For the safety of our patients and staff, Kettering Health Network recommends the following standard operating process for supplies in patient rooms or bays.
Daily supplies
- Plan to bring only the needed supplies to the bedside for the procedure (starting an IV, dressing change, etc.).
- Avoid contamination of supplies in locked drawers by avoiding opening or using drawers for patients in isolation.
- Only access supplies in drawers, cabinets, nursing servers outside the patient’s room, or supply carts after removing gloves and performing hand hygiene.
- Limit quantity to the amount needed for one shift for frequently used supplies (i.e., alcohol wipes, telemetry stickers) in locked drawers for patients with standard precautions.
- Avoid contamination of emergent equipment, such as suction canisters and tubing, by containing it in a bag until needed.
- If contamination is suspected or observed with visibly soiled, torn or wet packaging, discard supplies.
Discharge Process
- Discard all supplies in packages that have been opened.
- Unopened supplies in intact packages should be inspected:
- Discard if torn, damaged, visibly soiled, wet, or unable to be wiped clean
- If intact and able to be wiped clean, wipe clean with facility-approved cleaning wipe and return to the clean supply storage. If the supply packaging can’t be cleaned, the item should be discarded
- Place all linen in the soiled linen hamper.
- Room cleaning procedure:
- Isolation Precautions: Follow KHN terminal room cleaning procedure. Keep isolation signs up until EVS removes them after terminal room cleaning is completed.
- Standard Precautions: Follow department-specific bay or room cleaning SOP to clean all re-usable equipment.