Synopsis
Plan and perform common bedside procedures within competence using consent, identity, asepsis, equipment and stop checks, then verify outcome, detect complications and document aftercare.
- Before any procedure confirm indication, alternatives, consent or valid authority, patient identity, site, allergies, anticoagulation, relevant results and your competence.
- Use the local standard operating procedure and supervision threshold; the same named procedure can require different equipment, imaging or expertise in different patients.
- Create an aseptic field, identify key parts and key sites, perform hand hygiene and protect them from contact according to national infection-prevention policy.
Reasoning priorities
Confirm indication, capacity and consent, identity, site, allergies, relevant medicines and investigations.
Proceed only when anticipated benefit, operator competence, equipment and complication plan are adequate for this patient.
Worked reasoning
A dehydrated adult needs time-critical intravenous treatment. Two peripheral cannulation attempts have failed and a haematoma is developing.
- Stop further blind attempts, reassess urgency, circulation, available routes and the local attempt limit; explain the situation and obtain help rather than normalising repeated trauma.
- Review anatomy, previous access, infection and bleeding risks, then select an appropriately skilled operator and ultrasound or alternative access according to the local pathway.
- Repeat the identity, indication, equipment and aseptic stop check; protect key parts and sites and stop again if anatomy or patient tolerance becomes unsafe.
- Verify patency and absence of swelling before use, secure and label the device, reassess the haematoma, document every attempt and hand over site surveillance and removal criteria.