Fundamentals of Procedural Care

Published on 06/06/2015 by admin

Filed under Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Last modified 06/06/2015

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1 Fundamentals of Procedural Care

Pain procedures are a useful adjunct in managing pain and functional problems. The pain physician, as a diagnostician, can derive valuable information from the results of these procedures and from patient responses. This information can be invaluable in directing future treatment. Knowledge of the fundamentals of procedural care is important to novices and experienced physicians who provide such treatment to reduce complications, eliminate unnecessary procedures, and maximize patient recovery.

Procedure Planning

The patient work-up should begin with a detailed history and a physical examination that focuses on the body part involved. Historical emphasis on the duration of symptoms, previous attempts at procedures, and pending litigation should be well documented. Signs of symptoms magnification and malingering should be noted.1,2

A thorough functional, social, and psychological history should be included. A comparison of historical and physical findings with available imaging studies is essential to complete the evaluation. During the evaluation period, diagnostic procedures can be useful in providing valuable insight into the patient’s pain generator, anatomic defect, threshold for pain, and psychological response to treatment.

When a provisional diagnosis is made, treatment objectives should be outlined. Conservative, nonprocedural-oriented treatment should be undertaken initially if symptoms are not disabling. This treatment should include correction of underlying biomechanical disorders, activity modification in the workplace, technique changes in athletes, and flexibility and strengthening programs. Concomitant psychological disorders also should be treated. Upon deciding to proceed with a therapeutic procedure, the physician should be certain it is performed within the context of a well-designed rehabilitation program.

General Procedure Techniques

Skin Preparation

Because skin cannot be sterilized without damage, the goal of antiseptics is to remove transient and pathogenic microorganisms while reducing resident flora to a low level.3 These agents should be safe, rapid-acting, inexpensive, and effective on a broad spectrum of organisms.3,4 Multiple agents, including iodophors (Betadine), hexachlorophene (pHisoHex), chlorhexidine (Hibiclens, Hibitane), and alcohols, are commercially available and accomplish these desired goals.3,57

The preferred agent remains controversial.3,813 Clinically, the most commonly used agents are alcohol and iodine, with the latter being superior for skin decontamination.16 Application of 70% isopropyl alcohol destroys 90% of the cutaneous bacteria in 2 minutes, whereas the usual single wipe without waiting procedure destroys, at most, 75% of cutaneous bacteria.3

Skin regions with hair should not alter one’s method of skin decontamination. Hair removal by shaving increases wound infection rate and is contraindicated.1719 If absolutely necessary, clipping hair20,21 or applying depilatory creams19 can be safe.22

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