Kudos
Nina (CCA) thank you for all your help on Sept 24, you are a rock star! And thank you to Heather B for extending on Sept 24. Both of you made the day so much better.
Unit collection specimen errors - we've seen an increase in the number of safety reports related to unit collection of blood work. These have included contaminated specimens collected from CVLs and mislabeled/unlabeled specimens being sent to the lab. In these cases recollections have been required which takes up more of your, or your colleagues, time. Please give yourself the extra few minutes to properly set-up for clean collection and checking specimen tubes before sending.
Interfacility patient transfers - when you are preparing a patient for transfer to another facility just a reminder of several key things for every patient.
- the MRP/resident has written an order to transfer
- medical transportation is not an insured health benefit. Therefore, unless the patient is covered by NIHB it is unlikely that transport is covered. Check with Tracey if you are unsure and the family is expressing an understanding that they are being covered.
- Complete the Discharge/Transfer Instructions (form 102876)
- The MRP/resident has completed the Physician to Physician Discharge Information (form 103381)
- Reminder that only a photocopy of the chart goes with the patient, the original stays here for health records.
RN Licensing Hours - FYI your worked hours for RN license renewal should have been emailed to your SHA account in and around Friday Sept 20.
PIPD Child Life support - starting the week of Oct 30 Alex from Child Life will be located on PIPD fulltime and based out of the playroom. This is being done to integrate their role more into our day-to-day operations as opposed to only relying on SCM referrals. She will attend Charge handover for the first while to get acquainted with the unit wide patient mix.
EPP - Code Black review - code black Emergency Preparedness Plans have been updated following events over the summer. The following is the unit specific content from the plan that has been updated in all the EPP binders on the unit (binders in clear wall boxes at each flow station).
1.
Bomb threats can be received
by: Telephone call, Email, Written note, Discovery of a suspicious package. Personal
appearance
2.
If you are the “receiver” of a
bomb threat, immediately get the attention of your co-worker to alert them by
holding up the bomb threat sign. Make note of caller name and number and obtain
as much information as possible ask questions that are located on the bomb
threat checklist. Alert the MON/CN.
3.
Co-worker is to IMMEDIATELY
call the Switchboard at 3-2-1 and advise “Code Black – bomb threat in progress
(on another line, via email, in person etc.)
4.
CN to ensure area is safe for
staff and patients and refer to EPP Binder and alert the Manager or Manager
on-call then await further instructions.
5.
CN to delegate a nurse from
each of unit 1, 2, 3, 4, flex to record who (all staff, patient, caregiver) is
currently off of the unit and where they are probable located (if known);
delegate desk UA to note where other support staff are located. Delegate to
recall staff to unit via Vocera or text message (if known)
6.
If threat is off of the unit,
staff are to report back to their assigned areas to await further instruction.
7.
If safe, non-PIPD staff
(housekeeping, Clinical Neurophysiology staff without patients) on the second
floor will alert their respective managers/supervisors for further
instructions. If unable to receive direction initially, they will meet at the
second floor reception desk and attempt to contact their manager/supervisor
again OR receive direction from unit CN/Manager in the event of a Code Green.
8.
If safe, Allied Health staff,
physicians/residents report to their respective managers/supervisors for
further instructions. If unable to receive direction initially, they will meet at
the nearest unit and identify themselves to the nursing staff. The CN delegate
who will be noting names of those in the area will record them.
9.
If staff are willing, and are
advised by Saskatoon Police Services, they may be asked to assist with the
search for the bomb as they are familiar with the area and may be able to
identify anything unusual or suspicious.
10.
CN to notify any expected
direct admissions not yet arrived that their admission will be delayed and to
not come to the hospital.
11.
If the Code Black is announced
overhead, staff shall prepare to evacuate. “Code Green” will be activated as
soon as it is considered safe to do so.
12.
Staff will not re-enter their
work area until Switchboard has announced “Code Black – All Clear” three (3)
times or until Saskatoon Police Service or protective services direct staff to
return.
Sharps/Biohazard policy - one of the accreditation follow-up items is to ensure there is a policy on biohazard controls including sharps. Here is the SHA policy on these items for review and available through the SHA policy finder.
