1 8 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E J U LY 2 0 1 7
P
ost-op pain
doesn't disap-
pear at dis-
charge, so why
should your
efforts to lessen it stop then?
Combining continuous nerve
blocks with ambulatory pumps
to infuse surgical sites with
pain-relieving agents extends
the analgesic efforts of your
anesthesia providers and lets
you perform more complex pro-
cedures in the outpatient set-
ting. We asked a couple regional
anesthesia experts for insights on implementing and managing a continuous
nerve block program that sends patients home with long-lasting relief from post-
op discomfort. Here's their best advice.
• SEEING IS BELIEVING Ultrasound guidance lets providers view the location of
the needle in relation to targeted nerves, so they have a better idea of where the
local anesthesia will spread.
Seasoned pros share their
secrets for managing
post-op pain long after
patients leave your facility.
Kendal Gapinski
Contributing Editor
5 Tips for Continuous
Nerve Block Success
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR