An inpatient room refers to the patient rooms in a hospital, while outpatient rooms refer to patient rooms that are in doctor's offices and are used for short visits rather than overnight stays. Certain equipment is required for inpatient rooms in order to provide for possible problems that may result during a patient's stay at the hospital.
Call Button
Along with the hospital bed and sink, the nurse calling system is one of the most essential requirements for the inpatient room. The call button usually resembles a video game joystick attached to a cord and is used by the patient to call a nurse quickly to the bedside for immediate assistance. The call button may also be referred to as an emergency button, emergency call button or call light.
Oxygen Hookup
Oxygen equipment, including oxygen mask, tubing and an oxygen tank are also required in an inpatient room for those situations in which supplemental oxygen is needed. If the oxygen equipment is stored in a separate room, staff members risk the chance that the equipment will not get to the patient room in adequate time, which could result in a catastrophe.
Suction Machine
The suction machine is a requirement because it is used to remove liquid build-up from the airways and lungs. Because the liquid often needs to be removed quickly and in emergency situations, it needs to be readily available.
Back Board
Performing CPR (or cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is not as effective when performed on a patient lying on a mattress, because the mattress will bounce up and down when staff press down on the patient's chest. A back board was designed as a firm, straight board that may be placed under the patient's back while CPR is performed. The back board is often built as the headboard or footboard of the bed and can be easily pulled off in emergency situations.
Ambu Bag
In addition to the back board, an ambu bag is another inpatient room requirement needed for CPR performance. The ambu bag resembles a balloon attached to a face mask, and is used to pump air into the lungs and air passages; it is also called a bag valve mask. The ambu bag may also be attached via tubing to a oxygen tank to deliver fresh, pure oxygen to the lungs. The ambu bag is a safer alternative to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Tags: inpatient room, call button, back board, emergency situations, oxygen tank