Need to identify and discuss safety considerations

[wdr61]

Hello,

I have been working all week on a huge paper. I have already compiled nine single spaced pages for other areas of the assignment. This is the last section. Any help would be appreciated. I have already spent a couple of hours searching the forum with no luck. Maybe I am just burnt out. Here is the assignment.

"List 5 safety considerations the LPN needs to be aware of when caring for patient's in the ECF. Be specific and explain your answer."

Thank you,

wdr61

[matilda123]

can we assume you mean extended care facility?

what do you have so far?

[wdr61]

I also have to assume that ECF means LTC. Here is what I have come up with to try to satisfy this portion of the essay.

The LPN must practice the proper precautions when treating their patients. Asepsis is very important in the prevention of infection and the spreading of disease. Hand washing, use of new gloves for each procedure and the proper disposal of biohazard materials are just some of the precautions the nurse must always practice.

The LPN must always verify the identification of the resident. They should use at least two resident identifiers when providing care, treatment or services. This is just good nursing practice and will reduce or eliminate giving the patient the wrong medication, treatment, or food.

The LPN needs to accurately and completely distribute medications. They need to make certain that the medications given to a patient are those ordered. If something does not seem correct it is the LPN’s responsibility to advocate for the patient and question the medication. The LPN should never give medicine that they feel is incorrect.

Falling is a big problem that can often result in injury to the patient. Using night lights, toileting the patient frequently before they have the urge to void or defecate, and the use and placement of call buttons must be a standard practice. To further minimize the hazard of falling it is essential that the LPN asses each patient in their care for this risk. Having a patient sit up for a couple of moments can help their blood pressure stabilize prior to standing. When the patient’s needs are being met they will be less likely to try to do things that they are incapable of doing for themselves.

The last precaution I will mention here is that of preventing pressure ulcers. The LPN needs to periodically reassess each patient’s risk for developing pressure ulcers. They need to take action to prevent this problem by first identifying the patient’s at risk and then making sure that these patients’s are turned frequently. When turning a patient special techniques need to implemented and often times assistance is necessary. When turning patient’s the LPN must assess the condition of the patient and the bedding. Clean wrinkle free bedding provides more comfort and reduces pressure ulcers.

http://www.jointcommission.org/PatientSafety/NationalPatientSafetyGoals/08_ltc_npsgs.htm

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

just for fun, here are the federal laws that pertain to ltc. i'm sure if you click on some of these that you will find some of them to involve safety. . .http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_05/42cfr483_05.html

i suggest you look at 483.70 (physical environment) and 483.356 (protection of residents - this and subsequent sections addresses the use of restraints)