Rad T 216

1. Rad T 216 Adler/Carlton Ch 17 and 19 Aseptic Techniques Medical Emergencies

2. Aseptic Technique • The purpose of aseptic technique is to reduce the number of microorganisms. • Surgical asepsis – protection against infection before, during, and after a procedure using sterile technique. • Medical asepsis – removal or destruction of infected material

3. Radiology Procedures Requiring Sterile Technique • Angiography • Arthrography • Hysterosalpingography • Surgical procedures

4. Sterile Field • A microorganism free area that can receive sterile supplies • Sterile drape • Sterile packages • Surgical scrub • This will be dependent on the facility which exams require surgical scrub • Numbered stroke • Timed scrub • Sterile gowning • Follows sterile scrubbing

5. Basic Principles of Sterile Technique • Only sterile items in sterile fields • If you doubt the sterility considered it un-sterile • Create the field when ready not long before • Below the table or waist is considered un-sterile • Gowns are sterile on the sleeves and front from the waist up • Un-sterile personnel cannot reach over or above a sterile field • Sterile materials must be kept dry

6. Surgical Radiography • Sterile Corridor • The area between the patient drape and instrument table

7. What is an emergency? • Sudden change in medical status that requires immediate attention

8. General Priorities • Ensure an open airway • Control bleeding • Take measures to prevent or treat shock • Attend to wounds or fractures • Provide emotional support • Continually re-evaluate • Know the location of the nearest crash/emergency cart

9. Head Injuries • Level of Consciousness • Any patient who has suffered a head injury needs to be constantly monitored for changes to their level of consciousness

10. Types of Shock • Hypovolemic • Loss of blood or tissue fluid • Cardiogenic • Due to any number of cardiac problems • Neurogenic • Spinal anesthesia or upper spinal cord trauma • Vasogenic • Sepsis, deep anesthesia, or anaphylaxis

11. Signs and Symptoms of Shock • Restlessness, • Apprehension or general anxiety • Tachycardia • Decreasing blood pressure • Cold and/or clammy skin • Pallor

12. Contrast Media Reactions • Anaphylactic or vasogenic shock • Ranges from mild to severe • Impossible to accurately predict • Generally, the longer it takes to develop the less severe • If you suspect a reaction don’t hesitate call for help

13. Diabetic Crises • Hypogylcemia • Excessive insulin • Confusion, irritablility, • Patient needs carbohydrates • Hypergylcemia • Excessive sugar in the blood • Takes time to develop • Excessive thirst and urination • Can lead to diabetic coma

14. Respiratory Distress/Arrest • Asthma • Stress may trigger an attack • Allow the patient self-medicate, get them is a sitting position • Choking • Heimlich maneuver

15. Cardiac Arrest • ABCs • Remember, the first step is to call for help before beginning CPR

16. CVA • Sudden or protracted onset • Slurred speech, dizziness, confusion, loss or blurred vision

17. Minor Medical Emergencies • Nausea and vomiting • Maintain airway, patient on side • Epistaxis • Lean forward and pinch the nose • Vertigo and syncope • Recumbent, loosen clothing • Seizures • Protect the patient from falling

18. Wounds • Hemorrhage • Notice dressings, saturated dressings should not be removed, a new one should be applied over the existing one • Extremity- if possible put the extremity above the level of the heart • Burns • Maintain sterile precautions • Dehiscence • Sutures separate