Who Needs Me First?
A post-operative day #1 patient is complaining of 8/10 pain
Important, but not the first priority
A bed alarm starts going off
I can do this!
Crackles, productive cough, oxygen needs, incentive spirometer
Pneumonia
Most effective infection prevention tool
Hand hygiene
Asking questions during the clinical day
Expected & encouraged
POC blood glucose of 58
Priority; Hypoglycemia = immediate safety risk! Rapid intervention should be initiated
An IV pump begins alarming
I can assess, then notify the nurse
SOB, crackles, edema, daily weights, fluid restriction
Heart failure
Bed alarms, non-skid socks, call light within reach, supervised ambulation
Fall risk
Normal! Accuracy > speed!
A patient is waiting for discharge paperwork
Lowest priority; Stable, not a safety concern
PCA informs you that a patient's blood pressure is low
Notify nurse
Black tarry stools, dizziness, low Hgb, hypotension
GI bleed
Tubing connected, correct flow rate, proper device, fire safety awareness
Oxygen safety
What should you do if you make a mistake?
Tell your nurse or instructor! This is a learning opportunity. Safety comes first!
A patient has a new oxygen requirement
High priority; Assessment and intervention should be initiated immediately
A patient begins complaining of chest pain
Get help now!
Chronic SOB, wheezing, low SpO2, pursed-lip breathing, upright positioning
COPD
Prevent pulling, prevent contamination, secure during ambulation
Lines/Drains/Tubes
What should you do if you feel that something is not right?
Speak up!!
A patient is complaining of new onset chest pain
Top priority/emergent
You are unable to wake a previously alert and oriented patient
Emergency/urgent escalation
Fever, tachycardia, hypotension, altered mental status, non-healing wound
Sepsis
5 Rights of Medication Safety
1. Right patient
2. Right medication
3. Right dose
4. Right time
5. Right route
Is it acceptable to not know the answer to something?
Yes!!