infection-free and the catheter stays in
place.
• Use sterile technique for the procedure,
including prepping the site with chlorhexi-
dine before inserting nerve blocks
• Apply a topical skin adhesive at the site
to prevent leaking and for catheter secure-
ment
• Place a biopatch over top of the dried
skin adhesive to prevent infection
• Wrap the catheter with two loops and put
steri-strips over top to hold it in place
• Place a clear occlusive dressing over that
to prevent infection
You may find a different catheter wrapping
that works for you. I like this method because if something pulls on
the catheter, the loops unravel instead of the catheter getting pulled
out.
Backbone of a good program
A successful nerve block program shows your patients that your facil-
ity is committed to effectively managing their pain and getting them
home quicker — with little or no opioids — but only if your anes-
thetists are well trained in the latest ultrasound guidance and other
techniques that increase their block success rates and patient safety.
That's the backbone of a good continuous nerve block program.
OSM
M A Y 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 7 5
Mr. Schneider (adschne@gmail.com) is a nurse anesthetist at Paris (Ill.)
Community Hospital, a lecturer in the doctorate nurse anesthesia program at
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, co-founder of the American Academy
of CRNAs and co-founder of Evolutionary Anesthesia and Pain Management
Company.
• MAKE 'EM TWITCH Nerve stimulation
lets you verify you've got the right nerve by
making the limb it's attached to twitch.
