Guidelines For Accident and Emergency Department - HSHRC PDF
Guidelines For Accident and Emergency Department - HSHRC PDF
Guidelines For Accident and Emergency Department - HSHRC PDF
i. Abbreviations........................................................................................................................................5
1.0 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................7
1.12 STATISTICS...............................................................................................................................................7
1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................................11.
1.2 GOALS...........................................................................................................................................................11.
1.0 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................18
2.0 GUIDELINES ON EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT DESIGN18
3.0 MAJOR SPACE DETERMINANTS: ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS FOR NEW
INFRASTRUCTURE.18
1.0 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................................35
2
1.3 (b) APPROACHES TO PLANNING OF WORKFORCE ..............................................................................................36
1.4 CHALLENGES IN DECIDING STAFFING LEVELS FOR A&ED...............................................................................37.
3
3.0 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS......................................................................................................................................59.
3.1 LINES OF AUTHORITY...........................................................................................................................................59
BIBLIOGRAPHY........................................................................................................................................................................90.
ANNEXURES........................................................................................................................................................................................92
4
ABBREVIATIONS
5
GUIDELINES ON
ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
6
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Accident and Emergency services is a vital component of hospital services because injury is
always unexpected and unplanned and if not treated urgently can result in damage, deformity
and death.
The patients entering an emergency department can be saved only if they arrive at the right time,
at the right place, receives the right treatment and right resources.
The aspect of speed, accuracy and sympathy are important in the emergency department.
The major functions of an emergency department involve:
1) To treat unexpected patients with life threatening and routine conditions.
2) To provide services at all 365 days in a year.
3) To provide immediate, appropriate and life saving care.
4) To provide services in efficient and effective manner.
5) To be sensitive to emotional needs of the patients and their relatives
6) To liaise with courts and police in emergency.
7) To be ready for disaster and mass casualty.
Health care services in India follow a three tiered approach providing primary, secondary and
tertiary level of care. Wherein the Primary Health Centres/ Community Health Centres serve as the front
line of emergency medical care providing first aid, district hospitals provide the secondary level of
healthcare services whereas medical colleges provide tertiary level care. However, functionally the
emergency services are not planned and organised around this tiered approach. The patient are not
categorised or referred according to level of care required.
1.1.2 STATISTICS
Emergency services is a broad term as such in clued trauma and non-trauma emergencies like poisoning,
burns, acute Myocardial Infarction etc. There are no state and National level statistics available on
incidence of emergency conditions. For trauma emergencies the National Health Profile of India 2009 lists
injury as the 3rd leading cause of death in India. Recent calculations by the Planning Commission of India
estimate the total societal cost of injury in India to be approx. 3% of Indias GDP. 1 Planning and
standardisation of emergency services is a vital step in order to decrease these cost implications.
1
Report of the Working Group on Emergency Care in India,
Ministry of Road Transport and highways, Government of India Pg 1
7
1.1.3 LEGAL MANDATES
With increase in awareness and expectations the law has mandated that immediate care should be
provided to a patient in emergency. It is now mandatory to provide treatment to patients entering
emergency departments (Supreme Court of India; Parmanand Katara vs. Union of India AIR1989SC
2039). Failure to comply is considered as an act of negligence.2 At the present level of care and with the
high volumes of patients entering government hospitals the proportionality of cases of medical
negligence could be astounding.
Standardisation of Accident and Emergency Departments (A&ED) of district hospitals is need of the hour.
2
Parmanand Katara vs. Union of India (Supreme Court, 1989).
3
Report of the Working Group on Emergency Care in India, Ministry of Road Transport and highways,
Government of India
8
2.1 The purpose of these guidelines is to provide
2.0 PURPOSE OF THE support and guidance to management, hospital staff and
GUIDELINES
policymakers to establish health facilities providing
quality services in Accident and Emergency Department.
9
Chapter -1
10
Chapter -1
The department would accept all patients of all age groups (Adult
as well as paediatric) and they would receive emergency care and
referral as necessary.
1.2 GOALS
11
Table1. SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IN A
DISTRICT LEVEL HOSPITAL
1 CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
c) Accelerated Hypertension
e) Arrhythmias
2 GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
a) Acute Cholecystitis
c) Dysentery
d) Vomiting
e) Pain Abdomen
f) Ascitis
g) Haematamesis
h) Cirrhosis
3 DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS
a) Hypoglycaemia
b) Ketoacidosis
c) Diabetic Coma
d) Hyperglycaemia
4 Shock
6 Anaphylactic Reactions
12
7 Septicaemia
8 Snake Bite
9 Animal Bites
10 Insect Bites
11 Heat Stroke
a) Dengue
b) Chikungunia
c) Malaria
d) Swine Flu
e) Japanese Encephalitis
a) Bronchial Asthma
b) Pleural Effusion
c) Pneumonitis
d) Allergic Bronchitis
g) Respiratory Failure
h) Haemoptysis
14 NEUROLOGY
c) Vertigo
d) Headache
e) Spinal Injury
f) Encephalitis
g) Epilepsy
13
h) Meningitis
i) Febrile convulsions
15 HAEMATOLOGY
a) Severe Anaemia
16 COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
a) Cholera
b) Measles
c) Mumps
d) Chicken Pox
e) Diphtheria
f) Rabies
17 PSYCHIATRY
a) Anxiety disorders
c) Stress disorder
d) Depression
18 NEPHROLOGY
b) Nephrotic Syndrome
c) Acute Nephritis
d) Diabetic Nephropathy
e) Hypertensive Nephropathy
f) Nephrolithiasis
19 GENERAL SURGERY
a) Intestinal Obstruction
b) Burns
14
c) Cellulitis
d) Acute Abdomen
e) Acute Appendicitis
f) Acute Cholecystitis
g) Perforation
h) Assault Injuries
i) Haemorrhoids
k) Liver Abscess
20 OPTHALMOLOGY
a) Foreign Body
b) Injuries
A EAR
a) Infections
b) ASOM/SOM/CSOM
c) Mastoiditis
B NOSE
a) Epistaxis
b) Foreign body
C THROAT
a) Tonsillitis/ Laryngitis
15
b) Quinsy
c) Malignant Larynx
f) Malignancy of Larynx
22 ORTHOPEDICS
a) Osteomyelitis
c) Fractures
d) Acute Gout
23 DENTAL SURGERY
a) Injuries -Trauma
b) Toothache
24 MLC CASES
a) Assault
b) Poisoning
c) Intoxication
d) Burns
e) Drowning
f) Suicidal Attempts
h) Sexual Assault
i) Criminal Abortion
j) Unconscious patient
l) Brought Dead
m) Post Mortem
o) Any other case not falling under the above categories but has legal
implications
16
Chapter -2
17
Chapter-2
18
The emergency department is a core clinical unit of a hospital. Its function is to receive patients, conduct
effective triage, stabilize and provide emergency management to patients who present with a wide
variety of critical, urgent and semi urgent conditions. The emergency department also provides for
proper reception and management of patients who are victims of a disaster as part of its role in the
disaster plan of that region. In addition to standard treatment areas, some additional specifically designed
areas may be required to fulfill special roles, such as:
Management of patients following sexual assault
Management of infectious patients
Entrance/Reception/Triage area
Resuscitation area
Acute Treatment area
Consultation area
Workstations of Staff
Amenities
19
Fig. FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP OF AREAS IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
AMBULANCE
BAY
AMBULANCE
TRIAGE RESUSCITATION OBSERVATION SUPPORT
CIRCULATION OPERATING
From UNIT/
CLERICAL
Main TRIAGE INTENSIVE
Entry
RECEPTION
STAFF ACUTE CARE/
CAR SUPPORT IMAGING/
STATION OBSERVATION
PARK
WAITING INPATIENT
WORK BAY UNITS/
MORTUARY
OPTIONAL INTEGRATION
OBSERVATION SUPPORT
X-RAY
The main aggregation of clinical staff over 24 hours will be at the staff station in the Acute
Treatment/Resuscitation area.
Therefore it should be the focus around which the other clinical are as are grouped.
The Entrance/Reception/Triage area is the area in which an emergency patient initially
presents.
The Administration area should be accessible to the clinical areas but should not impair
the clinical function of the department.
The support areas are best arranged around the periphery of the department.
20
Accessibility of various functional spaces in an Accident and Emergency Department
2.2.2 Access and Car The emergency department should be clearly identified from all
Parking - entrances.
