HAND CAST HOW TO
HAND CAST PROFESSIONAL

Polyester-cotton: About 7 to 10 minutes to dry and can bear weight almost immediately.Fiberglass: About 10 to 15 minutes to dry and can bear weight after 30 minutes.Plaster: About 15 minutes to cool and 24 to 72 hours to dry.Here are some average casting times for each material: On the other hand, fiberglass casts may only take 20 to 30 minutes to apply. Plaster casting can take up to a day and a half to dry before it’s hard enough to support the patient’s weight. The time it takes to apply a cast depends on the material used. Of course, the patient must also follow a doctor’s post-casting advice at home. Properly position and support the patient’s injured limbs.įollowing these steps will ensure that the casting procedure goes smoothly and that the patient recovers as quickly as possible.Administer local anesthetics if a wound has opened up.Evaluate the patient for signs of pain.Observe the affected area and check for complications.Remove jewelry that may impede the casting.Mask the patient’s bed with linen-saver pads.Follow hand hygiene guidelines and wear gloves.Gather the necessary equipment and check casting packages for air leaks.Obtain informed consent documented in the patient’s medical records.Make sure you review the doctor’s orders.

HAND CAST PROFESSIONAL

Best Steps to Apply a CastĮvery medical professional may approach a casting in their way, but there are some common guidelines that a professional may follow.

You’ll want to make sure that your medical supplies provider has all of these items available so that you can give your patients the care they deserve. These supplies could include things such as the following: Necessary Equipment for Castsīefore you prepare a cast for a patient, you will need a few important items.

Physicians may request that nurses apply or remove casts, while Advanced Practice Registered Nurses can perform a fracture reduction-this means they can set a broken bone. There are a variety of medical professionals that can apply casting, including: Unless you’re medically trained, you won’t be able to apply a cast to yourself or others. Sometimes, you can speak to your medical provider about unique waterproof padding material that can replace cotton. Your patients must keep this cotton dry and clean for optimal comfort. Patients can become frustrated with these casts because of their weight and bulkiness.īoth fiberglass and plaster casting is wrapped over a few layers of cotton to protect the skin. If the cast gets wet, the water will distort the cast shape and cause problems during the healing process. The only problem with plaster casting is that it is much heavier than fiberglass and cannot get wet. Plaster casts are used after a fracture reduction because the plaster can be molded to the patient, giving the bone more support than a fiberglass cast. These plaster casts are used when a patient’s bone needs to be repositioned. Though fiberglass is much more common today, many patients still receive plaster casting. Though not a necessary perk, fiberglass also comes in various colors, making it easy to match any outfit. Today, a majority of casts are made from fiberglass. Fiberglass is also more breathable and requires much less maintenance than a plaster cast.

A fiberglass cast is lighter and meant to be worn for a longer time. The two most common materials used to create casts are fiberglass and plaster.įiberglass casting is fitted while the patient’s bone is still in position or if the healing process has already begun. What are Casts Made From?Ĭasts come in various shapes and sizes and are made from different materials.

HAND CAST HOW TO

In this article, you’ll learn more about what materials are used for casts, who can apply a cast, what equipment you’ll need to have on hand, how to apply a cast best, and how long it takes if you’re a medical professional looking to offer these services to your clients. Casting isn’t something that you can just do at home in most cases, you’ll need to see a doctor so that they can perform the procedure.Ĭasting involves several steps and equipment like a tubular stockinette, casting material, and a plaster splint, to name a few. Applying a cast is necessary to help a bone heal properly after it breaks.

Hand cast