PAP.5.9.050 General Patient Precautions

(a) While providing health care, certain procedures require exposing personnel and/or patients to potentially hazardous conditions. To help reduce the risk of injuries or illness, the following safety guidelines should be followed:

(1) Children will not be left alone at any time.

(2) Special observation will be performed on those elderly patients that show resistance to utilizing the safety devices provided them (e.g., grab bars, walkers, etc.).

(3) Bathroom doors that have an inside locking mechanism will have an external emergency release mechanism.

(4) Procedures shall be established for patient identification within the LCO-CHC. Each patient will be identified by the established procedure.

(5) The water supply system to patient care areas and public rooms (restrooms/lavatories) will be regulated so that the water temperature does not exceed 110°F at the hand washing facilities.

(6) Crutches shall be adjusted to proper length, rubber suction tips maintained, and patients provided with proper instructions in the use of the crutches.

(7) Weak or disoriented patients shall be escorted at all times. Special observation and assistance will be provided for elderly patients when the staff anticipates that they will need such.

(8) Treatments requiring heat should be frequently observed to assure that the patient does not receive a burn or electrical shock from faulty or improperly used equipment.

(9) Patients that are attached to electrical equipment should be frequently observed. The equipment used should be routinely inspected to determine that it is operating properly.

(10) An employee not familiar with the equipment shall be trained on how to operate the equipment and what problems might occur with it.

(11) Employees will attempt to anticipate the special needs of the young and elderly patients when dealing with them. Special precautions, as deemed necessary by the staff, will be taken to assure the safety of these special patients.