Falls: initiate fall risk care plan if appropriate, make sure patient is safe to ambulate, initiate all fall precautions Electrical hazards Unsafe behavior from other patients or visitors

When a natural disaster strikes, patients don’t magically stop being sick.  I am honored to share the story of Erika RN BSN, who stayed in the hospital 108 hours during Hurricane Harvey providing care for her patients. I am honored … Continued

Evaluate routinely, based on kind of restraint IE if it’s a violent restraint, q15 min at minimum Assess skin q30min, remove q2hr and provide ROM, fluids, toileting, food, and so forth Renew order if still needed

First try alternatives and document that… then use lease invasive restraint or safety device Notify MD and obtain appropriate order, document! Follow facility’s policy to a tee Use appropriate tie/knot – “quick release” Always secure to the bed and not … Continued

Have all other alternatives been attempted? Family/friend at bedside Alarms Regular bathroom attempts and food/fluids offered Promote relaxation Remove unnecessary lines, tubes, equipment Provide familiar material Reorientation Address pain, nausea, anxiety and so forth Frequent rounding Ambulate regularly, if appropriate … Continued

Great reference for this:  Common Breaks in Sterile Techniques, published by the AORN Journal Common breaks Not noticing compromised packaging Not noticing moisture on or in the package Unsterile person touching the sterile field Outside, unsterile packaging, touching inside sterile … Continued

Hand washing compliance is being met Trash is disposed of properly Staff is consistently wearing appropriate PPE

Definition Sterile gloves, mask, and other necessary sterile supplies Maintain sterile technique Follow appropriate protocol if sterile field is broken

Varies depending upon facility.  Can include: No fresh flowers or fruits Ill visitors are not permitted Many people institute or order “reverse isolation” however, per the CDC it “was not found to improve outcomes for neutropenic patients, and isolation is … Continued

Varies depending upon facility.  Can include: No fresh flowers or fruits Ill visitors are not permitted Many people institute or order “reverse isolation” however, per the CDC it “was not found to improve outcomes for neutropenic patients, and isolation is a negative experience for the patient,” and therefore removed from the CDC’s classifications of isolation […]

For example; if a patient is on contact isolation, we must educate the patient and family about the use of gowns, gloves, and hand washing, as well as ensure the staff is aware as well (HIPAA compliant signage) before providing … Continued

For example; if a patient is on contact isolation, we must educate the patient and family about the use of gowns, gloves, and hand washing, as well as ensure the staff is aware as well (HIPAA compliant signage) before providing patient care Depends on level of precaution, but all will involve hand hygiene, gown and […]

Inform appropriate personnel Infection Control department Center for Disease Control Summary of Notifiable Infectious Diseases, CDC (last updated 2014)

Hand hygiene Washing hands thoroughly at appropriate times Surgical asepsis AKA sterile technique Maintaining sterility, sterile items may only touch other sterile items Isolation Appropriate room assignment (private room, or may share a room with a patient with similar pathogen … Continued