Procedures
The following medical procedures are carried out routinely at the clinic:
Phlebotomy (Blood Samples) and other samples for laboratory check
Blood samples are taken routinely at the Clinic every morning, though Thursday is not a good day for routine appointments. Patients are generally directed to the practice nurse by the doctors for this procedure. A courier service brings the blood samples, and other samples such as urine and swabs, to St James Hospital Laboratory, leaving the surgery at 11.30 am.
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INR (Warfarin Levels) checked
Patients on warfarin because of a risk factor for clotting can have their INR levels checked on the spot. This is best carried out at the warfarin clinic but the practice nurse can carry out urgent checks on appointment.
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Minor surgery
The doctors of the Clinic carry out minor surgical procedures such as removal of sebaceous cysts and certain other skin lesions and wedge resection of ingrown toenails. Patients are asked to make a routine surgical appointment to have the problem viewed and they will then be given an appointment for the minor surgery. These procedures are covered by private health insurance.
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Liquid nitrogen treatment of warts
This effective treatment for freezing warts can be organised by presenting to a doctor at a routine surgery when this can be carried out or organised. Again, private health insurance can cover this procedure. Follow up visits will probably be necessary.
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Suturing and treatment of minor wounds
Small cuts will be assessed by doctors at the Clinic and advice will be given as to the best method of management. Some cuts may be suitable for “gluing “ together or stitching under local anaesthetic. Some may be managed by sticking the sides together with steri-strips (like cellotape). However others may need to be treated in a casualty department. The degree of distress anticipated in the case of a child may lead to a hospital referral. Deep cuts may need to be explored in greater detail. Cuts to the face may need the close attention of a cosmetic surgeon.
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Dressing of wounds
The practice nurse will dress chronic or acute wounds regularly. She will assess the progress of the wound and liase with the public health nurse, the hospital out-patients or the local wound clinic where necessary.
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Routine Injections
The practice nurse will give injections that are required on a regular basis in the case of patients on long-term medication that has to be administered in this fashion. The procedures will be reviewed by the Clinic doctors according to the usual protocols.
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Nebuliser treatment for asthma
Asthmatic patients who are experiencing an acute attack can get relief by having their medication delivered by inhaling the relieving drug in the droplet form created by a nebuliser. Patients are advised to present early if experiencing problems in the daytime, as their condition is only likely to deteriorate later without nebulised treatment.
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Cervical Smear Taking
Appointments can be made with the practice nurse for a routine smear test. If there are unusual features like bleeding or a previous abnormality, it may be useful to discuss this in advance with the nurse to ensure a doctor examines the situation.
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Insertion of Mirena Coil and Implanon
If a woman decides on the Mirena Coil or the Implanon implant as a means of contraception, an appointment should be made for the doctor who is trained in this regard prior to the actual insertion. The request is made a reception, identifying the reason for attending. A second appointment will then be arranged for the actual procedure.
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Ear syringing
If wax in a patient's ears is causing a problem, it may be removed by syringing it out. The practice nurse has been trained in this regard. A routine appointment can be made. It is requested to put wax-softening oil in the ear canal for some 3 days before this procedure to facilitate the easy removal of wax.
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24 hr blood pressure monitoring
If it has been identified that a patient may have raised blood pressure (hypertension) on routine testing, or if a patient with known hypertension needs further monitoring, a 24 hr monitor can be given to the patient to get a true picture of the level of blood pressure. Up to 40 readings can be taken during the course of a normal day. The need for this will be discussed with a doctor at the Clinic and an appointment must be made with the practice nurse for fitting of the device. (Insert protocol for 24 hr monitor). The device is returned to the nurse and an appointment made for the doctor to discuss the results. A computer print out of the results is given to the patient at this consultation.
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Routine and “Omron” blood pressure checking
The practice nurse will see patients independently to randomly check their blood pressure. Also, the Clinic can give an “Omron” blood pressure checking machine to patients to record their own blood pressure randomly over a four day period. (Insert protocol for Omron). An appointment is made with the practice nurse to arrange this.
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ECGs
The practice nurse will carry out a recording of the electrical activity of the heart ( ECG) by appointment.
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Peripheral circulation pulsation measurement
Patients with poor peripheral circulation or with symptoms suggesting this condition can have the arterial pulsation in their lower limbs measured using a sonic aid. The practice nurse has been trained in this regard and will check patients on appointment.
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Foetal heart monitored with sonic aid
Listening to the heart of her unborn child is a reassuring sound for a pregnant woman. This is carried out routinely at all ante-natal visits.
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