(This does not include medications) At home oxygen and supplies, CPAP’s, assistive devices, drains, tubes, and so forth. Make sure assistive devices are sized appropriately Crutches not too tall, walker not to short, and so forth Make sure they know how to use assistive devices Make sure they know who to call if they have […]

Various factors can influence the likelihood that a  patient will get injured Age and developmental stage: elderly as well patients that may physically be older, but mentally younger Lifestyle: do they use seat belts? Do they drive impaired (alcohol, texting/using their smartphone?) Do they use drugs recreationally? Do they own guns? Mental status:  confusion, meds […]

Many facilities have various protocols on how to deal with various safety issues Falls Armed intruder Large patient influx/at capacity Infant abduction Weather issues Acts of terrorism Unsafe/violent patients or visitors Know how to safely exit building and expectations of how to get patients out Know what you need to do as a nurse for […]

Visual: can they see what’s in front of them while walking? Can they see that they are taking the appropriate medication? Hearing: can they hear someone speaking to them or yelling at them? Can they hear if they are in danger? Sensory/perceptual: can they feel if they are too hot or cold?

Know your state board of nursing Do not attempt to provide care outside of this scope – it is illegal Example: Texas Board of Nursing https://www.bon.texas.gov/practice_scope_of_practice_rn.asp

Substance abuse/diversion Improper care Staffing practices

Abuse and neglect Child, elderly, domestic Know your local reporting agencies (Child Protective Services) Communicable diseases Vaccine Adverse Event Reaction System (VAERS, vaers.hhs.gov) Report to Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2016 list of reportable conditions: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nndss/conditions/notifiable/2016/ Adverse reactions to vaccinations Local organ procurement organizations with patients with a GCS less than 5 (may depend on […]

To be clinically appropriate medical interpreter, you must have appropriate credentials This is important because medical jargon is very different from fluency in a language, therefore competency and knowledge of specific medical jargon in various languages must be verified prior to the facility being able to say one is an official medical interpreter

Be able to know when something is outside of your comfort zone High risk, low frequency procedures Know your chain of command for both clinical “how-to” situations and also administration issues Document appropriately

Most facilities have policies and procedures to properly secure valuables Ideally, valuables are given to family/friends to be taken home and secured If this is not possible, there should be a secured and locked location within the facility to keep valuables Paperwork must be completed, appropriate documentation maintained Patients may experience a sudden trauma (MVA) […]