Taking basal readings for GA cases

Re: Taking basal readings for GA cases

SmegSlayer — Fri, 07 May 2010 10:28:58 GMT

it's a great idea and obv best practice as soem animals may naturally have a higher or lower HR, RR or temp than the norm. Helps with maintaining your anaesthetic if you know what they are normally and prevents you over cooking them on recovery.

Re: Taking basal readings for GA cases

louise170388 — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:16:15 GMT

As a locum iv worked in many practices, most of which don't do any pre-GA checks!

I try to make sure it gets done but its hard to teach an old dog new tricks and if the practice as a whole doesn't do it they aren't usually too bothered about starting..

I think its a v good idea tho myself..

Re: Taking basal readings for GA cases

Sue Cox — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:05:49 GMT

the question is Phrin how many mixed practices, do this?

I am well on board with it, its all important stuff, we will have to invent our own anaesthetic chart! just had a thought, maybe our inpatients nurse could do it- cos theyre on an early shift and sometimes have no inpatients....hmmm... we will have to have a nurse meeting!

Re: Taking basal readings for GA cases

Kim Buckley — Wed, 05 May 2010 09:05:02 GMT

I was adding a space for this on our anaesthetic charts yesterday. Doesn't take long and can spot problems. Seems very worthwhile to me!

Re: Taking basal readings for GA cases

StephSVN — Wed, 05 May 2010 01:24:10 GMT

I am in general practice and we do it! We have a designated nurse on it in the mornings, who then becomes second ops nurse. Our anaesthetic sheets have boxes at the top for TPR, mucous membrane colour and CRT. Everything else is checked but only written down if abnormal (which would then be checked by vet before premed) - in the box for "Clinical Exam Comments" - this also gives us space to write if patient is very stressed/very hyper etc.

If we are short staffed it is the 'obs' nurse role that is removed, leaving one ops nurse to do these so do sometimes get neglected - but I always make sure I do my patients!

Re: Taking basal readings for GA cases

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 04 May 2010 22:43:18 GMT

[quote user="Phrin SVN"]

Oooh! I like!

But you were in referral practice - how many GP practices take basal readings?

I would really like to get our vets on board with this, and to be able to tell them its the done thing in GP as well as referral!

[/quote]

Yes I was in referral practice, but I personally think it's good standard practice. Only a few minutes just before you premed a dog. Does it really take up too much time???

Re: Taking basal readings for GA cases

Steph Worsley — Tue, 04 May 2010 22:42:41 GMT

we used to do them on admit (there was a section on the consent form) so if there were any probs we could refer to the vet and then they would decide on proceeding,

Re: Taking basal readings for GA cases

Phrin Vernon RVN — Tue, 04 May 2010 22:38:06 GMT

Oooh! I like!

But you were in referral practice - how many GP practices take basal readings?

I would really like to get our vets on board with this, and to be able to tell them its the done thing in GP as well as referral!

Re: Taking basal readings for GA cases

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 04 May 2010 22:34:48 GMT

Yup there was a little box on the GA sheet and the initials of the person who performed it!

Re: Taking basal readings for GA cases

Phrin Vernon RVN — Tue, 04 May 2010 22:33:53 GMT

Did the basal readings get recorded though?

Our tutor today was suggesting (and it does make sense!) that to have basal TPR, peripheral and central pulse quality, chest sounds, crt and mm colour recorded on the GA chart makes it so much easier to spot a problem!

Re: Taking basal readings for GA cases

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 04 May 2010 22:28:44 GMT

ALL GA/Sedation patients would get checked out by a vet whether intern or anaesthetist prior to premed or sedation.

Think it should be standard especially in sick/critical patients