Patient Safety Attendant Med Surg (Intermountain Health)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain constant attendance by remaining within the continuous line of sight of the patient at all times including when the patient is using the bathroom facilities.

• Observe as the patient eats, drinks, and assists as needed.

• Assure the cleanliness and safety of the patient’s room.

• Accompany the patient off the unit to tests or procedures and remain with the patient, unless instructed otherwise by the assigned nurse or the individual performing the test. If asked to leave the patient, wait outside the door, and return to the patient as soon as the care/procedure is complete.

• Identify and promptly report any changes or concerns in the patient's status to the assigned nurse.

• Listen attentively if the patient wishes to converse and encourage the patient to share concerns with the physician and/or assigned nurse. 

• Report patient information and activities to the next assigned PSA during hand-off with nursing present.  

• Responsible for communicating with the other team members to ensure that the patient is not left alone.

• Reports to the assigned nurse any expression of ideas or intention to hurt self/others or intention or desire to leave the facility Against Medical Advice (AMA).

• Avoid giving any advice.

• Follow all Infection Control policies.

• Complete the Environmental Safety Checklist each shift and during hand-off and have it validated by nursing, including ensuring that ligature risks are mitigated in coordination with the primary nurse.

• Consult with the nurse partner if the patient needs to be mobilized.

Additional Responsibilities for Patients with Suicidal IdeationJOB IS FROM: nursingjobs.siteVIEW

• Remain with the patient even if family or visitors are present.

• Ensure that there is a continuous line of sight.  Provide constant one-one visual observation and be positioned so that the Caregiver can immediately intervene to prevent patient harm.  

• Ensure environment has limited risk factors:

• Account for all linen and remove it from the room immediately after use. No extra linens are to be in the room.

• Ensure that the patient is in a gown with no strings that may put patients at risk for strangulation.

• Remove all patient clothing, shoes, jewelry, and belongings from the room (best to send home with the family).

• Secure valuables that are not taken by the family.

• Do not allow visitors to give any items to the patient or bring large bags into the room. Consult nursing if visitors refuse.

• Only electric razors are allowed.

• Remove any electrical cords that are not needed for patient care.

• Ensure that only plastic utensils are utilized for meals. Observe closely when eating and account for all utensils immediately after a meal, removing them from the room immediately.

• Ensure all plastic trash and linen bags are removed from the room.

• Ensure that windows are not opened.

• Ensure all sharps containers are removed.

• Ensure that all gloves and glove boxes are removed.

• Ensure that there are no supplies, equipment, or other devices that are sharp, metal or plastic and that could be used as ligatures or ligature-support devices.