Nursing the Post Operative Patient: Minimising Morbidity/mortality

As an equine veterinary nurse (EVN) there are a variety of patients that require nursing care post operatively. This can vary from intensive critical care following an exploratory laparotomy, to routine bandage changes following arthroscopy.

Intravenous catheter care – nursing implications to help minimise morbidity/mortality
Harold and McKenzie (2008) detail that thrombophlebitis is one of the most common complications in the horse, with endotoxaemia being a significant post operative predisposing risk factor. High-risk patients suffering from endotoxaemia have an 18.5% increased risk and post operative surgical colic patients have a 7.5% increased risk of developing thrombophlebitis (Mair and Smith 2005). Preventative management is the key, as this can effectively reduce rates of thrombophlebitis (Sitges-Serra et al. 1997). [...]