Emergency Nursing Equipment

1. 0 Here's my question- for you experienced nurses, I am planning to begin my career in the emergency room, and I was wondering if you had any pointers as to what equipment would be handy to keep in my pockets for a shift... I'm sure tape and trauma shears are on the list, but are there any tips/tricks/unusual items you can think of?
   
   thanks!

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2. 11 Comments

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3. 
   #1 0

   Apr 18, '12 by Robublind

   smartphone with drug guide and calculator (used everyday)
   Pens more pens and still more pens (they get lost)
   I always have a 10cc syringe on me after RT did not have one to blow up a cuff after intubation. and comes in handy if you need a urine sample from a foley.
   kelly claps with tape and paper tape
   reading glasses the cheap ones from target (so I can read the microscope writing on the drug bottle) ie add 9ml of saline to...
   saline syringes
   other than that a head on your shoulders and some tough skin.
4. 
   #2 0

   Apr 18, '12 by FlyingScot

   Paramedic shears (I used to shove mine in the back waistband of my scrub pants. The patients found it hilarious). Also, just an FYI...carrying saline syringes in your pocket is a big JCAOH no-no. Not that I haven't done it.
5. 
   #3 0

   Apr 19, '12 by Pneumothorax, BSN, RN, EMT-B

   Quote from FlyingScot

   Paramedic shears (I used to shove mine in the back waistband of my scrub pants. The patients found it hilarious). Also, just an FYI...carrying saline syringes in your pocket is a big JCAOH no-no. Not that I haven't done it.

   Like the flushes when they're wrapped?
6. 
   #4 0

   Apr 19, '12 by FlyingScot

   Yep! They are considered a "medication". Ridiculous, I know but what's new?!
7. 
   #5 0

   Apr 21, '12 by Robublind

   Yep, considered a med but that is why as soon as you see "suits" walking in the door you drop them off in the med room. When Im trying to get 2 large bore IVs in a hard stick pt who is circling the toilet, Im not going to run to the med room for flushes one at a time. When I need a flush I need it now.
   
   Can someone pls explain the danger in carrying individually wrap saline syringes in my pocket. Or is pt care improve by me running to the med room to get a flush one by one? Is there a danger of pushing my CHF pt into fluid overload with a 10ml push? Infants maybe? I would prefer that nurses have these available to insure lines are kept open.
8. 
   #6 0

   Apr 21, '12 by Stevenyzwife

   Pens with your name engraved on them and permanently attached to your body so the docs can't take them.
   Stethoscope, tape, and I used to always keep a clean pair of gloves in my pocket because the bleeders used to always come in during my shift and decide to bleed out when I was walking past them!
   Clamps, scissors and panadol/tylenol plus panadiene (don't know what they are in the usa but they are tylenol with codiene in it also).
   Don't forget to make a sign for the wall that says "bang head here" for the weekend nightshifts
9. 
   #7 0

   Apr 21, '12 by Stevenyzwife

   Quote from Robublind

   . Can someone pls explain the danger in carrying individually wrap saline syringes in my pocket. .

   It's an Infection control issue also. N/saline is considered a drug in most countries and even flushes should legally be written as an order by the docs but hardly anyone does here in Oz.
10. 
    #8 0

    Apr 22, '12 by FlyingScot

    Quote from stevenyzwife

    clamps, scissors and panadol/tylenol plus panadiene (don't know what they are in the usa but they are tylenol with codiene in it also).

    absolutely can't do this in the us! no medications can be carried routinely and especially no narcs.
11. 
    #9 0

    Apr 25, '12 by Pneumothorax, BSN, RN, EMT-B

    Quote from Stevenyzwife

    It's an Infection control issue also. N/saline is considered a drug in most countries and even flushes should legally be written as an order by the docs but hardly anyone does here in Oz.

    I just looked at one of the flushes & it says "Rx ONLY"..funny they arent ever on the MAR lol
    
12. 
    #10 0

    May 5, '12 by airwayguru

    Spare tourniquet, exam gloves in the pockets, and alcoho prep pads.
13. 
    #11 0

    May 11, '12 by mcknis, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B

    Stethoscope, tape, scissors, pens galore(!), mini-Sharpie (for labeling IVs, wound dressings, foleys), small flashlight (will always come in handy), and the dumb Vocera that we are tethered to. When i worked the floors, I always kept etoh wipes, swabcaps, guaze, etc., but no need to weigh down your pockets with extra stuff. keep the essentials around and thats it.

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