CONTINUING EDUCATION
Symptomatic Spinal Epidural
Hematoma After Lumbar
Spine Surgery: The Importance
of Diagnostic Skills
ALAN H. DANIELS,
MD;
STEVEN S. SCHIEBERT,
DO;
MARK A. PALUMBO,
MD
1.1
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Purpose/Goal
To provide the learner with knowledge specific to rapid
identification and treatment of postoperative symptomatic
spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) after lumbar spine surgery.
Objectives
1. Discuss diagnosis of postoperative symptomatic SEH.
2. Explain the presentation of symptomatic SEH.
3. Describe complications of postoperative symptomatic
SEH.
4. Identify risk factors for developing symptomatic SEH.
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education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s
Commission on Accreditation.
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This program meets criteria for CNOR and CRNFA recertifi-
cation, as well as other CE requirements.
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Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 13019. Check with
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relicensure.
Conflict of Interest Disclosures
Drs Daniels and Schiebert have no declared affiliations that
could be perceived as posing potential conflicts of interest
in the publication of this article. Dr Palumbo has declared
financial relationships with Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, and
Globus Medical, Audubon, PA, as a consultant and lecturer
and also with a variety of law firms as an expert witness, which
could be perceived as posing potential conflicts of interest in
the publication of this article.
The behavioral objectives for this program were created
by Rebecca Holm, MSN, RN, CNOR, clinical editor, with
consultation from Susan Bakewell, MS, RN-BC, director,
Perioperative Education. Ms Holm and Ms Bakewell have no
declared affiliations that could be perceived as posing potential
conflicts of interest in the publication of this article.
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No sponsorship or commercial support was received for this
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ognition does not imply that AORN or the American Nurses
Credentialing Center approves or endorses products mentioned
in the activity.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2014.03.016
Ó AORN, Inc, 2015
January 2015
Vol 101
No 1
AORN Journal
j
85
Symptomatic Spinal Epidural
Hematoma After Lumbar Spine
Surgery: The Importance of
Diagnostic Skills
ALAN H. DANIELS,
MD;
STEVEN S. SCHIEBERT,
DO;
MARK A. PALUMBO,
MD
1.1
www.aorn.org/CE
ABSTRACT
Symptomatic spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a rare but serious complication that
may occur after lumbar spine surgery. Prompt recognition of this complication
depends on the diagnostic skills of perioperative nursing personnel, particularly
postanesthesia care unit nurses. Analysis of a composite of patients undergoing
spinal surgery suggests that neurological and functional outcomes of patients with
symptomatic lumbar SEH often depend on the time interval between symptom onset
and surgical evacuation of the hematoma. Clinicians should consider a diagnosis of
symptomatic SEH if there is a change in the patient’s neurological status during the
first several hours after lumbar spine surgery. Suspicion of postoperative symp-
tomatic SEH should prompt clinicians to notify the responsible surgeon without
delay. AORN J 101 (January 2015) 86-90.
Ó AORN, Inc, 2015. http://dx.doi
.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2014.03.016
Key words: spinal surgery, symptomatic spinal epidural hematoma, symptomatic
SEH, postoperative SEH, symptomatic lumber SEH, lumbar spine surgery,
neurological injury, neurological deficit.
M
ost spinal epidural hematomas (SEHs)
that occur after lumbar spine surgery are
asymptomatic, and SEHs have been re-
ported to occur in up to 58% of patients undergoing
this procedure as identified with magnetic reso-
nance imaging (MRI).
1
Symptomatic SEH is a far
less common complication after lumbar spine sur-
gery, occurring in 0.1%
2-4
to 1%
5
of patients. An
SEH can lead to serious neurological compromise
if not diagnosed and treated in an expeditious
manner.
DIAGNOSIS
Rapid diagnosis and surgical evacuation of post-
operative lumbar SEH are imperative to provide the
best chance for complete neurological recovery and
a positive clinical outcome. Prompt recognition of
symptomatic lumbar SEH often depends on the
diagnostic skills of the perioperative nursing per-
sonnel. The development of new neurological def-
icits (eg, numbness, tingling, weakness, loss of
bladder control) after lumbar spine surgery should
raise suspicion for symptomatic SEH.
