Truss - measurement

[philly]

A prescription for 'Left inguinal hernia truss'. What the hell should I do with that? Am I supposed to measure the naked patient? I feel that the pharmacy is not the appropriate place to do that. Shouldn't it be done by GP or at hospital?

[bobbin]

A prescription for 'Left inguinal hernia truss'. What the hell should I do with that? Am I supposed to measure the naked patient? I feel that the pharmacy is not the appropriate place to do that. Shouldn't it be done by GP or at hospital?

The script also needs to state the type of truss eg. spring truss, elastic band truss etc.

I've never measured anyone for a truss but I think you just measure around the waist but down towards the pubis at the front. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Once you have your measurement and order the truss, prepare for it to be 'out of stock' or MCS for the next couple of weeks.

If you feel uncomfortable, you do not have to supply the truss. It is not part of the terms of service. You can refer the patient to an alternative pharmacy if you wish.

[philly]

The script also needs to state the type of truss eg. spring truss, elastic band truss etc.

I've never measured anyone for a truss but I think you just measure around the waist but down towards the pubis at the front. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Once you have your measurement and order the truss, prepare for it to be 'out of stock' or MCS for the next couple of weeks.

If you feel uncomfortable, you do not have to supply the truss. It is not part of the terms of service. You can refer the patient to an alternative pharmacy if you wish.

Can someone give me a hint where I can find a picture of how to do the measurement? Do I have to form the tape measure into kind of a loop (ellipse) starting at the top of the hip bone, towards the root of the penis, around the buttock and ending at the top of the hip bone? Could the patient's carer not do it in a more comfortable environment at home? I have never done it so I would be just as good/bad at it as the carer.

The other thing is, why do you suppose it would be MCS?

[bobbin]

The other thing is, why do you suppose it would be MCS?

There are millions of different trusses and they are very slow moving items at the warehouse. Wholesalers only stock each one in very small quantities. It's likely to be OOS rather than MCS, probably.

[Pharmanaut]

There are millions of different trusses and they are very slow moving items at the warehouse. Wholesalers only stock each one in very small quantities. It's likely to be OOS rather than MCS, probably.

Great shakes - haven't fitted a truss since 1982.
Here it is from memory.

Measurements are exacting, but remember you do have a bit of leeway with an elastic band truss.
IMPORTANT : Make sure the patient can reduce the hernia and that they understand they have to do this before donning truss. If the patient cannot reduce hernia refer them back to GP. (I only had to refer back once).
Donning truss is done lying down.
Lie on back hold the hernia and slighly bend the knees but don't raise feet in air.
Patient should feel the mass pop back in through the muscle wall.
Fit the truss so the pad is positioned over the hernia, and that the straps are secure enough not to be too uncomfortable.
Ask patient to put hand behind pad to make sure hernia is still reduced when then assume standing position.

Ended up being the truss fitter as other pharmacists were female- did about 10 or so.

Better if you can get an experienced colleague along to show you.
The medics do this on the basis 'Watch one, do one, show one'

Good luck.

[philly]

I am not gonna fit it. I do not have to do it, I was not trained to do it, there are no facilities to do it and I will not do it. Period

[johnep]

I arrived one day at BTC MK to be informed that I was to measure a truss that day being the only male member of staff. Naturally I had never done this before or had any idea. These days I would simply look on utube. BTC had several consulting rooms that were let to chiropodists etc. What you have to do is as described, ie pt lying on back with underpants pulled down sufficient to find the pubic bone. Tape goes from here around the waist and back down to the bone again. The first one was nerve racking, the rest were so routine that I kept a tape in my pocket.
However, to do this you need a couch and very few pharmacies have these. Explain way of measurement to pt and let his carer do it at home
johnep

[LeftArm]

I am not gonna fit it. I do not have to do it, I was not trained to do it, there are no facilities to do it and I will not do it. Period

Coward

[JonF]

The NPA used to do a guide to the Drug Tariff that had a picture of how to take the measurement. I'm not sure if they still publish it, but you may see an old one lying around in some pharmacies.

Edit: Just found link below

http://www.pharmj.com/pdf/cpd/pj_200...ussfitting.pdf

[Pharmanaut]

I am not gonna fit it. I do not have to do it, I was not trained to do it, there are no facilities to do it and I will not do it. Period

Oh, go on.
Bet you would be up for it if it was a game on the playstation or wii.

Now there's a business idea...