Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan WS, Lam PYW, Wong MC
Affiliation :
Clinical Oncology, Tuen Mun Hospital
Introduction :
Maintaining safety is always one of important goal in nursing care. And ensuring ward environment a safe and pleasant place to work in for staff is undoubtedly a vital issue especially in an oncology ward.
With occupancy of 120%, the ward resulted in overcrowding and untidiness of ward environment. Hence, ward environment is suboptimal. In addition, effectiveness of staff would be hindered. High occupancy rate already overloaded staff, with the untidy working environment, the health care team fail to provide prompt and effective nursing care.
Objectives :
To enhance effectiveness in managing stock in ward store.
To standardize ward practice on storage of equipment and promote a safe ward environment
To familiarize staff with medical equipment and reinforce efficiency of nursing care
Methodology :
In October 2018, a workgroup formed by nurses and supporting staff was set up to review the storage system of store room and medical equipment. Nurses expressed difficulty in taking certain medical equipment in store as there was no clear labelling on the cabinet, time was wasted. Junior staff also enquired description of the requested stuff as they were not familiar with the medical equipment.
Large sized medical equipment such as wheelchair, stretcher and comfort chair, practice was also reviewed. Using camp bed often occupied storage space for the large equipment, and a proper temporary storage guidance is needed in order to provide a safe and obstacle free environment for patient and staff.
1. A work group was set up to collect feedback
2. Feedback was analyzed and solution was carried out
3. Storage system reviewed. Illustration with photo was put up on the storage cabinet according to its location.
4. Photos showing the proper storing to standardize the practice and reinforce safe storage in ward even in over-crowed ward situation.
5. Satisfaction survey was performed after implementation.
6. Total 34 staff including 20nurses and 16 supporting staff were interviewed with feedback collected
Result & Outcome :
All nurses and supporting staff were satisfied with the illustration system. It improved safety in ward environment and enhance efficiency and effectiveness of nursing care, leading the team to perform daily in a smart way.
