CARE OF PATIENT UNIT – Definition, Purpose, Principles & Nursing Procedures

Updated 2024

CARE OF PATIENT UNIT

The duty of the nurse is to ensure that the patients unit is kept clean and tidy at all times. She should learn all the cleaning skills in order to teach others and should willingly clean where necessary. The patient and his relatives are also taught to keep the unit clean and tidy.

DEFINITION

• Care of patient unit is defined as
  keeping the patients unit clean, neat and tidy. It also helps to provide
  maximum comfort to the patient
• Patients unit is the area furnished and
  equipped according to the need to give adequate care to the patient
• Sufficient air movement to evaporate
  sweats and favors vascular changes within the skin
• Atmospheric pressure within man’s
  tolerance
• Provision for disposed of
  refuse/excreta
• Removal of dust. Injurious chemicals
  and pathogenic bacteria from the atmospheric air
• Reasonable cleanliness of all surface
  and furnishing that the individual is likely to handle
• A dwelling place free from insects,
  animal pests, fire hazards, mechanical injuries, electric shocks, radiation and
  poisons
• Freedom from disagreeable odors and noises, harmony of town and design in the immediate surroundings, provision of privacy etc

INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

Atmospheric temperature: in an ideal temperature, the person does not feel chilly, but it should be sufficiently warm enough to cause perspiration. A room temperature ranging from 68 to 72 degree F (20-22 degree Celcius) is considered comfortable

Humidity: humidity is the amount of moisture in the air. It affects the evaporation of moisture from the skin. A humidity of 40-60% considered comfortable

Air Movement

Ventilation
means movement in the air. The chief purpose of ventilation is to supply fresh
air and to maintain a proper humidity. Air in motion increases the radiation of
heat from the skin and improves circulation and respiration. The velocity of
the air movement should be 15-45 feet/minute or 1-3 miles/hour

Air may keep
in motion by opening doors and windows, and by the use of fans and air conditioners.
The air movement should not be much to cause draughts.

Lighting

The amount
of light is an important factor in comfort. It is provided by natural or
artificial light. Avoid direct light on the face and eyes. Prevent glare.
Artificial light should not be too strong for reading. Remember, it is
difficult for a patient to rest when there is excessive light.

He will not
be able to read and write when there is dim light. The amount of light depends
upon the use of light, the kind of work being done, conditions of the patient,
age of the patient and the time of the day. The patient if conscious should
have within his reach a light, which he can control

Noise

Noise
produces irritability, restlessness, fatigue, and exhaustion. In an acutely ill
patient noise interfere with sleep. On the contrary, a melodious sound induces
pleasure. The degree of noise may be reduced by various measures. Noise caused
by friction may be reduced by various measures. Noise caused by friction may be
reduced by lubrication. Use of rubber tyres and castors for trolleys and wheel
chairs reduce the sound when moving furniture. Make echo proof rooms. Avoid
dropping object. Loud talking, laughing and heavy walking with shoes should be
avoided. Whispering is also not good, as it tends to cause apprehension and
uncertainty in the patient

Purity of the Air

Dust cause significant
hazards to patients. Dust in hospital may be laden with microorganisms, which
cause infection in addition to irritation of the respiratory tract of precipitating
allergic reaction

To control
the dust, it is important to avoid those activities that stirrup dust such as
dusting and dry duster and sweeping damp dusting and cleaning, folding bed
linen and gently shaking them rather than flapping them, restricting the
cigarette smoking and above all providing proper ventilation and ample spacing
of bed maintains the purity of air.

Elimination of Unpleasant Odors

Good
ventilation, cleanliness, proper disposal of excreta and rubbish are necessary
to eliminate unpleasant odors

Water Supply and Sewage Disposal

There should
be provision for safe water supply and disposal of excreta

Esthetic Factor

The
environment becomes attractive it appeals to the series whether we are
conscious or not, the design or arrangement of the room contributes to its
harmony. Through skillful use of color, the room can be made attractive. Color
preferences vary with age, sex and race. Flower vase, picture and curtains add
to the pleasant outlook of the room

Esthetic
considerations should include  freedom
from unpleasant sights, bedpans, urinals, soiled dressings and used linen, etc,
should be removed from the sick room immediately.

Optimum Environment for the Patient

Influence of
external environment are atmospheric temperature, humidity, air movement,
lighting, noise, purity of air, elimination of unpleasant odors, water supply
and sewage disposal and esthetic factors.

Factors of
safety include freedom from mechanical injury, thermal injury, chemical injury,
radiation, bacteriologic ingests, allergens, free from vermin, insects and
animal pests.

Furnishing
for the patients unit are cot, spread over bed, table, bedside locker, bedside
table, chair and stool, bedside commode, bed pans, and urinals, sputum cup,
kidney trays, water flasks, and drinking glasses, plate, spoon, fork, knives
and toilet articles.

Carliolization

Carliolization
is a process of disinfecting the whole external environment of the patient and
rendering it free from pathogenic organisms.

Vermin and Insects

• Clean the patients unit regularly.
  Eliminate all the breeding places. Keep garbage well-covered and dispose of all
  refuse properly
• Store food properly. Use fly screens
  on windows and doors.