The emergency department should be located on the ground floor for
ease of access.
It should be close to public transport.
Adequate bilingual signage should be available to ensure ease of way
finding.
Illuminated signage is required for some signs to ensure visibility at
night. The use of graphic and character display (Eg. a white cross on a
red background with the word EMERGENCY is recommended.
Car parking should be close to the entrance, well lit and available
exclusively for patients, their relatives and staff.
Undercover parking should be available for appropriate number of
ambulances. This will be determined by case load.
21
2.2.4 Bed Spacing In the Acute Treatment area there should be at least 7.8 feet (2.4
meters) of clear floor space between beds. The minimum length
should be 10 feet (3 meters).
2.2.8 Physiological Each Acute Treatment area bed should have access to a physiological monitor
Monitors which should include a minimum of:
ECG
Non Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP)
Temperature
SpO2
2.2.10 Medical Gases Medical gases should be internally piped, to all patient care areas.
2.2.11 Doors All doors through which patients may pass must be of sufficient size to
accommodate a full hospital bed.
2.2.12 Corridors In general, the total corridor area within the department should be
minimized to optimize the use of space.
Where corridors are necessary, they should be of adequate width to
allow the cross passage of two hospital beds or a hospital bed and linen
trolley without difficulty.
There should be adequate space for trolleys to enter or exit any of the
consulting rooms, and to be turned around.
Standard corridors should not be used for storage of equipment, linen,
waste or patients.
2.2.13 Air The emergency department should have a HVAC system capable of
Conditioning rapid change from recirculation to fresh air flow.
Special purpose rooms like Infectious Disease Isolation Room may have
special flow and filtering requirements.
22
2.2.14 Information/ Emergency departments are high volume users of telecommunications
Communications and information technology. Telephones should be available at all staff
Support stations and all consultation areas.
An intercom and public address system that can reach all areas of the
emergency department should be available.
Public telephones should be available in the waiting area.
Direct communication should be available between the ambulance
service and the emergency department.
2.2.17 Emergency Emergency power must be available to all lights in the Resuscitation
Power and Acute Treatment/Observation areas of the department.
Emergency lighting should be available in all other areas.
All computer terminals should have access to emergency power.
In the event of a total power failure, sufficient space and power points
should be available to enable a backup system.
2.2.18 Wall Finish Hospital beds, ambulance trolleys, and wheelchairs may cause damage
to walls, so all wall surfaces in areas which may come into contact with
mobile equipment should be reinforced.
Bed stops should be fitted to the floor to stop the bed head from coming
into contact with and damaging fittings, monitors, etc.
2.2.19 Floor The floor covering in all patient care areas and corridors should have the
Covering following characteristics
Non slip surface
Impermeable to water, body fluids
Durable
Easy to clean
2.2.20 Wall Clocks A wall clock should be visible in all clinical areas and waiting areas.
Time clocks are desirable in the resuscitation, procedure and plaster
rooms.
Times displayed in all areas and on computers must be synchronized.
23
2.3. DESCRIPTION OF PATIENT FLOWS
The following diagram outlines the various pathways that a patient may follow when he enters
the emergency department:
Short Stay
Unit
Inpatient Wards
HOME
2.3.1 Entrance The entrance to the Emergency Unit must be well-marked, illuminated,
Area and covered.
It shall provide direct access from public roads for ambulance and
vehicle traffic, with the entrance and driveway clearly marked.
A ramp shall be provided for pedestrian and wheelchair access.
The entrance to the Emergency Unit shall be paved to allow discharge
of patients from cars and ambulances.
Temporary parking should be provided close to the entrance.
24
2.3.3 Triage There may be need for triage when a school bus accident or a large pile-
up of cars on a highway results in too many injured people for too few
ambulances or EMTs.
The first interaction with the patient happens at the Triage.
The term "Triage" refers to a sorting of injured or sick people according to
their need for emergency medical attention.
It is used to determine priority for who gets care first.
Triage may be performed by anyone from emergency medical technicians
(EMTs) to emergency room gatekeepers.
The most common triaging system is the 4 level systems:
Priority III (Minimal) - Patients have minimal injuries or minor conditions and
are ambulatory. Examples: Sore throat, abrasions and superficial lacerations,
chronic self limiting disorders, etc.
Priority IV (Expectant / Dead) - Victims are dead or have lethal injuries and will
die despite treatment. Examples: Devastating head and chest injuries, 3rd degree
burns over most of the body, destruction of vital organs, etc.
2.3.5 Patient and Patient and visitor exit routes out of the emergency department should be
Visitor Exit Routes clearly sign posted from within the emergency department.
25
can incorporate all of the major areas is 700m2 (7530 ft2).
General Requirements
The department should be accessed preferably by two
separate entrances; one for ambulance patients and the other
for walk-in patients.
It is recommended that each entrance area contains a
separate foyer.
Both entrances should direct the patient flow towards the
Reception/Triage area.
The Reception/Triage area should have clear vision to both
the waiting room and the ambulance entrance.
The reception/triage area should be designed to cater for the
easy access of wheelchair bound or otherwise disabled
patients.
The area should be designed with due consideration for the
safety of staff.
Access to treatment areas from reception/ triage should be
restricted by the use of security doors.
There should be direct communication between the
Reception/Triage area and the Nursing Station in the Acute
Treatment/Observation area.
Equipment
The Reception/Clerical office should have access to the following
equipment Computer terminals
Telephones
Photocopier
Computer printers
Storage space for stationery and medical records
Switches/ Sockets
Area
Resuscitation area may be further divided into separate bays
26
Minimum size for a single bed resuscitation room is 35m2
(376 sq ft) or 25m2 (270 sq ft) for each bed space if in a
multi bedded room (not including storage area).
Ideally the number of resuscitation areas should be no less
than 1/15,000 yearly attendances or 1/5,000 yearly
admissions and at least 1/2 of the total number of these areas
should have BP, Pulse, RR monitoring ,but there should be at
least one dedicated single bedded resuscitation room in A&ED
of each district hospital.
General Requirements
The Resuscitation area should be easily accessible from the
ambulance entrance and separate from patient circulation
areas.
It must be easily accessible from the staff station in the Acute
Treatment/Observation area.
The Resuscitation area should have a full range of vitals
monitoring and resuscitation equipment.
The Resuscitation area should preferably have solid partitions
between it and other areas.
Sufficient area should be there to fit a specialized resuscitation
bed.
Space to ensure 360 access to all parts of the patient for
procedures.
Space for equipment, monitors, storage and disposal facilities.
Circulation space to allow movement of staff and equipment.
Appropriate lighting, equipment to hang IV fluids etc.
Maximum possible visual and auditory privacy for the
occupants of the room and other patients and relatives.
Equipment
27
Acute treatment area is an area for management of patients
2.4.4 Acute Treatment with serious or potentially serious illness.
Area
Area
Each treatment area must be at least 12 m2 (130 ft2) in area.
Areas such as procedure and plaster rooms are not considered
as treatment areas nor are observation unit beds for admitted
patients.
Minimum recommended space between centers of two
adjoining beds is 2.4 meters. (8 ft).
General Requirements
It is divided into number of small units and each unit
treatment area has the following requirements:
Area to fit a standard mobile bed.
Storage space for essential equipment, E.g. Oxygen masks.
Space for equipment, monitors, storage and disposal facilities.
Appropriate lighting, equipment to hang IV fluids etc.
Circulation space to allow movement of staff and equipment
around the work area.
If possible there should be a separate paediatric area/beds for
the treatment of children.
All of these beds must be situated to enable direct observation
from the Nursing Station.
If possible a separate dedicated area/ room should be present
for examination of MLC cases.
3.3.5 Consultation Consultation areas are provided for the examination and
Area treatment of walk-in patients who are not experiencing a major or
serious illness requiring resuscitation or close monitoring.
Area
Minimum 12 m2 (130 ft2) in area.
General Requirements
Each area should be of sufficient size to house:
Examination couch/trolley
Desk and chairs
Patient stool
Computer outlet and terminal
3.3.6 Plaster Room The Plaster room allows for the application of Plaster of Paris
(POP) and other splints for the closed reduction under sedative or
regional anaesthesia, of displaced fractures or dislocations.
Area
It must be at least 20 m2 (215 ft2) in size, excluding crutch or
splint storage areas.
General Requirements
It should be easily accessible from A&ED.
There can be two separate entrances one for A&ED patients
and other for OPD and IPD patients.
