When you first enter into a patient's room, what are some items/equipment that you will assess for in order to promote patient safety?

Question

This is an open-ended question designed to make you think critically--there are no wrong answers. Consider the "WHY" behind each item that you choose. Consider the condition (stable or unstable) of the patient as well as their acuity level.

The equipment/items in a room where the patient has a new tracheostomy are different from a patient who is in labor, right?

Also consider--even if they have that piece of equipment in the room, is it working properly?? For example, the patient may have their nasal cannula on, but is the oxygen on? are they on the prescribed amount of liters of oxygen??

Don't overthink it and just think of some basic items you should assess for in a patient's room.

Answer 1

SCD's and restraints. Make sure they give adequate movement without restricting or causing additional fall hazard or causing circulatory injury to the hands or feet.

Drains, including Foley bags. Are they in place? Are they full? (A backed up Foley will cause grandma to feel the urge to urinate and she's going to go the bathroom, darn it, especially when that morphine made her forget she's in the hospital and just had her hip replaced.)

Patient position. Always always patient position. If the patient is laying on their IV, is the vein blown? If restrained, are they at risk for strangulation? Have you turned them and elevated their extremities to prevent ulcers? Etc.

Never ever forget: call bell. Even on your zonk'd patients. Is their call bell within reach?

Answer 2

At a basic level of safety there are numerous items the nurse must account for each shift they work/time they enter the patient's room. At minimum the nurse should ensure:

1. the patient's bed is low to the ground
2. safety rails are up and bed alarm is set (if applicable)
3. the patient's mobility items are easily accessible (walker, crutches, eye glasses, etc.)
4. nonslip socks are on the patient
5. the patients ID band is visible (especially in pediatrics)
6. the call light is within the patient's reach
7. emergency equipment is readily available and functioning (dependent on the level of care/type of patient, ex: ambubag, suction, etc.)

From there safety equipment can be tailored as stated above. For example, a patient with a tracheostomy the nurse should ensure that airway rescue equipment is easily accessible (extra/different sizes of tracheal cannulas, adaptable resuscitation bag), while a patient in labor would need an emergency delivery kit, infant warmer/resuscitation supplies, etc.