8.11. Patient Monitoring During Surgery: Infection Monitoring and Prevention
The role of nursing in the OR is crucial to patient safety and well-being. Among the various responsibilities, patient monitoring during surgery is one of the most important. This monitoring involves continuous observation and assessment of the patient's physical and psychological conditions, as well as the prevention of infections.
Patient Monitoring
Monitoring a patient during surgery involves a series of complex tasks. First, the nurse must ensure that the patient is in a stable condition before, during, and after surgery. This involves checking the patient's vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and temperature. In addition, the nurse should monitor the patient's level of consciousness and response to pain.
Secondly, the nurse must monitor the administration of medications and fluids during surgery. This includes checking the correct dose, the correct drug and the correct route of administration. The nurse should also monitor the patient's response to the medications and fluids given.
Infection Prevention
Infection prevention is another crucial nursing responsibility in the OR. Infections can occur as a result of poor infection control practices, and can lead to serious complications, including death. Therefore, the nurse must follow strict infection control guidelines to prevent infections from occurring.
This involves practicing proper hand hygiene, using personal protective equipment (PPE), properly sterilizing surgical instruments, and cleaning and disinfecting the surgical environment. In addition, the nurse should monitor the surgical wound for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, pain, or drainage. If an infection is suspected, the nurse should take immediate steps to treat the infection and prevent further spread.
Conclusion
In summary, the nurse's role in monitoring the patient during surgery and preventing infections is vital to patient safety. The nurse must be aware of all changes in the patient's condition and must follow infection control guidelines to prevent complications. With the proper training and practice, the nurse can play this role effectively and contribute to improved patient outcomes.
This e-book course will provide a comprehensive overview of nursing responsibilities and practices in the operating room, including monitoring the patient during surgery and preventing infections. With this information, nurses will be able to improve their skills and knowledge and provide high quality care to their patients.