Location should be such that routine patient flows to this
room does not pass through main A&ED area.
28
Equipment
The following equipment are required:
Storage for plaster bandages
X-Ray viewing panel
Monitoring equipment (NIBP, SpO2, ECG) including access
to resuscitation equipment
Nitrous oxide delivery system or storage space for a
portable nitrous oxide delivery system
Plaster trolley
Sink and drain with a plaster trap
Work bench
3.3.7 Procedure Room The Procedure room is required for the performance of
procedures such as lumbar puncture, chest tube insertion, plural
tap, ascitic tap, bladder catheterization, suturing, dressing etc.
Area
It must be at least 20 m2 (215 ft2) in size.
General Requirements
It should be directly accessible from A&ED.
It should have Area to fit a standard mobile patient trolley.
Storage space for essential equipment and dressing material
Eg. Oxygen masks, Ryles tube, PPE etc.
Space for dressing trolleys.
Space for disposal facilities.
Equipment
Minimal equipment include:
Operating theatre light suspended from the ceiling
X-Ray viewing box
Monitoring equipment: NIBP, SpO2, ECG with access to
resuscitation equipment.
3.3.8 Nursing Station The Staff Station in the Acute Treatment area will be the major
staff area within the department.
Area
The staff station(s) must be at least 10m2 (108 ft2) in size or
1m2 (10 ft2) /1000 yearly attendances, whichever is larger.
General Requirements
The station should provide an uninterrupted view of patients
and the floor may be raised to achieve this aim.
It should be centrally located and constructed in such a
fashion to ensure that confidential information can be
conveyed without breach of privacy.
An enclosed area is recommended for this reason and also to
provide security of staff, information and privacy.
Equipment
The following equipment and fittings should be accessible:
29
Intercom
Direct line telephone for incoming Ambulance/Police use
only
Computer terminal
Medicine cupboards
Emergency and patient call display
Alarm
Valuables storage space
Storage for stationery
Writing and work benches
General Requirement
Patients may be kept in this Unit for diagnosis, treatment,
investigation or for medical stabilization.
The length of stay in the Unit is generally between 4 and 24
hours, although some patients may require longer stays.
The Unit may also be situated separately to the Emergency
Unit, although functionally linked. According to the service
plan, dedicated beds for short stay are separately
designated and staffed.
The number of beds required will be influenced by the
function and type of patient in the unit.
Some of the beds should be capable of physiological
monitoring similar to an acute treatment area.
There should be a separate nursing station of an
appropriate size.
Hospital beds and not trolleys must be provided.
30
3.3.10 Waiting Room This area is meant for patients attendants. In case of excessive
rush patients belonging to triage category 3 can be made to wait in
this area.
Area
The waiting area must be of a total size of at least 5.0m2 (54
sq ft) /1000 yearly attendances that includes seating,
telephones, display for literature, public toilets and circulation
space.
The waiting room should include one seat per 1000 yearly
attendances.
General Requirements
The area should be open and easily observed from the Triage
and Reception areas.
Seating should be comfortable and adequate space should be
allowed for wheelchairs and patients being assisted.
Natural lighting should be maximized.
There must be access to:
Triage and Reception areas
Toilets
Public Telephones
Health literature
3.3.12 CLINICAL
SUPPORT AREAS 1 Clean Utility
This should be of sufficient size for the storage of clean and sterile
supplies.
3 Equipment/Store Room
This is used for the storage of equipment (Eg. IV stands) and
disposable medical supplies for the department. There should be
sufficient space to store. The total area of dedicated store rooms
must be at least 2.2m2 (24 sq ft) /1000 yearly attendances.
31
This does not include storage space within treatment areas. As a
general principle, emergency departments should have sufficient
storage space to carry one weeks supply of disposable medical
supplies and intravenous fluids. Local logistic issues and risk
management considerations may dictate larger storage capacity.
6 Janitors Room
It should have a basin, water facility for washing and
adequate space for keeping mops, broom and reagents.
The flooring should be non slippery and stain resistant.
7 Patient toilets
In an Emergency Unit the following Patient Toilet facilities will be
required, (separate Male and Female):
Up to eight treatment beds- 2 patient toilets, one each for
male/ female.
Between nine to twenty treatment beds-4 patient toilets,
two each for male/ female.
Between 21 to 40 treatment beds-6 patient toilets, 3 each
for male/ female.
At least two of the above toilets to be assessable for
wheelchair, one each for male /female
3.3.13 STAFF
FACILITIES 1. Staff Room
At least two rooms should be provided within the
department one for doctors and other for staff nurses to
enable staff to distress during rest periods.
There should be appropriate table and seating
arrangements.
It should be located away from patient care areas and
have access to natural lighting and appropriate floor and
wall coverings.
The staff room should be based upon the number of staff
working at any one time and their anticipated needs, and
as an initial guide, this should be at least 0.8m2 (9 sq ft)
/1000 yearly attendances, which can be adjusted
depending on staff numbers.
Staff should have access to independent toilets. Staff
lockers should be available.
32
Appropriate security and restricted access to this area
should be available.
2 Security Personnel
Uniformed security personnel may be required at very short
notice to assist with a safety or security issue. Their base should
be positioned either within or immediately adjacent to the A&ED,
with rapid communication links.
3 Electronic Surveillance
Relatively secluded or isolated areas should be monitored
electronically (for example, by closed circuit TV), with monitors
in easily visible and continuously staffed areas.
33
Chapter -3
MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCIDENT AND
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
34
Chapter -3
The principles to planning staffing rely on quantifying the volume of nursing care to be
provided on the basis of :
The size of population,
Mix of patients, and
Type of service - and
Relating it to the activities undertaken by different members of the team.
Good quality data (HR, quality and outcomes) is therefore the cornerstone of effective
staff planning and review.
Staffing decisions cannot be made effectively without having good quality data on the
following parameters
35
Factors that
impinge on daily Evidence of the
Patient mix Current staffing
staffing levels effectiveness of
(acuity/dependency) (sanctioned/vacant
(absence, staffing - quality
and service demands posts)
vacancies, patient outcomes
turnover)
1.3 (b) APPROACHES TO There are two broad types of approach to workforce
PLANNING OF WORKFORCE planning: top-down and bottom-up. While they can be
used in isolation of one another, they are best considered
as complementary approaches.
Top-down methods are more remote and used by workforce planners in health care management,
whereas bottom-up methods are frequently associated with planning at local or ward level.
36
1.4 CHALLENGES IN It is necessary to provide staff to cover a workload higher
DECIDING STAFFING LEVELS than the average number of visits keeping in view the
critical nature of patients coming to A&ED.
FOR A&ED
It is necessary to provide staff to cover a workload higher than the average number of visits
keeping in view the critical nature of patients coming to A&ED. This results in some standby or
idle time of the staff. Despite this idle time, staff cannot be reassigned to other areas and pulled
back when patients arrive. Matching the peak patient volumes to peak staffing pattern is a
challenging task.
Volume varies significantly from day to day and also during the 24 hours. Often the highest
volumes occur during odd hours and on weekends and holidays when alternative sources of care
are closed, Eg., doctors offices and clinics. While the total number of visit may be higher on
weekends, the number of admitted patients does not go up at the same rate, and may not
increase because the acuity is lower on weekends.
The distribution of patients by shift is somewhat dependent on where the hospital is located. An
inner city hospital may have more patients admitted on the night shift as compared to a
suburban hospital.
Type of patients coming to A&ED department varies depending upon location of hospital in the
city as well as the region of state in which hospital is located. For Eg. hospitals close to national
highways may have more accident cases. Hospitals closer to medical colleges may be catering to
lesser number of patients and less acute cases.
Other significant factors impacting the staffing standard are the percentage of patients admitted
rather than treated and released, and whether or not the ED staff is responsible for selected
activities. The admitted percentage can range from less than 10% to almost 25% of all patients.
37
patients/ shift, total patients seen = 75
approx
So for a workload of
< 75 patients/ 24 hrs = 1 MO / shift ( Total
3 MO during 24 hours)
75-200 patients/24 hrs = 2 MOs/ shift (
Total 6 MO during 24 hours)
200 patients/24hrs = 3 MOs/ shift ( Total 9
MO during 24 hours)
All the specialists to be available on call round
the clock as per pre defined roster.
It is assumed that morning and evening shift is
of 6 hours and night shift is of 12 hours.
