Policy Statement
Minor Surgical procedures done at Campus Health will follow these policy and procedures.
Reason For This Policy
NAU CHS provides certain minor surgical procedures for patients. Often those minor surgical procedures may require local anesthetic or digital blocks. This policy will address various aspects of these minor surgical procedures.
Entities Affected By This Policy
Medical providers and Nursing staff
Who Should Know This Policy
Medical providers and Nursing staff
Definitions
CDC – Center for Disease Control
EHR – Electronic Health Record
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PPE - Personal protective equipment
Policy
- Education, training and supervision of providers for minor surgical procedures and use of anesthesia associated with them will be addressed through the credentialing committee.
- Providers wanting to start doing a new procedure will need to show proof of training and/or have the first several new procedures observed by a provider competent in those procedures. The observing provider will sign documentation when they believe the requesting provider is competent to perform the new procedure alone.
- Patients are evaluated and examined immediately prior to any procedure and allergies are reviewed with the patient prior to administering any anesthesia.
- Informed consent for the procedure and anesthesia is obtained from the patient, or if applicable, the patient’s representative, including a discussion of the procedure, alternative methods of treatment, possible risks involved and any questions the patient has. This informed consent is obtained prior to any procedure or any initiation of anesthesia. This is documented on the signed procedure consent form and in the EHR.
- The following procedures are available at NAU CHS Medical Services: incision and drainage of superficial abscesses, mole removal, punch and shave biopsies, insertion and removal of IUDs, insertion and removal of nexplanon, endometrial biopsies, toenail removal or partial toenail removals, cervical biopsies/colposcopy, repair of simple lacerations, arthrocentesis of joints, drainage of subungual hematomas, electrocautery, cryotherapy of superficial skin lesions, and joint injections.
- Patients are selected for procedures after a complete history and physical. Patients that cannot be managed here are referred to an appropriate surgeon. Anesthesia is used as deemed appropriate by the performing provider. Patients are instructed in post – operative routine care and follow up instructions given to patients verbally +/o written.
- Tissues removed during surgical biopsies are examined by a pathologist unless the patient declines this testing. The signed report from the pathologist is made part of the patient’s clinical chart record.
- All persons entering the procedure rooms are properly attired as defined by OSHA regulations and CDC PPE guidelines.
- Appropriate hand hygiene is done before all procedures.
- Surgical equipment is maintained by the nursing staff according to policies and procedures.
Responsibilities
As Above
Procedures
As Above
Related Information
Forms or Tools
There are no forms or tools associated with this policy.
Cross-References
There are no cross-references associated with this policy.
Sources
http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/prevent/prevent_pubs.html
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthcarefacilities/infectious_diseases.html
Appendix
None