until
we came in the
next morning. To
solve the problem,
we now hand this postcard to every
patient at discharge. It lists the sur-
geon's 24/7 contact information and
emergency instructions. Hint: Our
surgery center's phone number is
not on the card.
Denise VanBuren, RN, CNOR, ONC
The Surgery Center
at Orthopedic Associates
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
dvanburen@orthoadc.com
ANSWERING SERVICE OR ANSWERING MACHINE?
Whom Should Patients Call After Hours?
IDEAS
That Work
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