38
night shift.
b) Registration Clerk- A dedicated person to be present for
registration of patients in all shifts.
39
Chapter-4
40
Chapter: 4
CONCEPT 1. GOLDEN HOUR The rst hour after injury largely determines a critically-
injured persons chances for survival, it is also known as
the Golden Time.
It is the time period which can range from a few minutes to a few hours, i.e. not necessarily one
hour, but the amount of time which follows a traumatic injury sustained; during which there is
highest likelihood that prompt medical treatment will prevent death.
During this time period, the possibility of saving ones life is the highest through emergency
medical treatment. Special trauma centres and many other emergency medical services are
designed just because of this reason and to make sure that the injured person is properly treated
in the case.
Death following Trauma generally occurs due to a shock. Major causes include internal bleeding
leading to haemorrhage shock. It is crucial to provide proper and instant medical help to
someone in dire need of it. If the injury can be treated on time, the blood flow controlled and
blood pressure restored in that course of time, a life can be saved.
In case of heart and chest injuries, the patient can get a stroke easily and during that time the
theory behind Golden Hour comes into real-time practice.
Since the patient is in a state of shock, a well trained medical practitioner can provide the help
they need and that can be vital in saving their life.
1.1GOALS OF TRIAGE
41
e. Re-evaluate patients awaiting treatment
Patient whos ABCs are These are Walking Patients who can safely Patients who are expected
compromised Wounded. Those whose wait to be seen by to die despite treatment /
condition needs physician as time very poor prognosis or are
already dead on arrival
investigation and permits
treatment
Patients with life or Patients with serious Patients who have Victims who are dead or
limb threatening conditions who need conditions which are have lethal injuries and
conditions who may immediate treatment not life threatening and will die despite treatment.
die without immediate quickly to avoid any can wait for same time Examples: Devastating
treatment further problems. like patients with minor head and chest injuries,
/resuscitation. (Treated in treatment injury ,cuts etc. 3rd degree burns over
(Treated in area and kept under most of the body,
resuscitation room.) observation in destruction of vital organs,
observation area/ etc.
room.)
Patients in Red Patients in Yellow Patients in Green Patients in Black Category
Category should be Category should be sent Category should be sent should be sent to Morgue
sent to the to Observation Area to Consultation Area once declared dead
Resuscitation Area
CONCEPT 3.REVERSE TRIAGE This concept is used to provide extra patient beds during
public health emergency.
Sometimes the less wounded are treated in preference to the more severely wounded. This may
arise in a situation such as disaster situations where medical resources are limited in order to
conserve resources for those likely to survive but requiring advanced medical care.
This method evaluates inpatients to see which ones can be safely discharged to free up beds for
other patients in more immediate need of medical care.
Patients who have only a slight chance of experiencing an adverse event within four days of
leaving the hospital may be discharged to free bed space. A&ED staff can provide a daily initial
reverse triage score for patients being admitted, even if a disaster is not imminent.
42
2.0 QUALITY INDICATORS FOR A&ED OF HOSPITAL
43
Time to treatment
This indicator applies to all patients coming to emergency. It shows the time taken
from arrival to seeing a doctor and nurse who will start the treatment for the
patients condition.
Time to shifting
This indicator shows the number of patients shifted to respective wards within 8 hours of
admission out of total admissions.
This indicator includes patients who return to A&ED within seven days of the original
attendance and are classified as an unplanned re-attendance if they have not been
specifically asked to re-attend.
Needle stick injury is a penetrating stab wound from a needle (or other sharp object)
that may result in exposure to blood or other body fluids.
Data from injury reporting should be compiled and assessed to identify where, how,
with what devices, and when injuries are occurring and the groups of health care
workers being injured.
44
Medication Errors
A medication error is any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate
medication use or harm to a patient, like Errors in the prescribing, transcribing,
dispensing, administering, and monitoring of medications, Wrong drug, wrong
strength, or wrong dose errors, Wrong patient etc.
Adverse Events
Near Miss
A near miss is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, Illness, or damage,
but had the potential to do so.
Errors that did not result in patient harm, but could have, can be categorized as near
misses.
Audits
45
6.0 EQUITY INDICATORS
46
Chapter -5
STANDARD PROTOCOLS FOR EMERGENCY
DEPARTMENT
47
Chapter- 5
The following protocols have been enumerated in the standard protocols for Emergency Department
in this chapter:
1. Receiving of the patient
5. Reassessment of patient
7. Referral of patients
Purpose: To avoid delay in treatment of critical patients and to facilitate their safe transfer
inside emergency department.
Procedure:
48
2. REGISTRATION OF THE PATIENT
Purpose: To provide a mechanism to facilitate registration and admission of the patient in the
hospital.
In case of critical patients, they are immediately directed to the consultation area and
registration is done afterwards at the emergency registration counter.
All critical patients coming to emergency are registered at emergency registration counter.
During OPD working hours if a non critical patient walks into emergency he is directed to go
to concerned OPD after registration at the general OPD registration counter of the hospital,
whereas during odd hours and holidays all patients walking into hospital are registered at
the emergency registration counter except in those hospitals where evening OPD is
functional.
Following parameters are captured during emergency registration:
Name, age, sex, address and time of admission.
For referred in patients same is mentioned on the OPD card along with details of facility
from where referred and reason for referral. Referral slip if available is retained in hospital
record.
For medico legal cases MLC is mentioned on the OPD card.
After registration an OPD number is given to the patient.
In addition to OPD number, all the medico-legal cases are separately identified by a
centralised MLC number. MLC number is provided either manually at the registration
counter or generated by computer.
Police information is sent for all the medico legal cases by the doctor on duty.
All unidentified patients are registered as medico legal cases and the information regarding
this is sent to police and once the patient is identified, information is updated in the records.
After doctors assessment a provisional or actual diagnosis is entered on the OPD card by
concerned doctor both for MLC and non MLC cases.
Purpose:
Responsibility:
Any hospital staff concerned with patient treatment like doctor, staff nurse, lab technician and
registration clerk.
The patient is identified by dual identifiers; one is patients name and other is OPD Number.
The hospital uses sound clinical judgement to ensure the patient identification at all the
times before :
Consultation
Before administering medicine
Giving sample in the phlebotomy area
Before any procedure
Identification bands are provided to all the patients at the time of admission with the
help of which he/she is identified during his/her stay irrespective of the condition
(conscious /unconscious).
Different types of coding is followed to avoid any error that is
White colour band for all patients
Pink colour band for baby girl
Blue colour band for baby boy
V is written on white band by staff for Vulnerable patient
Identification band is non-transferable and affixed on the patients wrist.
ID band consists of :
Patients Name, Age, Sex and Registration Number
Patient and his/her family members are educated about the importance of the band and
not to remove the band.
ID band is checked before any consultation, investigation, procedure and administration
of medication. Patient name is also asked to confirm the patient identification.
Procedure:
All the patients admitted under a particular speciality are examined by a specialist
within 12 hours of admission.
Patient assessment is recorded as per IPD assessment form attached as annexure-.
All the patient records are dated, timed, named and signed by the concerned person.
51
5. REASSESSMENT OF PATIENT
Purpose:
To monitor clinical progress of patient and to modify care of plan as and when required.
Responsibility:
Doctor on duty, staff nurse, concerned specialist
All the critical patients are kept under observation in the observation area/room.
These patients are reassessed by the doctor on duty every 30 minutes or as and when
required.
All the non critical patients are reassessed every 4 hours or as and when required.
Decision to refer is taken in consultation with the specialist, however in life threatening
conditions the doctor on duty can refer the patient on his own and then inform the
concerned specialist.
5.2IN-PATIENT REASSESSMENT:
All the admitted patients are reassessed by doctor on duty at least twice during each
shift or more frequently if the patient is critical.
All the parameters are assessed as mentioned in reassessment form ( Attached as
annexure-II)
All the admitted patients are reassessed by specialist of concerned department
at least once during each shift.
If an admitted patient is to be referred, decision to refer is taken in consultation
with the concerned specialist, however in life threatening conditions the doctor
on duty can refer the patient on his own and then inform the concerned
specialist.
All the notes on patients records are to be dated, timed, named and signed by the
concerned doctor.
Purpose:
To ensure that emergency beds are available for needy and unstable patients. No patient is kept
in emergency area beyond 24 hours.
Responsibility:
Doctor on duty, concerned specialist
Procedure:
All the admitted, stable patients are shifted to respective wards within 24 hours if a bed
is available.
