(c) Place a folded sheet on the litter for use as the cover. If the patient
is likely to need additional covering during transport, provide a sufficient number of
blankets, made of cotton only. Also place a safety strap, or straps as local policy may
require, around the litter (see figure 3-1). Check the OR Schedule and write the
patient's name on a piece of paper for reference when on the nursing unit. The OR
Supervisor or the OR NCOIC usually directs the specialist to transport the patient.
(2)
Accounting for the patient.
(a) Just before leaving the surgical suite, the specialist should draw a
circle around the patient's nursing unit number on the OR schedule. This will indicate to
other team members that the process for delivering the patient to the OR has been
started.
(b) When he brings the patient into the OR, the specialist makes a
diagonal mark across the circle.
(c) When the patient is taken from OR, the specialist makes another
diagonal mark across the circle so that the final appearance of the nursing unit number
is like this--42A. Thus, the patient is accounted for at all times. The particular method
may vary, but each OR uses some system to save time and avoid confusion.
d. Identifying the Patient.
(1) Report to the charge nurse. Immediately upon arriving on the nursing
unit, the specialist who is to transport the patient reports to the charge nurse,
announces the name of the patient, and is told the location of the patient. The
Specialist is given the patient's chart, which should contain all laboratory reports, the
signed operative permit, and the patient's X-rays. He places these under the foot of the
litter mattress.
(2) Specialist's attitude and manner. The specialist must do his best to
inspire confidence in the patient. All patients are usually fearful at this time of what may
happen to them. Therefore, the specialist must be cordial, considerate, tactful, and
accepting of the patient's behavior. A pleasant greeting and explanation of what he is
going to do will be appreciated by the patient. Avoid flippancy and apathy.
(3) Confirm identification. Having greeted the patient with a pleasant "good
morning" and checked the patient's bed card against the name he has written on the
paper, the specialist asks the conscious patient--"What is your name?" (A sedated
patient will often agree with any question, which requires only a yes or no answer.) The
specialist also checks the hospital identification band (see figure 3-2) worn on the
patient's wrist. Local policy may require the charge nurse or someone else on the ward
to confirm identity of the patient.
MD0923
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