preview

Elective Caesarean Hypotension

Better Essays

Caesarean delivery is the method by which a baby is born through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus. Statistics show that 166,081 caesarean deliveries were carried out within NHS hospitals in England during 2013/2014, of which 50% were elective. This represents a 2.5% rise over the previous year, continuing the trend of increasing elective caesarean rates (Health & Social Care Information Centre, 2015). Indications for a caesarean section (CS) can include foetal distress, previous CS, breech presentation, abnormal progress during labour, etc. (Vacca, 2013).
This segment will explore and discuss the role of the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) within the perioperative care of a 35 year old patient, undergoing an elective caesarean …show more content…

Phenylephrine was initiated as a prophylactic infusion at the time of spinal placement to prevent hypotension, as prolong or severe hypotension will cause foetal compromise (Eldridge, 2011). Phenylephrine has also been associated with less foetal acidosis compared with using ephedrine (Ngan Kee et al, 2009). The practitioner also observed for any indication of respiratory depression, drowsiness or nausea, which occur due to a high spinal block. Once checked the patient was positioned in a supine position and the level of height and spread of the spinal block was measured using ethyl chloride …show more content…

The practitioner ensured that the patient was dry and was covered to maintain dignity and privacy. The anaesthetist accompanied the practitioner to the PACU to observe and establish that the patient was physiologically stable during transfer. On arrival to PACU the scrub staff and anaesthetist took part in the PACU handover. It is imperative that a formal handover of the patient care is given with all relevant details about anaesthesia and surgery verbally communicated, in order to aid the continuity of care and minimise the risk of omissions (Hamlington, 2012). One study (Kluger and Bullock, 2002) observed that 14% of adverse recovery events was contributed by inadequate handover procedure. The patient was observed on a one-to one basis by the recovery ODP whilst observations and monitoring was recorded. Recordings of respiratory rate, heart rate, NIBP and pulse oximetry were made at 5 minute intervals as laid out in AAGBI’s guideline for postoperative recovery (Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, 2013). Sedation and mobility recordings were also needed due to the intrathecal anaesthesia, as well as temperature, pain intensity, blood loss,

Get Access