All the concerned specialists take round of A&ED at least twice a day and shift all the
stable patients to respective wards. 52
7.REFERRAL OF PATIENTS
7.1REFERRED IN
Purpose:
To ensure that all the patients being referred to hospital from periphery and other institutes are
promptly treated if services required are within scope of the hospital.
Responsibility:
Doctor on duty, staff nurse on duty
Procedure:
All the patients referred from periphery and other institutes are promptly treated at the
hospital if the services required are within scope of A&ED of hospital.
If the services required are not in the scope of hospital then these patients/ attendants are
explained the same and also guided about the alternatives. The protocol for referred out
patient is followed.
All the referred in patients are registered in the hospital and their record is maintained
separately as per format provided in annexure.
7.2REFERRAL OUT
Purpose:
Patients who do not match scope of the services of the hospital are referred to higher centre without
unnecessary delay.
Responsibility:
Once doctor on duty decides that the patient requires referral to higher centre for further
treatment he/she contacts the concerned specialist on telephone or through a written call. If
required specialist doctor visits the patient and assess condition of patient and then take the
decision to refer the patient.
If the patient is critical and any delay in treatment may endanger life of patient, he/she is
referred by doctor on duty.
If the patients condition is unstable, he should be stabilized in the emergency department
before referring out.
Doctor on duty ensures availability of bed in the hospital where patient is being referred.
In case of non-availability of beds alternatives are explained to the relatives of the patient and
decision is made accordingly.
EMT accompanies the patient in case of critical patient.
Fully filled referral card is provided to the patient at the time of referral with details like
reason for referral, investigations done if any.(Attached as annexure-I)
Ambulance used is fully equipped with resuscitation equipment and with trained staff who has
training in BLS.
Entry is made in the refer-out register.
53
8. DISCHARGE OF THE PATIENT:
Purpose:
To provide guidelines for the discharge from the hospital in order to minimise waiting time for
discharge.
Responsibility:
Procedure:
Discharge process is discussed with patient and family.
The concerned doctor, discharging the patient documents the discharge instructions in the file at
the time of discharge.
Discharge summary is prepared on a standardised format and signed by the concerned doctor.
The discharge summary contains :
Diagnosis
Brief progress notes
Significant findings
Investigations results
Procedures performed (if any)
Condition at the time of discharge
Discharge medications and follow up instructions
Instructions about when and how to contact in case of emergency
8.1 DISCHARGE AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE/ DISCHARGE ON REQUEST:
Purpose:
To provide guidelines for discharge of those patients who are not willing to stay in the hospital
despite doctors advice to the contrary.
Responsibility:
Procedure:
In case the patients and relatives wish to get discharged from the hospital before complete
recovery, the provision of the same is made.
The doctor on duty/ specialist discusses the consequences and risk to the patient and
relatives. The patient, relatives, concerned doctor and the nurse on duty sign the consent
for discharge against medical advice.
A discharge summary is handed over to the patient/relative with the medical advice and it is
mentioned on the discharge card that patient is being discharged against medical advice.
Purpose:
To provide guidelines to be followed in case the patient absconds from hospital without
informing concerned staff.
Responsibility:
Doctor on duty, concerned specialist, staff nurse
Procedure:
If a patient absconds from hospital without informing any concerned staff member
then this information is mentioned in the patient record. 54
In medico legal cases information is sent to police about absconded patients.
9. PATIENT CARE PROTOCOLS
Patient as classified in the Triage section are given care as per different care protocol.
The Category-I patients are referred to Resuscitation Room. Patients are managed as per the
resuscitation protocol.
Purpose:
Responsibility:
Doctor on Duty, Nurse on Duty
Procedure:
Initial Assessment of the patient is done as per the initial assessment protocols already
described.
The doctor on duty reassesses the patient every 30 minutes or more frequently as per
patients condition.
Decision is taken to admit, shift, discharge or refer the patient within four hours.
The staff nurse on duty also monitors the patient as per doctors instructions.
All the investigations (Laboratory, Radiology, etc.) are done as soon as possible and reports
are made available on priority.
Doctors and nurses follow ethical code of conduct and universal precautions.
Proper written handover of patients is done as the shift changes.
Drugs and equipments are checked and monitored at the start of every shift.
Hygiene and sanitation is maintained at all times. Infection control and waste management
protocols are strictly followed. (Attached as annexure-V)
55
10. MEDICO- LEGAL CASES
A medico legal case is a case of injury /illness where the attending doctor after eliciting history and
examining the patient, thinks that some investigation by law enforcement agencies are essential to
establish and fix responsibility for case in accordance with the law.
The police needs to be informed when a patient is brought to the hospital/admitted and there is a history
of:
Accident, homicide, suicide, infanticide, poisoning, machinery related injury (industrial and vehicular
accidents), assault, strangulation, sexual offences, criminal abortion, burns, mass casualty , other cases
brought by police and the cases in which foul play is suspected.
Purpose:
To provide intimation to police for all the medico legal cases in a uniform format and to comply
with statutory requirements as mandated by court of law.
Responsibility:
Procedure:
The privacy of the patient should be ensured first.
The doctor on duty examines the patient and prepares medico legal report in computerized
format. In case doctor is unable to provide computerised report immediately, manual report is
provided to the patient and computerised report is provided within one week.
The police authorities are intimated giving brief details of the case in a written format.
The reporting time and date is also mentioned in the police information.
MLC police information form is filled in duplicate and one copy is handed over to the police
person and one copy is retained in the hospital record.
Receiving is taken from police person who receives the information.
Wherever required various specimens are collected, sealed and handed over to the police
authorities after sealing the same. A receipt of the items sealed and handed over to the police is
taken. Patient case file is stamped as medico-legal case.
* For more details refer to Haryana medico legal manual
56
11. SAFETY OF THE PATIENT BELONGINGS:
Procedure:
Patients are advised to leave all valuables at home or send them home upon admission to the
hospital; this includes jewellery , cash etc. That would be considered a loss if misplaced
Signature of the relative is taken upon handing over of patient belongings
If attendant is not available the nurse on duty keeps the valuables under lock and key. They are
not kept at patient bedside
A receipt is provided for collection of the items upon discharge.
Patient is informed to take care of their belongings that they bring along such as mobile etc.
57
Chapter -6
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
58
Chapter-6
59
2.0 ESSENTIALS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Disaster management committee (Details related to the committee are given below)
A documented Disaster Management Plan
Emergency /disaster alert codes
Fully equipped Ambulance with first aid equipment.
Flexible space and beds should be ensured to accommodate patients and relatives.
Medico-legal responsibilities should be defined.
Procedure to ensure availability of drugs i.e. Emergency kit / Disaster kit and other supplies
(Example Antibiotics, ORS, IV fluids, Analgesics, Disinfectants etc.) at the casualty department.
Operation Theatre to be kept ready for an emergency.
Job card should be assigned to each staff member explaining the exact role of that person during
disaster.
All staff instructed that on receipt of warning they should immediately report to the hospital
without any delay
Mobilisation of disaster management team members and other ancillary staff.
Names and contact numbers of the staff and their position according to the plan (list of
emergency contact number, adjoining hospitals, fire brigade, Police station.)
Training and mock drill.
3.1 LINES OF AUTHORITY: The following persons, in the order listed, would be in charge:
1. Medical Superintendent
2. In charge of casualty(head of disaster management committee)
3. Emergency medical officer
4. Matron.
5. Nursing In charge on duty at time of disaster.
6. Security head of hospital.
3.2 DISASTER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
60
3.2 (b) FUNCTIONS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
Disaster management committee has to be formed in every hospital much before a disaster
1. A siren/ public address system is available and working in the emergency department to
notify all staff of any emergency.
2. Casualty medical officer will inform casualty- in- charge who is head of disaster management
committee, who in turn will inform medical superintendent and hospital administrator.
3. Other members of Disaster management committee will be informed by hospital
administrator/casualty in charge depending on extent of disaster.
4. Various department Heads will notify their key personnel depending on extent of disaster
and need.
5. Matron shall be notified by the nursing sister on duty.
6. A Command Centre will be set up at the PMO/MSs office to handle and coordinate all
internal communications. All department heads will report to this office and call as many of
their employees as needed.
7. Hospital administrator will assign a clerical staff who will answer all telephone calls from
this station. .
