... from health care professionals
- What are Sea-Bands?
- What would they be used for?
- Are Sea-Bands cost effective?
- How do they work?
- How long do they take to work?
- When should they be administered?
- Do they have any side effects?
- Can they be used in combination with anti-emetic
drugs?
- Are there any contra-indications for Sea-Band
use?
- Can they be used on Children?
- Do they interfere with IVs?
- Do Sea-Bands contain Latex?
- What clinical data/research is available
to support their use?
- Is there an information brochure available
for my patients with questions?
What
are Sea-Bands?
-
Sea-Bands
are a low-cost, clinically proven, drug free alternative
treatment for the control of nausea and vomiting.
-
Sea-Bands
are acupressure bands that fit around the patient's wrist
just like a sweat band-with a pressure knob sewn inside.
-
A
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center study using Sea-Bands
acupressure on post-op patients reduced the incidence
of nausea to 10% - a two-thirds reduction.
What
would they be used for?
Sea-Bands will benefit persons
suffering with nausea and vomiting associated with:
- Chemotherapy
- Anaesthesia
- Motion
- Pregnancy
Are
Sea-Bands cost effective?
Yes, tests conducted on post-operative
patients in hospitals have shown that Sea-Bands have a direct
effect on the cost of care by reducing:
- the length of recovery - patients are
more likely to recover quickly if they are not experiencing
nausea
- Amount of anti-emetic drugs administered
- PACU nursing care
- Unplanned admissions related to nausea
and vomiting following out-patient procedures
When Sea-Bands are placed
on a patient prior to surgery, many do not suffer with nausea
or vomiting. those patients who still need anti-emetic drugs
may be subjected to fewer drugs and lower doses.
It has been cited that Sea-Bands
are "As effective as ordinary anti-emetics; completely
devoid of side effects".
How
do they work?
A plastic knob is sewn into
the inside of the wrist band which exerts pressure and stimulates
the P6 (or Nei-Kuan) acupressure point. It has been proven
that pressure on this point relieves nausea and vomiting.
How
long do they take to work?
Nausea is typically reduced
within 5 minutes after Sea-Bands are applied.
When
should they be administered?
- Sea-Bands may be applied as a preventative
measure before the onset of nausea (such as before surgery
to reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting associated with
anaesthesia).
- Sea-Bands may also be applied after the
onset of nausea.
Do
they have any side effects?
Sea-Bands are drug free, and
have no side effects.
Can
they be used in combination with anti-emetic drugs?
Yes, Sea-Bands can be used
with any other drugs.
Are
there any contra-indications for Sea-Band use?
There are no contra-indications.
Can
they be used on Children?
Yes, Sea-Bands have been used
successfully on children as young as two years of age. However,
they must fit snugly around the wrist to work.
Do
they interfere with IVs?
Roseann Ferrara-Love, MSN,
RN, CPAN, CAPA, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, pointed
out in her lecture at the ASPN conference (1999) that the
pressure is not great enough from the wrist bands to effect
the flow of an IV.
She did suggest, however,
that the band be placed on a patients wrist - prior to an
IV - only to ensure that the IV was not placed too close to
the P6 point where the band must be positioned to work effectively.
Do
Sea-Bands contain Latex?
No, Sea-Bands are Latex-free.
What
clinical data/research is available to support their use?
Selected studies mentioned
in this literature include:
- Rose Ferrara-Love, MSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA,
Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Postoperative Nausea, 1996
American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.
- Stannard, DM (1989) Pressure Prevents
Nausea, Nursing Times p33-34
- Effect of Stimulation of the P6 Anti-emetic
Point on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting. British Journal
of Anesthesia, 1980
Is
there an information brochure available for my patients with
questions?
There is a free brochure specifically
for patients explaining the benefits of Sea-Bands, with instructions
for their use.
They are available in packs
of 12.
Sea-Band International,
15 Vernon Avenue, Unit 6, Newport, RI 02840 0991
Telephone:
401 841 5900 | Fax: 401 841 5937
E-mail:
usa@sea-band.com
Made in England
Sea-Band®
is a Registered Trademark
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