Daycare Unit TR Band Removal Protocol

When the patient arrives at the cathlab, the nurse assesses the arm artery through which the puncture will be performed. The primary choice is the radial artery of the right hand, but if it is impossible to feel the pulse, the left hand is evaluated. If even there it fails, the doctor is invited to assess through which artery the procedure will be performed. Later, by a physician, a 5 Fr Slender with a plastic Surflash type needle is used to perform the puncture.

After the intervention, the doctor leaves the introducer in place and hands over the work to the nurse. Before applying the TR band, all fluids and blood, if present, are wiped from the skin of the hand. The nurse assesses the circumference of the wrist so that she can properly measure the size of the TR band. Then the introducer is withdrawn 1-2 cm, and the band’s green marker is placed slightly below the puncture site but at its level. When the band is placed on a completely dry hand, an average of 15 ml of air is blown into it and the amount of it is noted in the protocol. We noticed that if the hand is larger, it is enough to blow less air, the opposite is true for a thinner hand. After putting on the TR Band, a reverse Barbeu test with a pulse oximeter is performed to ensure the radial artery is not overcompressed. The amount of heparin and the procedure type is noted in the protocol, which is transferred with the patient to the daycare unit.