Set Up Emergency Department Patient Rooms
Emergency department patient rooms are designed with the needed equipment and supplies to provide urgent care to the sick and injured. Essentially, all rooms include basic patient care supplies. However, specialty rooms, such as surgical suites, may be set up in the emergency department as well. Follow the patient care standards for your emergency department when deciding expand the set up of patient care rooms beyond the basics.
Instructions
1. Place the bed in a center position, ensuring the patient is easily reached from both sides. Do not place the bed against a wall as this will limit access to the patient. Ensure that any ceiling-mounted privacy drapes will easily close between the bed and the door, allowing privacy for the patient from anyone coming in and out of the room.
2. Place portable light stands, intravenous poles and rolling trays against the walls, or in a corner to keep them easily accessible, but out of the way. Ensure that all overhead lighting, outlets, electronic call buttons and medical ports, such as oxygen, are installed and working properly.
3. Stock commonly used medical supplies in drawers, such as tongue depressors, bandages, scissors and gauze. Place commonly used equipment, such as an otoscope and opthalmoscope, blood pressure cuff and stethoscope within easy reach, such as on a counter top or wall mount. Consider dedicating one drawer or cabinet for culture supplies, such as wound and Pap smear cultures, or place them in a portable container.
4. Place an emergency cart in the patient room, which contains non-pharmaceutical emergency medical equipment such as intubation supplies, bag-valve-masks, suction tubing and CPR masks. Consider placing emergency equipment in dedicated drawer space if a cart is not available.
5. Ensure that oxygen supplies, such as nasal cannulas and masks are readily available next to the oxygen port in the room, as well as portable oxygen units. Place suction tubing with both wall mounted and portable suction units, as well.
6. Add a variety of necessities such as patient gowns, drapes, shorts and slippers in a cabinet or drawer, and include both pediatric and adult sizes. Stock a supply of linens such as blankets, sheets and wash cloths, as well as bags for patient belongings, emesis basins, biohazard bags and laboratory transport bags. Include other linens and functional supplies as needed.
Tags: Ensure that, patient care, commonly used, Department Patient, Emergency Department Patient