Basics
This basic nursing routine step is done before any CONTACT with patient, tasks, or medication. (Not specific to medication administration)
What is perform hand hygiene (handwashing)?
It is where you can find information about a particular skill or procedure; and even get continuing education units for completion. It is a companion to TMS.
What is Clinical Skills? To find this; go to the intranet home page, from the blue tabs on the left-select Clinical References, then scroll down to Clinical Skills
This is a critical requirement/necessity during a emergent or rapid response that can be done by any member of the team; you will need something to write with
what is recording events?
This is who you call if there is a question about a medication label.
Who is the Pharmacy?
You are assessing for what conditions when looking for redness, pallor, swelling, or tenderness on palpation at the IV site.
What is Phlebitis or Infiltration?
This is how nurses are prompted to tell patient's to get their annual flu shots and other important health management tasks.
What are Clinical Reminders found on the cover sheet of the Patient's CPRS file?
This is how the important PATIENT SAFETY TASK of verifying the correct patient is completed.
What is using two patient identifiers? ie SSN, Full Name, DOB
This is where you can find your schedule, open shifts for over time and patient sitter opportunities
What is Accustaff? To find this; go to the intranet home page; from the blue tabs on the left select Nursing; scroll down to Accustaff
These are personnel you would contact with issues or questions with Omnicell
Who are Pharmacy, your Team Leader (TL), NOD
This is how many days until expiration from when multi dose vials or eye/ear drops are opened. No exceptions.
What is 28 days?
After you have completed verification of the correct medication, compatibility, and medication rights; this is checked before actually INFUSING the medication through the saline lock. Can be accomplished by flushing
What is patency of the IV line?
This is the common reference to the four top leadership positions for our facility; Director, Chief of Staff, Nurse Executive, and Associate Director
What is the Quad?
This is the program that maintains staff at the most prepared level for CPR and ACLS to respond to Code Blue situations. We have mandatory assignments to complete every quarter.
What is RQI
This is when you can override withdraw of medication in Omnicell
What is emergency medication need
This DATE is checked on any medication container label. This is also considered a basic function of medication administration.
What is check the expiration date?
This is now the sixth one (after the famous 5), following dose, route, time, medication, and patient. If this isn't done, it didn't happen.
What is documentation?
This the scholarship program the VA has available locally for staff to continue their formal education in Nursing and other Clinical Roles. Must be employed with the VA a full year to meet minimum eligibility requirements
What is EISP/NNEI?
This is who you contact if you forget your Omnicell password
Who is the Pharmacy?
This action must be taken for piggy back's when the medication appears cloudy.
Contact Pharmacy, do not use the medication
This is the formatted method of communication used at nursing shift change and other times by the VA to relay important information regarding a Veteran's condition, medication and other aspects of care.
What is SBAR?
This is basic PPE piece is requirement for all staff, regardless of immunization status.
What is face mask?
This is who you contact if the code cart needs to be replaced?
Who is the NOD after hours or RME during normal working hours? the number and pager is on the top of the code cart
If the opened product or medication is not labeled you must assume this; and take this action.
What is presume it is expired and dispose of appropriately?
This device is used to administer IV piggy back medication to ensure the correct rate is maintained.
What is the infusion pump (alaris) with guardrails?