6
According
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2014.03.016
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Ó AORN, Inc, 2015
to Yi et al,
7
the clinical presentation of acute symp-
tomatic SEH is severe pain at the level of surgery
followed by development of
n
lower extremity radicular pain (33.3%),
n
bladder dysfunction (33.3%), or
n
lower extremity motor weakness and sensory
loss (88.9%).
Magnetic resonance imaging studies have a high
false-positive rate for asymptomatic SEH. There-
fore, the routine use of postoperative MRI is an
impractical diagnostic tool for the detection of
symptomatic SEH.
1,8,9
Given that the specificity of
MRI is low in the diagnosis of symptomatic SEH
during the immediate postoperative period, clini-
cians must base their diagnosis on the patient’s
symptoms and physical signs.
Magnetic resonance imaging after lumbar de-
compression surgery frequently will identify asymp-
tomatic SEH, however MRI is also a useful adjunct
to the diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic SEH
in certain situations. Specifically, MRI can be of
use in patients with postoperative SEH who have
questionable symptoms and no significant neural
deficit (eg, a slowly evolving cauda equina syn-
drome, which is defined as progressive loss of
function of the lumbar plexus nerve roots of the
spinal canal below the termination of the spinal
cord). Typically, the surgeon would prefer for an
MRI to be performed to determine the location,
craniocaudal extent, and compressive effect of the
hematoma. The real problem with the use of MRI
is that, depending on the institution, it can take
multiple hours to complete and delays the start of
definitive surgical treatment. Therefore, in patients
who have rapidly evolving symptoms and signs of
significant neurological dysfunction, especially if an
MRI cannot be immediately performed, the surgeon
may choose to forego MRI and proceed directly to
surgery.
CASE STUDY
The following is a clinical case study composite of
commonly seen patients experiencing symptoms of
SEH that emphasizes the need for early recognition
and treatment of postoperative symptomatic SEH.
The patient’s primary care physician referred Mr C,
a 28-year-old man with severe lower back and right
lower extremity pain, to the surgeon. Mr C demon-
strated no motor or sensory deficits on physical
examination. MRI analysis showed a large, right,
paracentral disc herniation compressing the S
1
nerve
root. The surgeon diagnosed a right S
1
radiculopathy.
After eight weeks of conservative management
(eg, physical therapy, selective nerve root blocks)
that failed to resolve the severe radicular leg pain,
Mr C elected to proceed with lumbar spine surgery.
The surgeon performed a right L
5
-S
1
laminotomy
and discectomy with decompression of the S
1
nerve
root without complication. Adequate hemostasis
was achieved at the conclusion of the decompres-
sion. After standard wound closure, the OR team
transferred Mr C to the postanesthesia care unit
(PACU) in stable condition.
Within one hour of arrival in the PACU, Mr C
told the PACU nurse that he had increasing pain
and numbness in his right lower extremity. Over
the subsequent 15 to 30 minutes, Mr C also de-
veloped paresthesias in the left foot and the peri-
neum. Recognizing the symptoms as atypical and
indicative of neurological compromise associated
with symptomatic SEH, the nurse immediately
contacted the attending surgeon, who evaluated
Mr C at the bedside. On physical examination, the
surgeon noted that the incision site was intact,
without evidence of drainage or swelling. Mr C
demonstrated no muscle weakness in either lower
extremity, and rectal examination demonstrated
normal tone and voluntary contraction of the ex-
ternal anal sphincter. However, Mr C showed
diminished pinprick sensation over the perineum
and in the right S
1
and S
2
dermatomes.
With a presumed diagnosis of symptomatic
lumbar SEH and impending cauda equina syn-
drome, the surgeon decided to return Mr C imme-
diately to surgery for exploration of the surgical
site and possible hematoma evacuation. The sur-
geon and PACU nurse then contacted the OR nurse
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manager, who arranged to have Mr C immediately
transferred to the OR. The surgeon initiated ex-
ploration of the surgical wound less than 2.5 hours
after completion of the initial procedure and iden-
tified an epidural hematoma at the L
5
/S
1
level; he
evacuated the hematoma, achieving full decom-
pression of the caudal nerve roots.
Mr C had a complete neurological and functional
recovery. Sensation returned to normal within two
weeks of surgery. At his six-week follow-up ap-
pointment, Mr C had no residual pain, and he
returned to work in his usual occupation as a con-
struction worker.
DISCUSSION
Most research regarding symptomatic SEH after
lumbar spine surgery is more than a decade old.
