ADMINISTRATION OF INTRATHECAL MEDICATION

REQUIREMENTS #

A trolley containing the following:

1. Top Shelf: A sterile field with two sterile gallipots
2. Bottom Shelf
   • Sterile and epidural pack (if available)
   • Local anaesthetic agent
   • Antimicrobial solution
   • Sterile gloves
   • Sterile cotton wool swab
   • Spinal cannula different sizes
   • Medication
   • Adhesive tape/strip
   • Receiver for used items
   • Syringes and needles
3. Vital signs tray
4. Sharps container

STEPS #

1. Check for the right patient, right medication, right time, right dose against doctor’s order and treatment chart (manual or electronic) as well as the expiry date
2. Establish rapport (Refer to steps)
3. Explain the procedure to the patient
4. Obtain verbal or formal consent from patient and relatives
5. Reassure him/her to gain co-operation
6. Provide privacy
7. Instruct patient to void before the procedure
8. Perform hand hygiene
9. Prepare sterile trolley and send to the bedside
10. Check patient’s vital signs
11. Provide adequate lightening at the puncture site
12. Assist patient into a required position i.e. lying or sitting and supports him/her
13. Open the equipment tray taking care not to contaminate
14. Continue to support, observe and reassure patient throughout the procedure
15. Wear sterile gloves and applies sterile dressing when needle is withdrawn
16. Secure punctured site firmly with a sterile dry swab and an adhesive tape
17. Allow patient to lie flat on the back and make him/her comfortable
18. Document procedure on nurses’ notes and chart on the treatment chart (manual or electronic)
19. Dispose off used items and decontaminate trolley
20. Perform hand hygiene
21. Observe patient continuously for therapeutic and adverse effects