Aim
To educate staff on a specific technique to use topical anaesthetic with an aim to replace the need for procedural sedation for repair of certain types of skin lacerations.
Outcomes
- reduced patient length of stays (90 mins vs 5-6 hours), thereby reducing bed pressures
- less distress to patients and carers
- cost savings
- released staff time
- improved staff satisfaction.
Background
Nurse practitioner Louise Spooner piloted this technique at The Prince Charles Hospital Children’s Emergency Department (ED) in response to the fact that children presenting to the ED with lacerations needing suturing often require procedural sedation, and sometimes inter-facility transfer to effectively manage the pain and enable wound closure.
Topical anaesthetic has been widely used for pain reduction in laceration injuries, however it is less commonly used to the extent to replace procedural sedation. A Standing Order was introduced to recommend a specific technique using topical anaesthetic (Laceraine®), accompanied by a staff education campaign.
