So what! if a pneumatic tourniquet is used intraoperatively: A study of neurovascular assessment practices of orthopaedic nurses

SummaryPneumatic tourniquets are used world wide to provide a bloodless surgical field for a variety of extremity surgeries. However, their use is not without potential for complications such as superficial skin injury and deep tissue injury. This national study of orthopaedic nurses in Ireland aimed to determine orthopaedic nurse’s actual practices in caring for patients following surgical procedures where pneumatic tourniquets were used. A quantitative descriptive exploratory study of 69 experienced orthopaedic nurses reported finding skin insults beneath tourniquet cuff sites as well as extremity pain, stiffness and swelling. This study concludes that orthopaedic nurses have a key role in the detection and reporting of potential pneumatic tourniquet complications and makes recommendations for practice.