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Measurement of capillary refill time

2 mins read Medical emergencies
The capillary refill test is a measurement of the time interval from the release of soft tissue pressure until the return to normal coloration. This article explains the use of this measurement in the dental setting, how it can avoid a medical emergency, and describes the most practical way in which

The Resuscitation Council (UK) recommends the ABCDE approach to assess and treat the acutely ill patient in the dental practice (Resuscitation Council UK, 2011). Measurement of capillary refill time (CRT) can help in the assessment of ‘C’ (circulation), together with checking the pulse, blood pressure, skin colour, peripheral skin temperature and level of consciousness. Dental nurses must understand how to perform CRT competently and reliably.

The aim of this article is to outline the principles of the measurement of CRT.

CRT time can be defined as the time it takes for empty capillaries to fill up with blood. Slight pressure on a finger to blanch the skin (Figure 1) can empty the capillaries of blood. Following the release of this pressure, ascertaining the time it takes for the colour of the skin to return to the same colour as the surrounding tissues (i.e. time for the capillaries to refill with blood) is measurement of CRT. The normal CRT is less than 2 seconds (Jevon, 2014).

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