The literature remains important, however, because
of the rarity of this clinical entity and the paucity of
relevant published reports.
Timing of Presentation and Treatment
The patient in the composite case study developed
symptoms associated with symptomatic SEH within
one hour of completion of the initial spinal proce-
dure.
4
Amiri et al
9
reported that the median time for
onset of initial symptoms of SEH is 2.7 hours after
surgery and the maximum neurological deficit oc-
curs at the median time of 22.8 minutes after onset
of the initial symptomatology. These findings high-
light the importance of frequent monitoring, nursing
assessment, and careful documentation of neuro-
logical status within the first four hours after surgery.
Postoperative symptomatic SEH can have dev-
astating effects on neurological outcomes. In a ret-
rospective review of 3,720 patients, nine patients
(0.24%) developed postoperative symptomatic SEH.
After decompression, clinical outcomes revealed
n
complete neurological recovery in only three of
the patients (33.3%),
n
incomplete recovery in five of the patients
(55.6%), and
n
no change in the neurological status of one of
the patients (11.1%).
7
Generally, the patient’s neurological outcome
after surgical decompression is related to the
severity of preoperative neurological deficits.
10
The
extent of recovery also depends on the time interval
from the moment of diagnosis of symptomatic SEH
to the surgical decompression.
11,12
In the composite
case study presented in this report, the surgical
team returned the patient to the OR within two to
2.5 hours of the initial surgery and one to 1.5 hours
after the onset of his symptoms. This suggests that
the nurse’s prompt recognition of neurological
symptoms and the surgeon’s urgent surgical evacu-
ation of the hematoma resulted in a positive outcome
and complete neurological recovery.
Clinical case studies support the need for ur-
gency to decompress postoperative lumbar SEH.
Cabana et al
5
reported positive outcomes in eight of
10 patients with postoperative SEH if decompres-
sion surgery was performed within 1.25 to four
hours of the start of the repeat decompression
procedure. In patients with delayed decompression
(eg, a delay of return to the operating room more
than four hours from symptom onset), permanent
loss of sphincter function or complete paralysis
ensued. Several studies have documented a direct
correlation between the extent of the neurological
recovery and a short time interval from diagnosis
to decompression.
4,13-16
The composite case study
presented in this report demonstrates that early
decompression of the spinal canal has the potential
to result in complete neurological recovery.
Risk Factors
Several studies have examined risk factors for the
development of symptomatic SEH after lumbar
spine surgery.
2,9,17-19
Awad et al
17
conducted a
review of 14,932 patients who underwent spine
surgery between 1984 and 2002. Preoperative
risk factors for SEH were
n
use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
preoperatively,
n
Rh-positive blood type, and
n
aged 60 years or older.
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DANIELSdSCHIEBERTdPALUMBO
Intraoperative risk factors for SEH included
n
requiring surgical intervention on more than
five spinal levels,
n
hemoglobin level less than 10 g/dL, and
n
blood loss greater than 1 L.
In that same study, the researchers determined that
the single postoperative risk factor for the devel-
opment of symptomatic SEH was an international
normalized ratio greater than 2.0 within the first
48 hours after surgery (
Table 1
).
Another case-controlled, retrospective study
conducted by Kou et al
2
demonstrated that signif-
icant risk factors for the development of post-
operative symptomatic SEH were multilevel
procedures and preoperative coagulopathy. Amiri
et al
9
reported that significant risk factors for the
development of postoperative SEH were preoper-
ative alcohol intake, multilevel procedures, and
previous spinal surgery.
The only significant risk factor for the develop-
ment of symptomatic SEH in the case study patient
was an Rh-positive blood group. The patient un-
derwent a single-level discectomy, which suggests
that even relatively minor lumbar spine surgery
may lead to SEH in otherwise healthy young
patients.
18,19
PERIOPERATIVE NURSING IMPLICATIONS
Perioperative nursing personnel should be aware of
the risk factors for symptomatic SEH after lumbar
spine surgery as well as the timing of presentation
and need for rapid treatment. Prompt and direct
communication between the PACU nurse and the
attending surgeon will help guide selection of
appropriate interventions. This clinical case study
was presented at nursing grand rounds as well as
the department of orthopedic grand rounds in an
effort to educate all personnel involved in the care
of patients undergoing spinal surgery regarding
the risk factors for and presenting symptoms of
symptomatic postoperative SEH.