8. The class IV/ Security Guard will be assigned to the telephone operator to deliver messages,
obtain casualty count from triage, etc.
9. The class IV/Security Guard will be assigned to act as a runner to all departments to advise
them of the type of disaster and number of victims and extent of injuries when this
information is available.
61
One physician
One anaesthetist
Two sisters
Two nursing orderlies
One sweeper
ACTIONS:
62
IV. Visitor waiting area:
It will be set up in the front lobby of hospital, relatives of casualties will be instructed to wait
there until notified of patient's condition. Normal visiting hours will be suspended during the
disaster situation.
o A hospital staff member will update and counsel the family members.
o A list of the visitor's names in association with the patient they are inquiring about
will be kept. Volunteers may be needed to escort visitors within the facility.
V. Telephone lines:
Telephone lines will be made available for outgoing and incoming calls. The hospital
administrator will designate assigned staff to monitor the phones.
VI. Additional bed space:
Extra bed space will be created as follows-
1. Utilization of pre operative beds (to be authorized by PMO/ M.S.)
2. Any vacant beds available in hospital (to be authorized by PMO/ M.S.)
3. By discharging following categories of patients (to be authorized by matron and
assisted by staff nurses on duty)-
Convalescent patients needing only nursing care.
Elective surgical cases.
Patients who can have domiciliary care or OPD services.
4. Ward side rooms and seminar rooms will be used if required.
63
B. Hospital Administrator:
In a major disaster will do the following functions:
1. Check with local authorities to verify the disaster and obtain additional information.
2. Authorize announcement of disaster to hospital personnel.
3. Ask for help from local police and volunteer organizations as deemed necessary.
4. Stay in the area of administrative offices to be available as and when required.
C. Nursing In charge:
1. Is responsible for determining the extent of the disaster, whether it is a "major" or a "minor"
disaster. If it is a major disaster, then the PMO/ MS and Matron will be notified (if not present
at time of disaster).
2. Will attempt to find adequate numbers of nursing personnel. Have them keep a list of those
notified.
3. Will be responsible for making available prearranged admission ward and as many beds as
possible by discharging the categories of patients as explained above.
.
D. Department head or designee will call in their own personnel as needed after having
reported to the Command Centre.
E. Admitting office
1. Will not accept routine non-emergency admissions.( refer to nearest hospital)
2. Refer all enquiries and press to desk in Reception Area.
3. Assign an admissions person to aid with discharge of hospital patients from the wards, if
requested by Medical Team.
F. Emergency blood bank:
Efforts will be made to ensure availability of all types of blood groups in adequate quantity.
Volunteers will be contacted. Responsibility rests with Blood Transfusion Officer (B.T.O.)/ Asst.
Blood Transfusion Officer (B.T.O.)
G. Documentation centre:
For moderate load: Documentation will be done in casualty itself.
For heavy load: Documentation will be done at central registration office of OPD staffed manned
by staff of registration counter and nurses.
H. Dietary
1. The Department in charge or designee will call in their own personnel as needed after
reporting to Command Centre.
2. Prepare to serve nourishments to ambulatory patients, in-house patients and personnel as
need arise.
I. Maintenance
1. Department head or designee will call in their own personnel as needed after reporting to
Command Centre.
64
2. Maintain full operation of all facilities.
3. All doors should be locked immediately except in case of fire. Doors to Emergency
Department and front lobby to be kept open. Prevent entrance of extra persons/ relatives
and security is reinforced.
L. Medical Imaging
1. The department head or designee will find out the number of patients involved and any other
pertinent information from the Command Centre.
2. The department head or designee will be responsible for calling in any and all personnel
needed to sufficiently handle the patient load.
M. Laboratory
1. Department Head or designee will call in their own personnel as needed after reporting to
Command Centre.
2. Call personnel from nearby hospitals and clinics as necessary.
3. Have arrangements made to obtain additional equipment and supplies from area agencies.
N. Pharmacy
1. Report to Command Centre, and then remain in department.
2. Have list of drug suppliers that can provide emergency supplies quickly
3. Keep minimum supply of emergency drugs on hand at all times.
4. Pharmacy remains open and has a runner to deliver needed medicines to areas.
65
O. Security
1. Report to Command Centre.
2. Assist staff as needed.
P. Ambulances:
All the ambulances will be kept well equipped and shall be available at casualty department along
with drivers.
Q. Engineering and maintenance department:
Engineers will make sure that water and electricity is made available without interruption.
66
Chapter-7
INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICES FOR EMERGENCY
DEPARTMENT
67
Chapter-7
They are among the major causes of death and increased morbidity Also an infection
among hospitalized patients. A prevalence survey conducted under the occurring in a patient
auspices of WHO in 55 hospitals of 14 countries representing 4 WHO in hospital or other
Regions (Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia and Western health care facility in
Pacific) showed that on an average of 8.7% of hospital patients had whom the infection
nosocomial infections. was not present or
incubating at the time
At any time, over 1.4 million people worldwide suffer from infectious of admission can be
complications acquired in hospital. classified as HAI.
68
The structural aspects will be covered in other section in detail. However, few important points are given
below:
The surfaces, be it floor, walls or work surfaces, should be such that they do not
encourage the accumulation of dust and are easily cleanable/ washable.
Adequate space should be there between the beds in patient care areas to reduce
chances of cross infections.
Properly constructed & maintained isolation facilities for infectious diseases as well as
for immune-compromised patients will result in reduced morbidity & mortality from
primary disease as well as HAI.
HVAC system which are properly designed and regularly maintained would reduce the
burden of infection in healthcare settings.
Keeping two or more patients on one bed greatly increases chances of Infections.
1) An infection acquired in hospital by a patient who was admitted for a reason other than that
infection.
2) An infection occurring in a patient in a hospital or other health care facility in whom the infection
was not present or incubating at the time of admission. This includes infections acquired in the
hospital but appearing after discharge, and also occupational infections among staff of the facility
3) Nosocomial infections, also called hospital-acquired infections, are infections acquired during
hospital care which is not present or incubating at admission. Infections occurring more than 48
hours after admission are usually considered nosocomial.
HAI is a localized or systemic condition resulting from an adverse reaction to the presence of an
infectious agent(s) or its toxin(s). These infections are not incubating at the time of admission
and usually manifest after 48 hours of admission or hospital contact.
Simplified criteria for surveillance of nosocomial infections according to World Health Organisation:
69
fever or finding organisms in urine >
105/ml.
Some of the important processes which can go a long way to decrease the burden of HAI are listed below:
To review and approve a yearly programme of activity for surveillance and prevention.
To Institute appropriate control measures when there is considered to be a danger to patients
or personnel.
To provide suggestions and provisions of resources like manpower, materials, logistics, training,
monitoring and reporting about infection control activities and services.
To review epidemiological surveillance data and identify areas for intervention.
To ensure appropriate staff training in infection control and safety.
To review and provide input into investigation of epidemics.
The committee can form a subcommittee for day to day functioning which can be designated as infection
control team.
70
SUGGESTIVE STRUCTURE OF INFECTION CONTROL TEAM
To prepare the yearly work plan for review by the infection control committee and
administration.
To provide technical support like:
Surveillance and research
Developing and reviewing policies
Day to day supervision
Evaluation of material and products
Control of sterilization and disinfection
Implementation and conduction of training programme.
To conduct patient satisfaction surveys.
To ensure adherence to standard precautions.
To educate patients and relatives on infection control.
Infection Control Nurse is a vital component of Hospital Infection Team, a dedicated nurse with
experience in Infection Control or preferably a short course in Infection Control is suitable for the
position of an Infection Control Nurse. Infection Control Nurse is responsible for the supervision of
Implementation of patient care practices for infection control is the role of the nursing staff.
Infection control nurse is responsible for:
71
ROLE OF NURSING IN CHARGE OF EMERGENCY
Implementing and maintaining hygiene, consistent with hospital policies and good nursing
practices in the emergency department.
Implementing and monitoring aseptic techniques, including hand washing and use of isolation
precautions in the emergency department.
Reporting promptly to the attending physician any evidence of infection in patients in the
emergency department.
Limiting patient exposure to infections from visitors, hospital staff, other patients, or equipment
used for diagnosis or treatment in the emergency department.
Maintaining a safe and adequate supply of emergency equipment, drugs and patient care
supplies.
Participating in training of personnel of the emergency department.
Ensure that bed linen is clean and regularly changed.
