Neurovascular assessment in the critically ill patient

Documentation of neurovascular assessment in fracture patients in a tertiary care hospital: A retrospective review

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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Neurovascular problems are common in people who have suffered an acute fracture.

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When these injuries appear to the emergency room, the patient should be reviewed when examined by an orthopedic specialist.

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The objective of the study•

identify if the current documentation of upper limb and lower limb trauma patient is compliant with (British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma guidelines).

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improve current documentation of orthopaedic and emergency department at major trauma centre(MTC).

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improve quality of documentation and adherence to guidelines by introducing a predesigned performa

Management of Orthopaedic Emergencies During a Pandemic: Compartment Syndrome of the Hand in a Patient with COVID-19: A Case Report

CASE

A 58-year-old man presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome and coagulopathy secondary to COVID-19. He developed acute compartment syndrome (ACS) of the left hand. He underwent a bedside 10-compartment decompression of the hand with volar forearm and carpal tunnel release while in the ICU. This report adds to the scarce body of literature regarding orthopaedic complications related to COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Coagulopathy secondary to COVID-19 can be a risk factor for the development of ACS. Frequent examinations of lines, restraints, and extremities are recommended. The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges, necessitating clinical adjustments to best care for patients.

Vascular Assessment of the Foot Surgery Patient

Foot surgery is common. Orthopaedic nurses charged with evaluating and treating patients who have undergone foot surgery are required to evaluate the vascular status of the patient's foot (or feet). As a result, these nurses are often the first to identify vascular issues. This article provides orthopaedic nurses with the background to understand how the patient's history, the procedure(s) performed, and a thorough assessment of the foot's circulation will allow them to promptly identify circulatory problems and potentially save a patient from having a serious complication.

The effect of physical restraint on neurovascular complications in intensive care units

BACKGROUND

To reduce the neurovascular complications caused by physical restraint in intensive care patients, there is a need to examine the occurrence of neurovascular complications and their rate.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of physical restraint on the occurrence of neurovascular complications and their rate.

METHODS

A prospective observational cohort study was carried out. A total of 90 patients from anaesthesia and internal intensive care units participated in this study. Patients were assessed at intervals of 24 h for 4 days using the following instruments: Individual Characteristics Form, Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS), Behavioral Pain Scale, and Complication Diagnostic Diary.

RESULTS

Redness (p < 0.001), limb movement (p < 0.001), oedema (p < 0.001), and colour complication (p < 0.001) increased, whereas pulse strength (p < 0.001) decreased in physically restrained sites on the arm from day 1 to day 4. Redness was increased in patients physically restrained with all types of materials (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p = 0.020). Although there was a statistically significant difference in terms of movement (p = 0.006; p = 0.003) and oedema (p < 0.001; p < 0.001), both with a roll of gauze and tough cuff, these complications were not significantly different in patients restrained with green foam tie (p > 0.05). According to logistic regression analysis, material type, position of the limb, space between the physical restraint and limb, age, RASS, and pain were independent risk factors for neurovascular complications. RASS and pain were independent protective factors against movement complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The duration of physical restraint increases neurovascular complications. This study revealed that nurses did not regularly check the restrained wrist and did not focus on the peripheral circulation. It is necessary to develop training programs, standards, and appropriate follow-up strategies in intensive care units in Turkey.

A collaborative system to improve compartment syndrome recognition

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a rare but serious complication of extremity injury that can cause permanent damage or death. ACS development is variable and unpredictable, and delay in recognition or treatment of ACS can lead to significant morbidity. Our objective was to create a reliable system for recognition of patients at risk and monitoring for ACS that could withstand frequent provider turnover.

METHODS

Using the Model for Improvement, we identified key drivers and failure modes for 2 processes: resident and nurse practitioner proper order entry and bedside nurse proper documentation of monitoring. Interventions were tested in frequent plan-do-study-act cycles. Effective interventions were used in combination to test for sustainability.

RESULTS

Proper order entry increased from 23% at baseline to 90%. Proper documentation for patients with correct orders increased from 15% to 70%. Individual interventions, including pocket card distribution, electronic medical record order set, and direct discussion by team leaders, were associated with improvement among residents but were not sustained with team turnover. Incorporating all 4 individual interventions into the on-boarding process for residents produced consistent success. Nursing documentation improved with education and maintenance of proper order entry.

CONCLUSIONS

We built a reliable, sustainable system to recognize and monitor patients at risk for ACS. Interventions designed to minimally disrupt existing workflows were individually associated with improvement. We achieved sustainability through staff turnover when we incorporated the interventions into routine orientation for new staff. Hospitals can use existing orders and protocols to sustain surveillance for ACS and other acute conditions.

Fracture complications

This article highlights 2 important complications of fracture: acute compartment syndrome and fat embolism syndrome (FES). FES is most commonly associated with long-bone and pelvic fracture, whereas acute compartment syndrome is often associated with tibia or forearm fracture. The onset of both of these complications may be difficult to assess in the nonverbal patient or in the patient with multiple trauma. Careful, serial assessment of the patient with fracture is necessary to recognize and treat these complications promptly. Early treatment and supportive care are crucial to positive outcomes for patients with complications of fracture.

Nursing care of patients undergoing isolated limb procedures for recurrent melanoma of the extremity

Isolated limb perfusion and isolated limb infusion are surgical interventions that provide high-dose regional chemotherapy to patients experiencing a recurrence of melanoma in an extremity. Nurses may be unfamiliar with these treatment options, as they are not available in all hospitals; however, the number of people diagnosed with melanoma is increasing. It is important for nurses to understand these surgical procedures to provide safe high-quality care before and after the surgery. Currently, there are several gaps in our knowledge about patients' experiences or nurse-sensitive outcomes. There are abundant opportunities for nurses to improve the care of patients who undergo surgical interventions to manage melanoma in the extremity.