supplies & budgets

[dosharn, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I try to use items for double and triple duty in effort to maximize storage space as well as to stay within the ever important budget constraints. For instance, at one point we had triple antibiotic ointment, Bacitracin, Bactine, Cool Jel, alcohol (prep pads and bottle) and peroxide (in addition to the time tested and proven soap and water). Another example was alcohol prep pads, sting swabs, Caladryl and Calamine. Are your clinic supplies basic or do you have the whole gamut such as described?

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

I have backed way away from using anbtibiotic ointment, and rarely use peroxide (more to get blood out of clothing than till clean anything).I only use clear calagel, only prep pads for alcohol. Lots of soap and water.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

16 minutes ago, NutmeggeRN said:

I have backed way away from using anbtibiotic ointment, and rarely use peroxide (more to get blood out of clothing than till clean anything).I only use clear calagel, only prep pads for alcohol. Lots of soap and water.

I'm with you. H2O2 is for stains only. Also, with the overuse of topicals we've got to worry about increases in both resistance and allergies.

I do buy my own soap, though. (a gentle NON-antibacterial foam) If I'm going to harp on washing cuts and things with the kids, the harsh stuff that most schools supply just won't "cut" it.

Re: supply budgets in general- I feel like a teacher in that I spend a fair amount of personal funds to keep my office with the things I think it should have...

[tining, BSN, RN]

I am a basic girl + district rules. Soap, Vaseline, alcohol prep pads and a bottle of (rubbing) alcohol. H2O2 for stains. BTW, triple antibiotic ointment has sulfa in it that some people are allergic to. You might check if these other products are actually allowed, they might have been "grandfathered" to you.