Hospital Care Tips
Debra American
(https://www.debra.org/other-resources/hospital-care-tips)
Hospital and doctor visits can be especially difficult if staff are not knowledgeable of EB or if the patient's history of EB in unknown.
Having a list of EB Care Tips ready for any visit can help ensure that proper protocol is followed. Below is a list of hospital care tips for patients with EB.
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No tape or adhesives should be applied directly on the skin!!
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Avoid any friction or shear forces to the skin. Move by lifting (not sliding) onto the OR table.
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Cut off an adhesive portion of EKG leads and pulse oximeter probes. Place the leads in the appropriate sites and secure in place with strips of Mepilex Transfer®, Mepilex Lite®, Mepiform® or Mepitac® (Molnlycke Health Care, Inc.). Mepilex Transfer® or Mepilex Lite® may also be used beneath pulse oximetry pads.
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Always use gloves that are slippery (i.e. coated with Vaseline® petrolatum or Aquaphor®) prior to handling the patient.
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If blood pressure cuffs or tourniquets must be used, apply gauze or leave a layer of bandaging or clothing underneath the cuff or tourniquet to disperse pressure at the edge.
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PAD Everything or Dab (do not rub!) with alcohol prior to blood drawing, IVs and injections.
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Lubricate all tubes that come into contact with the patient’s mucosal surfaces with water-soluble lubricants (i.e. Surgilube® by Fougera).
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For tubes that are in direct contact with the skin, lubricate with a petroleum-based lubricant such as Vaseline® petrolatum or Aquaphor® to minimize friction.
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Strips of Mepiform®, Mepilex Transfer®, Mepilex Lite® or Mepitac® (Molnlycke Health Care, Inc.) should be used to secure the IV cannulae. Note: tape can be used to secure the IV lines to a gauze wrap or other bandage, but NEVER directly to the skin. Remember to pad the tourniquet if one is used.
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If tape or another adhesive accidentally adheres to skin, or if any bandage, dressing or other product gets stuck, saturate it with normal saline, Vaseline® petrolatum, mineral oil, baby oil or tap water to gently soak it off.
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If betadine is used for the surgical incision site, ensure that it is largely removed by gently blotting with rubbing alcohol. Some of the antiseptic agents may cause itching when left in place post-operatively.
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Overall, common sense will guide you in caring for the skin of your patients with EB. Remember to alert your staff to listen to the parents of your patients: they have been living with EB and usually know what is best for their child’s skin.
Click below to download the PDF to print on your home computer. Be sure to have a few copies handy to give to medical staff.
https://www.debra.org/sites/default/files/gethelp/Hospital%20Care%20Tips%20(1).pdf