72
The components of the Infection Control Manual include various components including
sterilisation and disinfection policies, role of hospital acquired infections in the hospital, role of infection
control tea, outbreak protocol etc.
2.0 TRAINING
73
3.3 RISK PREVENTION STRATEGIES
SHARP SAFETY
b) HAND WASHING:
Hand washing is the single most important procedure for preventing infection. Contaminated
hands are frequently implicated as a means of transmission of nosocomial outbreaks in acute
care settings.
The consistent application of soap and water or alcohol-based waterless hand sanitizer is the
best way for emergency staff to protect their families, colleagues, patients, and themselves
from dangerous diseases.
Washing with soap and water should be used for the first and last hand-wash of the shift,
when hands are visibly soiled and after every five applications of alcohol-based waterless
hand sanitizer.
The mechanical action of washing, rinsing and drying is the most important contributor to
the removal of transient bacteria that might be present.
Alcohol based hand rubs can be used when hands are NOT visibly soiled because the
effectiveness of alcohol is inhibited by the presence of organic material.
Health care workers are frequent hand washers and time should be taken to use
moisturizers to prevent the skin from becoming dry and cracked. Skin that is dry, cracked or
suffering from rashes can be a portal of entry for disease. Healthy, intact skin is an effective
barrier to infection.
74
Care should also be taken to ensure non-intact skin is covered while at work. If non-intact
skin is on the hands, two pairs of medical gloves should be worn as additional protection.
c) SHARPS SAFETY:
According to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) the most frequent
cause of blood-borne infection in healthcare settings is through needle stick injuries.
There are an estimated 600,000 needle stick injuries to health care workers each year in the
United States; but the exact number is not known as injuries often go unreported.
In order to help prevent needle stick injuries it is imperative to have an effective sharps
safety system in place.
75
SAFE HANDLING OF SHARPS INCLUDES:
ii) Immediate disposal of sharps into a puncture proof container by the user.
iii) Never re-cap a contaminated needle.
iv) Never pass an exposed needle.
v) Never accept a used sharp, such as a lancet from a patient or another health care
provider.
vi) Minimize proximity of other persons before exposing a sharp.
vii) No bending of needles.
viii) Proper disposal of sharps containers when they are 2/3 full.
ix) Use needle-less systems whenever possible.
If a needle stick injury occurs: Do not sqeeze blood from the wound and wash site with soap
and water, alcohol based, waterless hand sanitizer and/or an antiseptic swab as soon as
possible.
Staff must report the injury to their supervisor/ Staff Nurse on duty and then,report to
the doctor on emergency duty. The doctor on emergency duty is available for advice on
risk assessment, counselling and need for post exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
The first dose of PEP should be administered preferably within 2 hours but not later than
48 hours of exposure and the risk evaluated as soon as possible. If the risk is insignificant,
PEP could be discontinued, if already commenced
In all cases an accident/ incident record form should be completed within 24 hours by the
SN on duty.
76
CATEGORISATION OF RISK AS PER TYPE OF EXPOSURE
Immediately wash the wound and surrounding skin with water and soap, and rinse. Do not
scrub.
77
Summary of Dos and Donts
Do Donts
Remove gloves, if appropriate Do not panic
Wash the exposed site thoroughly with running Do not put the pricked finger in mouth
water Do not squeeze the wound to bleed it
Irrigate with water or saline if eyes or mouth Do not use bleach, chlorine, alcohol, betadine,
have been exposed iodine or other antiseptics/detergents on the
Wash the skin with soap and water wound
78
Chapter-8
MANAGEMENT OF MEDICATION
79
Medication use has become
Chapter-8
increasingly complex in
recent times.
MANAGEMENT OF MEDICATION
Medication error is a major
cause of preventable patient
harm.
1.0 INTRODUCTION Incidence of Medical errors
Greater focus is needed on improving patient safety in modern leading to patient death are
healthcare systems and the first step to achieving this is to reliably much higher than previously
identify the safety issues arising in healthcare. thought, and may be as high
as 400,000 deaths a year,
Medication Management is essential in Accident and Emergency according to a new study in
(A&E) department as it is considered to be a problematic the Journal of Patient Safety.
environment where safety is a concern due to various factors, such
as the range, nature and urgency of presenting conditions and the
high turnover of patients.
80
A suggestive list of drugs and equipment in the crash cart is given as below:
First Drawer
Top
Inj. Atropine 1mg/10mL (1)
Defibrillator Inj. Adenosine 6mg/2cc (2)
Electrodes Inj. Calcium Gluconate 1gm/10mL (1)
Suction machine Inj. Adrenaline 1:10,000/10mL (2)
Adult and paediatric Ambu bags Inj. Dexamethasone 4mg/1mL (1)
Stethoscope Inj. Digoxin 0.5mg/2mL (1)
CPR book Tongue blades (5)
Oxygen wrench
On the side of the Crash Cart : Thermal paper
Oxygen tanks with one regulator
Second Drawer
Inj. Dextrose 50gm/50mL (1)
Fifth Drawer
Inj. Amiodarone 150mg/3mL (2)
Laryngoscope handle
Inj. Nitroglycerine 50mg/10mL (1)
Miller Blade #2 (1)
Inj. Sodium bicarb 8.4%/50mL (1)
Miller Blade #3 (1)
Inj. Dopamine 400mg/10mL (1)
Macintosh Blade #2 (1)
Suction tubing (2)
Macintosh Blade #3 (1)
ET Tubes 4 (1)
ET Tubes 7 (1)
Third Drawer
ET Tubes 8 (1)
Inj. Furosemide 40mg/10mL (2)
Airways 6 (1)
Inj. Magnesium sulfate 5gm/10mL (1)
Airways 8 (1)
Batteries C (2)
Fourth Drawer
Gloves 6-1/2 (3)
Sixth Drawer
Gloves 7-1/2 (3)
D5 NS 250cc (1)
Tape
Lactated Ringers 500cc (2)
IV Canula 22ga (2)
NACL 0.9% 500cc (2)
IV Canula 20ga (2)
IV tubing (5)
Tourniquet (1)
Alcohol Swabs
Syringes 60ml (2)
Syringes 20ml (2)
Syringes 10ml (5)
Syringes 5ml (5)
Syringes 3ml (5)
Needles 18ga (10)
Conductivity gel
Inj. Normal Saline 50ml (2)
81
There should be a policy to ensure availability of
2.3 EMERGENCY DRUG emergency medicine all the time in adequate quantity
STOCK with documented procedure to check it at fixed intervals.
There should be a documented method to replenish the
stock timely.
The hospital should calculate minimum buffer stock of
each drug according to patient load.
The list should be displayed in store along with its buffer
stock and there should be responsibility assigned to a
person to monitor the buffer stock regularly.
1. Diazepam Injection, 5 mg / ml
Suppository 5 mg
2. Paracetamol Injection 150 mg / ml
82
Standard treatment protocols should be made and
2.8 STANDARD compiled in the form of small hand book. Flow charts of
TREATMENT GUIDELINES common emergencies should be made and displayed in
the department for ready reference.
List of paediatric doses should be displayed.
A manual on Standard Treatment Guidelines has been
developed by HSHRC, Common Treatment Protocols in
Common Medical Emergencies may be taken for display
on charts, an example on Shock is given below for
information. For details of Standard Treatment Guidelines
kindly visit HSHRC website link-
http://hshrc.org/stg-haryana/
SHOCK
(Undetermined aetiology)
Assess Airway-Breathing-Circulation
Supplement-Oxygen
Secure IV access
Give isotonic crystalloid [(20 ml/kg over 3-5 min) NS, RL]
REASSESS
No improvement Improved BP
- Peripheral perfusion
Repeat isotonic crystalloid - Urine passed
(20 ml/kg over 3-5 min)
REASSESS: (ventilation, acid base balance,
electrolytes)
83
There should be antimicrobial use policy documenting the
2.9 ANTIMICROBIAL level of expertise required for prescription of higher
POLICY antibiotics.
The protocols for prescribing first line antibiotics
empirically by Emergency Medical Officer and of higher
generation antibiotics after consultation with specialist
should be made and followed.