FURNISHING PATIENT UNIT

Cot or bedstead: the hospital beds are made up of metal, simple in design, light and easily moveable, easy to clean, and strong durable with hard rubber castors. Some bed will have side rails to prevent the patient from falling.

Over bed table or cardiac table: generally, this is used for patients suffering from cardiac diseases to lean and rest forward when he has breathing difficulty. It can also use for eating, reading, and writing and for placing articles for self care.

Bedside locker: it is used to store the patient personal articles

Bedside table: it can be used for taking the meals and other purposes.

Chair and stool: the chair can be used for the patients when he is out of bed, i.e. while changing the bed linens or bathing the patients. The workers and visitors should sit on the chair and not on the patient’s bed.

Bedside commode: it is a chair or wheelchair that has opening in the center of a seat under which a bedpan can be inserted. It is used for defecation and urination.

Bedpan and urinals: for a bedridden patient, these are used for defecation and urination.

Sputum cup: it is used to collect the sputum and spitting

Kidney tray: it is used to collect vomits body fluids and soiled dressings

Water flask and drinking glasses: the water flask is filled with drinking water and is given to the patient within his reach.

Plate,
spoon, fork, knifes, etc: these are used to serve the meals for the patient and
is kept in-patients unit

Call signal: a bell is kept near the patient to call the nurse in his need

Toilet articles: soap with soap dish, toothbrush and toothpaste, mouthwash, comb, etc. are kept in patients unit. Bucket, mug, basin, etc. are kept in bathroom.

Waste basket: it is used to collect the rubbish

Bedding and bed linens: the mattresses and pillows should be firm, thick and smooth and all should have a washable cover. It gives support to the patients. Bed sheets are made up of strong cotton material, which are used to protect the mattress from soiling and to cover the patients; draw Mackintosh sheet, extents from the patient shoulder to below knee, made up of rubber or plastic material, which is used to protect the mattress and bottom sheet from soiling. Sometimes, Kelley’s pads are used in place of a Mackintosh.

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT CARE

• To provide comfort to patient
• To prevent cross infection
• To keep the unit clean and neat
• To keep the unit away from
  microorganisms
• To keep the articles ready for use
• To prolong the life of the articles

PRINCIPLES OF GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

• Wear gloves before cleaning the unit
• Use a damp dusting
• Dust with firm and even strokes
• Use disinfectant for cleaning
• Use a brush to clean grooved surface
• Remove albuminous materials such as
  sputum with cold water
• Expose cleaned area to sunlight as it
  helps destroy bacteria

Keep the cleaned articles in an orderly fashion

TYPES OF WARDS IN PATIENT UNIT & PRINCIPLES OF CLEANING

DISINFECTION IN THE PATIENT UNIT

TERMINAL CLEANING OF PATIENT CARE UNIT

NURSING PROCEDURES LIST CLICK HERE

NURSING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS – CLICK HERE

NURSE FUNDAMENTAL PROCEDURES

MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING

CARE OF PATIENT UNIT – KEY IMPORTANT POINTS

here are some important key points to consider:

1. Patient Safety:
   • Implement measures to ensure patient safety, including fall prevention, infection control, and the reduction of medical errors.
2. Staffing and Training:
   • Ensure an adequate number of qualified staff members with appropriate training and skills to meet the needs of patients.
3. Communication:
   • Foster effective communication among healthcare professionals, patients, and their families to enhance care coordination.
4. Patient-Centered Care:
   • Promote patient-centered care by respecting individual preferences, involving patients in decision-making, and addressing their unique needs.
5. Documentation:
   • Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient information, care plans, and interventions, following established protocols and privacy regulations.
6. Infection Control:
   • Implement and monitor infection control measures to prevent the spread of infections within the patient care unit.
7. Quality Improvement:
   • Participate in ongoing quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and the overall efficiency of the unit.
8. Resource Management:
   • Efficiently manage resources, including medical supplies, equipment, and staffing, to optimize patient care and minimize waste.
9. Collaboration:
   • Encourage collaboration among healthcare team members, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
10. Patient and Family Education:
    • Provide education to patients and their families regarding their conditions, treatment plans, and self-care strategies.
11. Ethical Considerations:
    • Uphold ethical standards in patient care, respecting autonomy, confidentiality, and the rights of patients.
12. Emergency Preparedness:
    • Develop and regularly update emergency preparedness plans to handle unforeseen situations or disasters within the unit.
13. Continuous Monitoring:
    • Implement continuous monitoring of vital signs, patient progress, and response to interventions to ensure timely adjustments to care plans.
14. Cultural Competence:
    • Foster a culturally competent environment, recognizing and respecting the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of patients and staff.
15. Patient Flow:
    • Optimize patient flow within the unit to minimize wait times, enhance efficiency, and improve overall patient satisfaction.
16. Staff Well-being:
    • Prioritize the well-being of healthcare professionals by addressing workload, providing support, and promoting a positive work environment.
17. Regulatory Compliance:
    • Ensure compliance with all relevant healthcare regulations, standards, and accreditation requirements.