Page 33 - Orthopedic Casts and Splints2

Performance Steps

34. Inspect traction equipment.
NOTE: Traction principles promote the effectiveness of traction. Friction will reduce the efficiency of
traction, hinder the pull and cause further discomfort to the patient.
a. The weight carrier is hanging freely w/o touching the bed/frame/floor.
b. All knots are secured ( tapped).
c. All traction cords are centered on the track of each pulley.
d. All traction cords are hanging freely w/o touching the bed/frame.
NOTE: If traction cords are touching bed, floor or frame, remove weights and adjust pulley's and /or re
tie traction cords.

NOTE: Traction equipment is checked daily to promote effective medical care to the patient.
35. Give patient verbal instruction on Balanced Suspension Traction .
a. Inform patient to press the nurse call button on the side of the bed rails for assistance if
needed.
b. Padding should always be placed at or around the groin region and ankle to reduce skin
irritation and pressure.

Performance Measures GO NO GO
1. Received the order form the physician ( reviewed if in writing). —— ——

2. Gathered equipment. —— ——
3. Assembled materials. —— ——

4. Checked serviceability of equipment and bed. —— ——
5. Identified your self to patient. —— ——

6. Explained the procedure to the patient. —— ——
7. Positioned the supine patient in the middle of the bed. —— ——
8. Prepared patient's injured leg and ankle for balanced suspension traction. —— ——

9. Checked patient's capillary refill. —— ——
10. Secured (1) cross clamp to the center of each vertical double clamp bar at the —— ——
foot of the bed.
11. Secured single plain bar to cross clamps at foot of bed. —— ——

12. Secured (2) single clamp bars horizontally to the plain bar at the foot of bed. —— ——
13. Secured (2) pulley attachments to the single clamp bars at the foot of bed. —— ——
14. Secured 18 inch single clamp bar to long plain bar proximal to the injured hip. —— ——

15. Secured pulley to 18 inch single clamp bar above the hip. —— ——
16. Secured 18 inch single clamp bar distal to the injured foot . —— ——

17. Secured pulley to the 18 inch single clamp bar above the phalanges. —— ——
18. Secure 5 or 9 inch single clamp bar to the lower crossbar at the foot of the bed —— ——
aligned with the injured leg's 2nd and 3rd phalanges.
19. Prepared Thomas Leg Splint with Pearson attachment. —— ——

20. Applied skin adherent to injured leg. —— ——
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