Outpatient Surgery Magazine - Subscribers

OR Excellence Awards - Outpatient Surgery Magazine - September 2018

Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.

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1 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 D o you permit patients' belongings beyond the unrestrict- ed area of the OR — say, for example, by placing the items in a clear plastic bag underneath the gurney so they travel with patients before, during and after surgery? This might not be a good idea. "There have been issues with cell phones recording conversations and clothing with bed bugs," says a nurse leader. Most facilities either store belongings in the recovery area or place the items in a plastic belongings bag and docu- ment in the chart that they gave the bag to a family member for safe keeping. Besides the risk of infection, there are safety and security concerns to consider as well. "We don't want to be responsible for keeping track of a patient's wallet, purse, money or any other valuables," says a facility manager. Where Do You Store Patients' Belongings? • SAFE KEEPING It's best to store patient belongings in the PACU or deliver them to a family member in the waiting area. Pamela Bevelhymer, RN, BSN, CNOR

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