Final answer:
Essential OR considerations for pediatric patients include weighing blood-soaked sponges and diapers to monitor blood and fluid loss, using size-appropriate supplies and instruments, maintaining the warmth of the room, and ensuring a sterile environment and proper hand hygiene among the surgical team.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several essential operating room (OR) considerations for the pediatric patient to ensure a safe and effective procedure. Among these, it is critical to:
- Weigh blood-soaked sponges to estimate blood loss, especially since children are more susceptible to significant blood loss due to their smaller blood volume.
- Weigh diapers to estimate urinary output (UO) as a part of monitoring fluid balance and renal function.
- Use appropriate size instruments, drapes, and supplies that are proportional to the small size of pediatric patients.
- Warm the room to maintain the child's body temperature during surgery, as children are more prone to hypothermia.
- Ensure that instruments are never laid on the patient because the weight of the instrument may cause injury due to the patient's delicate tissue and smaller body size.
Other important practices include verifying the patient's identity, surgical site, and obtaining consent, ensuring that handwashing and surgical scrubbing protocols are meticulously followed, and that a sterile field is maintained throughout the procedure to prevent sepsis.
All team members should be introduced, and there should be a clear communication regarding the name of the procedure, critical events anticipated, and equipment issues. If there's a risk of significant blood loss, health care workers must prepare for appropriate access and fluids. Post-surgery, the care considerations should be reviewed with the anesthesia professional and nursing staff to ensure proper recovery and care of the patient.