CONCLUSION
Symptomatic SEH after lumbar spine surgery can
lead to serious neurological compromise. Although
the reported incidence of symptomatic SEH is low
compared with asymptomatic SEH, the potentially
devastating consequences make prompt diagnosis
and management essential. If SEH is suspected,
perioperative nurses should contact the surgeon
without delay. Neurological and functional recov-
ery depends on the time interval from symptom
onset to evacuation of the SEH. Early decompres-
sion of the spinal canal has the potential to result in
TABLE 1. Risk Factors for Symptomatic Spinal Epidural Hematoma
1-3
Preoperative risks
Intraoperative risks
Postoperative risks
n
Aged 60 years or older
n
Alcohol consumption
n
Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs
n
Preoperative coagulopathy
n
Previous spinal surgery
n
Rh-positive blood group
n
Blood loss > 1 L
n
Extensive epidural space exposure
n
Hemoglobin level < 10 g/dL
n
Multilevel procedures
n
International normalized ratio > 2.0
within the first 48 hr after surgery
1. Kou J, Fischgrund J, Biddinger A, Herkowitz H. Risk factors for spinal epidural hematoma after spinal surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2002;27(15):
1670-1673.
2. Amiri AR Fouyas IP, Cro S, Casey AT. Postoperative spinal epidural hematoma (SEH): incidence, risk factors, onset, and management. Spine J. 2013;
13(2):134-140.
3. Awad JN, Kebaish KM, Donigan J, Cohen DB, Kostuik JP. Analysis of the risk factors for the development of post-operative spinal epidural haematoma.
J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2005;87(9):1248-1252.
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complete neurological recovery. Prompt recogni-
tion and reporting by perioperative nurses can help
achieve a positive clinical outcome.
Editor’s note: The patient in the case study
presented in this article is a composite and
not representative of an actual patient.
References
1.
Sokolowski MJ, Garvey TA, Perl J II, et al. Prospective
study of postoperative lumbar epidural hematoma: inci-
dence and risk factors. Spine (Phila PA 1976). 2008;
33(1):108-113
.
2.
Kou J, Fischgrund J, Biddinger A, Herkowitz H. Risk
factors for spinal epidural hematoma after spinal surgery.
Spine (Phila PA 1976). 2002;27(15):1670-1673
.
3.
Scavarda D, Peruzzi P, Bazin A, et al. Postoperative spinal
extradural hematomas. 14 cases. Review [in French]. Neu-
rochirurgie. 1997;43(4):220-227
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4.
Lawton MT, Porter RW, Heiserman JE, Jacobowitz R,
Sonntag VK, Dickman CA. Surgical management of
spinal epidural hematoma: relationship between surgical
timing and neurological outcome. J Neurosurg. 1995;
83(1):1-7
.
5.
Cabana F, Pointillart V, Vital J, S
enegas J. Postoperative
compressive spinal epidural hematomas. 15 cases and
review of the literature [in French]. Rev Chir Orthop
Reparatrice Appar Mot. 2000;86(4):335-345
.
6.
Johnston RA. The management of acute spinal cord
compression. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1993;
56(10):1046-1054
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7.
Yi S, Yoon DH, Kim KN, Kim SH, Shin HC. Post-
operative spinal epidural hematoma: risk factor and
clinical outcome. Yonsei Med J. 2006;47(3):326-332
.
8.
Uribe J, Moza K, Jimenez O, Green B, Levi AD. Delayed
postoperative spinal epidural hematomas. Spine J. 2003;
3(2):125-129
.
9.
Amiri AR, Fouyas IP, Cro S, Casey AT. Postoperative
spinal epidural hematoma (SEH): incidence, risk factors,
onset, and management. Spine J. 2013;13(2):134-140
.
10.
Foo D, Rossier AB. Preoperative neurological status in
predicting surgical outcome of spinal epidural hema-
tomas. Surg Neurol. 1981;15(5):389-401
.
11.
Delamarter RB, Sherman J, Carr JB. Pathophysiology
of spinal cord injury. Recovery after immediate and
delayed decompression. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1995;
77(7):1042-1049
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12.
Vandermeulen EP, Van Aken H, Vermylen J. Anticoag-
ulants and spinal-epidural anesthesia. Anesth Analg.
1994;79(6):1165-1177
.
