Whether using paste or collodion, unless we spend some time
removing dried paste or bits of collodion and gauze, the patient will leave the
lab with a scalp and hair that really needs some rigorous cleaning. We all have our own techniques for
accomplishing this task. But I feel that
we owe it to the patient to do the best we can.
In the most recent ASET webinar, Adele Wirch was the presenter and she
addressed the importance of patient satisfaction in health care reform, now even linked to
reimbursement. She pointed out the
impact that staff can make on a patient’s impression of hospital services. A patient who has to pick glue or paste out
of her hair for days cannot think too kindly of the experience.
I recently received an e-mail from a patient who had
completed a "48 hour" EEG recording.
She did not specify whether this was an ambulatory EEG or an in-patient
study. She searched the internet until
she found ASET because she wanted to share her experience with removal of the
glue from her hair after the test. In
her message she mentioned that the tech told her "it would take three days
to get the glue out of her hair".
What surprised me was that the tech did not apparently attempt to remove
some of the residual collodion. He told
her to buy nail polish remover and a fine tooth comb. In any lab I have worked in, the techs do try
to clean up the patient's head. I also
always advise using the official "collodion remover" product. I have heard from some techs that they are
under a mandate to cut cost on supplies so I wonder if this issue was behind
the lack of attention to this detail when the patient was dismissed. However, I think the patient's helpful tip is
worth sharing:
Easy way to remove EEG glue
You will need:
3 ounces or more of Clear hair hydrating conditioner;
A towel large enough to go around your head;
A heat source for the towel such as a blow dryer or a
microwave;
Your usual comb and brush;
Procedure:
Saturate the glued areas of the hair with the Clear
conditioner. Wet the towel with hot water and wrap it around your head. Warm it
with the blow dryer or in the microwave as needed. After about 30 minutes get
in the shower and rinse your head with very hot water. Do not shampoo the
conditioner out of your, hair rinse it out. Finger comb your hair while rinsing
the conditioner out. This should remove all but maybe a tiny bit of the glue
from your hair.
“I had three tiny pieces of glue left in my hair and I used
my fingers to slide it down off my hair with no problem at all.”
I have thanked the patient who took the time to find me and
share her tip. Hope you all find this
helpful.
