Healthcare Traveler - September 2008 - (Page 42)

Clinical Tips Cool ice packs for cool kids With the continued warmer weather, kids will still be out running around and falling victim to the occasional bump, bruise, or strain. Ice treatment is used to help minimize swelling and reduce pain in the rst 48 hours a er one of these minor injuries. If you have youngsters, it’s a good idea to have some ice packs on hand. Instead of frozen vegetables or commercially available packs, make your own, and involve the kids. at way, they’re more likely to “keep it on” if the need arises. Here are some suggestions: To control leakage, double some plastic bags, and fill them with ice and a shot of rubbing alcohol. Then ask your child to pick his favorite food coloring and add a few drops. Store these in the freezer for up to one month. Cut different-colored cellulose sponges into kid-friendly shapes; wet and then freeze them. They won’t be as CLINICAL PEARLS FROM THE EXPERTS Bloodwork and BP readings for mastectomy patients Mastectomy patients o en need to have blood drawn or have their blood pressure measured. Performing these procedures on the same side as a mastectomy carries a risk of secondary lymphedema in that extremity if the lymph nodes have been removed. With many newer procedures, only a lumpectomy is performed, which does not involve the lymph nodes. Blood pressures and venipunctures can safely be done on these patients on the operative side. We are seeing more female patients who have elected to have bilateral prophylactic mastectomies to avoid breast cancer. Because this operation is not being performed for cancer treatment, lymph node removal is not necessary. In the patient who has had a radical mastectomy with lymph node dissection and is at least five years post-op with no cold as “ice packs” but can still be effective in relieving pain and swelling. If you can convince your child it won’t hurt them, freeze mini beanbag critters. en you can explain to your child the animal is helping the “hurt” get better. A couple of reminders when using any type of ice pack: To avoid injury, be sure the skin is covered with a towel or other barrier prior to application. Do not leave an ice pack on any given area for more than 20 minutes. Sally Beattie, RN, MS, CNP, GNP PHOTO: JIM SHIVE Are you looking in the right places Life doesn’t need to be thisGLI¿ FXOW •)UHH¿ UVWGD\PHGLFDOGHQWDO for your next assignment? 1DWLRQDOWUDYHORSSRUWXQLWLHV )UHHSULYDWHKRXVLQJ 'RXEOHWLPHSD\IRURYHUWLPH 7RSSD\ 7D[DGYDQWDJH :HHNO\SD\ N At Curastat, our Housing Specialists are available throughout your entire assignment. How important is HOUSING? Call today and let Curastat find your next travel assignment! 888-865-7828 Apply online: www.curastat.com *For most assignments. EEO Circle Career Card No. 614 42 Healthcare Traveler September 2008 www.healthcaretraveler.com http://www.curastat.com http://www.curastat.com http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

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Healthcare Traveler - September 2008 Editor's Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes Regional Differences in the ED Joining Together Drug Update Clinical Tips Cityscape Advertiser's Index Name It Travel Tips Big Deals Tax Facts Dot.com Contest Rules Allied Corner Going the Distance Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - September 2008

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