13.
Beatty RM, Winston KR. Spontaneous cervical epidural
hematoma. A consideration of etiology. J Neurosurg.
1984;61(6):143-148
.
14.
Dolan EJ, Tator CH, Endrenyi L. The value of decom-
pression for acute experimental spinal cord compression
injury. J Neurosurg. 1980;53(6):749-755
.
15.
Cooper DW. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma.
Case report. J Neurosurg. 1967;26(3):343-345
.
16.
Payne DH, Fischgrund JS, Herkowitz HN, Barry RL,
Kurz LT, Montgomery DM. Efficacy of closed wound
suction drainage after single-level lumbar laminectomy.
J Spinal Disord. 1996;9(5):401-403
.
17.
Awad JN, Kebaish KM, Donigan J, Cohen DB, Kostuik JP.
Analysis of the risk factors for the development of post-
operative spinal epidural haematoma. J Bone Joint Surg
Br. 2005;87(9):1248-1252
.
18.
Groen RJ, Ponssen H. The spontaneous spinal epidural
hematoma. A study of the etiology. J Neurol Sci. 1990;
98(2-3):121-138
.
19.
Schoenfeld AJ, Ochoa LM, Bader JO, Belmont PJ Jr.
Risk factors for immediate postoperative complications
and mortality following spine surgery: a study of 3,475
patients from the National Surgical Quality Improvement
Program. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2011;93(17):1577-1582
.
Alan H. Daniels, MD, is a clinical instructor in
the orthopedic department at Rhode Island
Hospital, Providence. Dr Daniels has no declared
affiliation that could be perceived as posing a
potential conflict of interest in the publication of
this article.
Steven S. Schiebert, DO, is a clinical instructor
in the orthopedic department at Rhode Island
Hospital, Providence. Dr Schiebert has no declared
affiliation that could be perceived as posing a
potential conflict of interest in the publication of
this article.
Mark A. Palumbo, MD, is an associate professor
of spine surgery in the orthopedic department
at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence. Dr
Palumbo has declared financial relationships
with Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, and Globus Med-
ical, Audubon, PA, as a consultant and lecturer
and also with a variety of law firms as an expert
witness, which could be perceived as posing
potential conflicts of interest in the publication
of this article.
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DANIELSdSCHIEBERTdPALUMBO
EXAMINATION
CONTINUING EDUCATION
1.1
www.aorn.org/CE
Symptomatic Spinal Epidural
Hematoma After Lumbar Spine Surgery:
The Importance of Diagnostic Skills
PURPOSE/GOAL
To provide the learner with knowledge specific to rapid identification and treatment
of postoperative symptomatic spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) after lumbar spine
surgery.
OBJECTIVES
1.
Discuss diagnosis of postoperative symptomatic SEH.
2.
Explain the presentation of symptomatic SEH.
3.
Describe complications of postoperative symptomatic SEH.
4.
Identify risk factors for developing symptomatic SEH.
The Examination and Learner Evaluation are printed here for your conve-
nience. To receive continuing education credit, you must complete the online
Examination and Learner Evaluation at
http://www.aorn.org/CE
.
QUESTIONS
1.
Most spinal epidural hematomas (SEHs)
that occur after lumbar spine surgery are
asymptomatic.
a. true
b. false
2.
The clinical presentation of acute-onset SEH is
described as the patient developing severe pain
at the level of surgery followed by development
of one or more of the following complications:
1. bladder dysfunction.
2. lethargy and confusion.
3. lower extremity motor weakness and subse-
quent sensory loss.
4. lower extremity radicular pain.
a. 1 and 3
b. 2 and 4
c. 1, 3, and 4
d. 1, 2, 3, and 4
3.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans have a
high true-positive rate for asymptomatic SEH;
therefore, routine postoperative MRI is advisable.
a. true
b. false
4.
Clinicians must base the diagnosis of symptomatic
SEH during the immediate postoperative period on
1. a routine MRI.
2. a lumbar puncture.
3. the patient’s clinical symptoms.
4. the physical examination.
a. 1 and 2
b. 3 and 4
c. 1, 2, and 4
d. 1, 2, 3, and 4
5.
Acute loss of function of the lumbar plexus nerve
roots of the spinal canal below the termination of
the spinal cord is called
a. cauda equina syndrome.
