The policy of the Novant Health hospitals regarding the use of restraints has measures that prevent or minimize the use of restraints and seclusion. The policy also mandates that restraints should be used following individualized evaluation of the patient. The policy regarding the use of restraints has a number of specifics including: appropriate alternative interventions; type of restraint/seclusion; sequence of least to most restrictive restraints; order required; communication with patient/family; monitoring; and discontinuation of restraint use. The institution of the restraint use should follow specific procedures which are outlined in the policy.
The first procedure is to gather the suitable equipment. The patient should then be assessed and identified. The physician order is then verified. If the case is an emergency, the order should be obtained during the application process or immediately after. The least restrictive restraint method is then used according to the order given by the physician. Once a restraint has been used on a patient, the patient should be regularly monitored. Monitoring is done through observation, interaction or direct patient assessment. However, the type and design of restraint determine the frequency with which a patient should be monitored. Monitoring assists in checking the physical and emotional state of the patient as well as to uphold his civil rights, dignity and safety (Corporate Restraint Team 2009).
Facility’s policy regarding proper nursing attire
The facility’s policy regarding proper nursing attire applies to both uniformed and non-uniformed staff. The facility’s employees are required to wear clothing or uniforms that are clean, neat, crease-free, in a good state and well fitting. The policy does not permit the facility’s employees to leave the facility’s premises wearing their uniform unless permission is granted by their supervisor. The employees are required to wear their identification badges at mid chest level. If wearing any jewelry, it should be conservative and should not interfere with the staff’s work or patient’s safety.
The policy prohibits the employees from donning offensive body tattoos as well as perfumes, colognes and other scented toiletry while attending to patients. The inappropriate attire according to the policy include: sweat shirts, sweat pants, hooded jackets, attire with unacceptable graphic, denim, shirttail and t-shirts unless permitted by the administration. In addition to specifying the appropriate uniform for the staff, the policy also specifies the appropriate non-uniform attire that can be worn by both male and female employees of the health facility (Long 2009).
Facility’s policy related to standard precautions
Standard precautions in the facility are ensured through the facility’s policy of personal protective equipment. This policy ensures that personal protective equipments are provided to employees who are exposed to dangerous environmental conditions. The policy clearly outlines the procedures that should be followed during the selection, construction, utilization and maintenance of the protective garments.
For the usage, the policy states that the personal protective equipment should be provided to employees: where the facility has determined that there is a need to protect the health and safety of the staff; where engineering and administrative measures fail to minimize exposure to potential hazardous conditions; where creation or setting up of engineering controls are in progress; during temporary and non-scheduled procedures for which engineering controls are impractical; and in times of emergency (Avalos 2007). As a nursing student, this policy helps me to recognize the importance of wearing protective attire while on duty so as to protect myself from hazardous health and environmental factors.
Policy and procedure related to receipt of telephone orders
In most cases, the physician handling a specific case is normally present when medication is administered to the patient. In such situations, the policy requires that the order given by the physician should be in written form. However, in some cases, the physician may be absent thus forcing the physician to give orders verbally, for instance, through the telephone. The only person who is allowed to take the telephone order is the clinical staff in charge of administering the medication to the patient.
When this happens, the clinical staff should record: the date and time the order was received; the content of the order; and the name and status of the person giving the order. The correctness of the order is ensured by the clinical staff by reading the order back to the person giving the order. This helps the clinical staff in ensuring accuracy of the order. Once this is done, it is documented as read back and affirmed. The clinical staff then puts a signature on the order using his/her name and status (Allen 2007).
Policy and procedure for a client who has suffered a fall
The Novant Health facility’s policy on the fall of patients deals with the prevention of a fall rather than on the measures taken once a fall has already taken place. The policy aims at providing a safe haven for patients where the possibilities of falls as well as the related injuries can be reduced. The policy states that patients admitted at the facility’s critical care unit must be assessed for the risk of falls. The assessment is done in three different stages.
The first assessment is done on admission. The second assessment is done under four conditions: after every twelve hours or when a patient’s caregiver is changed; when invasive procedures have been undertaken; when the patient’s condition changes; and when the patient is administered with antiepileptic or benzodiazepines (Corporate Falls/Restraint Oversight Team 2008). The third assessment is done with the use of the Fall Risk Assessment Tool which is provided to all competent staff of the facility.
Reference List
Allen, Perry. 2007. Medication orders. North Carolina: Novant Health.
Avalos, Faith. 2007. Personal protective equipment. North Carolina: Novant Health.
Corporate Falls/Restraint Oversight Team. 2008. Fall prevention and management program: Hendrich II Falls Risk Model. North Carolina: Novant Health.
Corporate Restraint Team. 2009. Restraints and seclusion. North Carolina: Novant Health.
Long, Tracey. 2009. Professional image – uniformed and non-uniformed personnel. North Carolina: Novant Health.