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b. conus medullaris syndrome.
c. spastic paraplegia with Kallmann syndrome.
d. tethered spinal syndrome.
6.
The median time for onset of initial symptoms of
SEH is ________ hours after surgery.
a. 1.2
b. 1.7
c. 2.2
d. 2.7
7.
In a retrospective review of 3,720 patients, nine
patients developed postoperative SEH, of which
1. 11.1% had no change in their neurological
status.
2. 33.3% achieved complete neurological
recovery.
3. 55.6% achieved incomplete recovery.
a. 1 and 2
b. 1 and 3
c. 2 and 3
d. 1, 2, and 3
8.
Generally, the patient’s neurological outcome
after surgical decompression is related to the
1. patient’s age (ie, those older than 50 years of
age have an increased risk of poor outcome).
2. severity of preoperative neurological deficits.
3. time interval from the moment of diag-
nosis of symptomatic SEH to the surgical
decompression.
4. placement of a surgical drain at the conclu-
sion of the surgery.
a. 1 and 4
b. 2 and 3
c. 1, 2, and 4
d. 1, 2, 3, and 4
9.
In a review of 14,932 patients, preoperative risk
factors for SEH were
1. symptom onset more than three years
previously.
2. Rh-positive blood type.
3. use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
4. use of opioid narcotics before surgery.
5. age of 60 years or older.
a. 1 and 4
b. 2 and 5
c. 2, 3, and 5
d. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
10.
Researchers determined that the single post-
operative risk factor for symptomatic SEH
was
a. an international normalized ratio greater than
2.0 within the first 48 hours after surgery.
b. a hemoglobin level less than 10 g/dL.
c. blood loss greater than 1 L.
d. a required surgical procedure on more than two
operative levels.
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CE EXAMINATION
LEARNER EVALUATION
CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM
1.1
www.aorn.org/CE
Symptomatic Spinal Epidural
Hematoma After Lumbar Spine Surgery:
The Importance of Diagnostic Skills
T
his evaluation is used to determine the extent to
which this continuing education program met
your learning needs. The evaluation is printed
here for your convenience.
To receive continuing
education credit, you must complete the online
Examination and Learner Evaluation at
http://
www.aorn.org/CE
. Rate the items as described below.
OBJECTIVES
To what extent were the following objectives of this
continuing education program achieved?
1. Discuss diagnosis of postoperative symptomatic
spinal epidural hematoma (SEH).
Low
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
High
2. Explain the presentation of symptomatic SEH.
Low
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
High
3. Describe complications of postoperative symptom-
atic SEH.
Low
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
High
4. Identify risk factors for developing symptomatic
SEH.
Low
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
High
CONTENT
5. To what extent did this article increase your
knowledge of the subject matter?
Low
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
High
6. To what extent were your individual objectives met?
Low
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
High
7. Will you be able to use the information from this
article in your work setting?
1.
Yes
2.
No
8. Will you change your practice as a result of reading
this article? (If yes, answer question #8A. If no,
answer question #8B.)
8A. How will you change your practice? (Select all that
apply)
1. I will provide education to my team regarding
why change is needed.
2. I will work with management to change/
implement a policy and procedure.
3. I will plan an informational meeting with
physicians to seek their input and acceptance
of the need for change.
4. I will implement change and evaluate the
effect of the change at regular intervals until
the change is incorporated as best practice.
5. Other:________________________________
8B. If you will not change your practice as a result of
reading this article, why? (Select all that apply)
1. The content of the article is not relevant to my
practice.
2. I do not have enough time to teach others
about the purpose of the needed change.
3. I do not have management support to make a
change.
4. Other: ________________________________
9. Our accrediting body requires that we verify
the time you needed to complete the 1.1 con-
tinuing education contact hour (66-minute)
program: ________________________________
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Document Outline - AORN_JanuaryConfirms_IL2 100.pdf
- AORN_JanuaryConfirms_IL2 92.pdf
- AORN_JanuaryConfirms_IL2 93.pdf
- AORN_JanuaryConfirms_IL2 94.pdf
- AORN_JanuaryConfirms_IL2 95.pdf
- AORN_JanuaryConfirms_IL2 96.pdf
- AORN_JanuaryConfirms_IL2 97.pdf
- AORN_JanuaryConfirms_IL2 98.pdf
- AORN_JanuaryConfirms_IL2 99.pdf
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