Where the facility of Culture and sensitivity is available,
hospital specific antimicrobial policy may be made after
considering sensitivity patterns of microrganisms
84
The following are some of the possible errors that can occur either in the prescribing, dispensing or
administration processes, and which should be monitored:
85
SOME WAYS OF PREVENTING MEDICATION ERRORS IN HOSPITALS ARE:
Introducing a punishment-free system to collect and record information about medication errors
Developing written procedures with guidelines and checklists for the administration of
intravenous fluids and high-risk drugs
Dose units written in one way only, for example mcg not g or g not gm
Use of leading zeros for values less than 1 (0.2 instead of.2) and avoidance of trailing zeros for
values more than 1 (2 instead of 2.0)
The route of administration and the complete directions (for example daily not OD) be written
on all drug orders (prescriptions)
1. Tab.Ondansetron Tab.Chlorphenaramine
2. Tab.Atenolol Tab. Chlortrimazole
3. Tab.Digene Tab.Paracetamol
4. Tab.Amoxycillin Tab.Omeprazol
5. Tab.Metaclopramide Tab.Mebendazol
6. Tab.Metrogyl Tab.Cotrimoxazol
7. Tab.Dicylomine Tab.Isosorbide mononitrate
8. Tab Clopidrogril Tab. Rantac
9. Tab Phenytoin Tab. Ondansetron
10. Tab Albendazol Tab. Divol
11. Tab Calcium gluconate Tab. Paracetamol
86
12. Inj Atropine Sulphate Inj Vit. K
13. Inj Rantac Inj Drotaverine
14. Inj T.T Inj Atropine sulphate
15. Inj Tramadol Inj Metaclopramide
16. Inj Phenytoin Inj Lasix
Sound alike medicine: The following is the list of drugs when purchased locally with trade name causes
confusion
1. Tab.Epsoline(Phenytoin) Tab.Efcorline (hydrocortisone)
2. Inj Syntac Inj Rantac
3. Tab.PCM Tab.PAM
4. Inj Tramadol Inj Haloperidol
Spell alike: The following is the list of drugs commonly causing confusion if name of the Drug is not
written properly.
1. Syrup Azithromycin Syrup Amoxy, Amoxy clav
2. Tab. Clopidrogril Tab. Cephadroxil
3. Cap Cephalexin Cap Cephadroxil
4. Tab. Lasix Laxative
5. Tab. Pentazocine Tab Pantoprazol
6. Tab. Diclofenac Tab. Dicylomine
7. Inj Isolyte P Inj.Isolyte G, Isolyte M, Isolyte E
8. Duolin Respule Tab.Duodiline
9. Tab.Dobutamine Tab.Dopamine
10. Tab.Cefotaxime Tab.Ceftriaxone
11. Tab.Frusemide Tab.Fomatidine
12. Tab.Glimipride Tab.Glibenclamide
13. Tab.Metrogyl Tab.Metoclopramide
14. Inj Dobutamine Inj Drotaverine
15. Tab. Domperidon Tab. Daflon
16. Inj Lupinox Inj Lasix
17. Tab. Ciplox TZ Tab. Cebexin Z
c) Electrolyte solution:
The doctors and nursing staff should be trained and supervised for ordering and
administering variety of electrolyte solutions since a wrong electrolyte solution may be
detrimental to patients health.
87
be taken. Following is the list of drugs and should be displayed in the emergency to avoid
errors.
f) Use of Abbreviations:
Use of abbreviations should be discouraged as it may lead to medication errors E.g AZT
may be misunderstood for Azathioprin causing further immune suppression in patients
of AIDS.
h) Preparation of drugs:
a. The injectables should be prepared at the bed side. The practice of filling syringes at the
nursing station & then administering them at the bed side can lead to errors.
b. If an Injection has to be given as Infusion after mixing with NS/DNS/RL etc. the bottle
should be labelled with the drug that has been added.
c. The strips of tablets should not be cut and then stored/given as single tablet to the
patients as this can lead to errors since important information regarding dose, date of
expiry etc. is lost.
d. If labels are made for storage they should be clear, legible and no over writing or cutting
should be done.
i) Labelling of prepared drugs:
Whenever the drugs are prepared after mixing with diluents, it should be labelled
properly.
All prepared medications, medication containers e.g. syringes, bottles etc. should be
labelled with specified format including name of drug, strength, time of preparation,
name of person who prepared and signature of the person who prepared and time after
which to be discarded.
88
Name of the drug ---------------------------------------------------
Strength ---------------------------------------------------
Signature ---------------------------------------------------
89
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2. Policy and Guidelines for Hospital Accident and Emergency Services in Ghana
Ministry of Health A&E Services, GHANA, October, 2011
3. Guidance on safe nurse staffing levels in the UK, Royal College of Nursing
10. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updated U.S. Public Health Service
Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HIV and
Recommendations for Post-exposure Prophylaxis MMWR Recommendations and
Reports, Volume 54, Number RR-9
11. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, ALERT, Preventing Needle Stick Injuries in Health Care Settings
12. Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care World Health Organization, 2011
13. Emergency care in India: the building blocks, Imron Subhan & Anunaya Jain, 4
August 2010
14. Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India, National Crime Records Bureau,
Ministry of Home Affairs, 2011
15. Adult emergency services: Acute medicine and emergency general surgery
Commissioning standards, September 2011
90
16. American College of Emergency Physicians, Advancing Emergency Care
Emergency Department Policy Statement Planning and Resource Guidelines,
October 2007
19. Essential Trauma Care Project Checklists For Surveys Of Trauma Care
Capabilities, Injuries and Violence Prevention Department, World Health
Organization and International Association for the Surgery of Trauma and
Surgical Intensive Care (IATSIC), International Society of Surgery / Socit
Internationale de Chirurgie 14-Sept, 2004
22. Report of the Working Group on Emergency Care in India Ministry of Road
Transport & Highways, Govt. of India, 2010
24. Emergency Design Document, Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Emergency Unit, June
2011
91
ANNEXURES
92
Annexure-I
Diagnosis:_____________________________________________________________________
Date of Referral: _______________________ Time of Referral________________________
93
Annexure-II
Temp:
Pulse
BP:
Pallor:
Icterus: Rx
94
Annexure-III
95
Annexure-IV
96
ANNEXURE-V
97
Annexure-VI
CLEANING CHECKLIST
98
ANNEXURE-VII
99
Capital Outlays Quantity Date checked
Capped bottle, alcohol based solutions
Sterile gauze dressing
Bandages sterile
Adhesive Tape
Needles, cutting and round bodied
Suture synthetic absorbable
Splints for arm, leg
Urinary catheter Foleys disposable #12, 14, 18 with bag
Absorbent cotton wool
Sheeting, plastic PVC clear 90 x 180 cm
Gloves (sterile) sizes 6 to 8
Gloves (examination) sizes small, medium, large
Face masks
Eye protection
Apron, utility plastic reusable
Soap
Inventory list of equipment and supplies
Best practice guidelines for emergency care
Supplementary equipment for use by skilled health
professionals
Laryngoscope handle
Laryngoscope Macintosh blades (adult)
Laryngoscope Macintosh blades (paediatric)
IV infusor bag
Magills Forceps (adult)
Magills Forceps (paediatric)
Stylet for Intubation
Spare bulbs and batteries for laryngoscope
Endotrachael tubes cuffed (# 5.5 to 9)
Endotrachael tubes uncuffed (# 3.0 to 5.0)
Chest tubes insertion equipment
Cricothyroidectomy
100
ANNEXURE-VIII
Following medicines should be available in the Emergency department for the patients for effective and
immediate management of their conditions:
The list can be pruned or expanded depending upon the need of the hospital.
101
33 Benzathine penicillin Injection powder 12 lacs IU vial
34 Cefotaxime Injection 250mg
35 Cefotaxime Injection 500 mg
36 Ceftriaxone Powder (sodium) Injection powder 250 mg
37 Ceftriaxone Powder (sodium) Injection powder 1 g vial
38 Amikacin Injection 500 mg/2 ml
39 Ciprofloxacin Injection IV 200 mg/ 100 ml
40 Gentamycin Sulphate Injection 40 mg/ ml, 2 ml
vial
41 Metronidazole Injection 500 mg/ 100ml
42 Heparin sodium Injection 5000 IU/ ml
43 Ethamsylate Injection 250 mg/2 ml
44 Vitamin K Injection 10 mg/ml, 1 ml
ampoule,
45 Plasma Volume Expander Injection 500ml
46 Diltiazem Injection 5 mg/ml
47 Glycerine trinitrate Tablet (sublingual) 500 mcg
48 Glycerine trinitrate Nitro Injection 5 mg/ ml
Glycerine
49 Isosorbide mononitrate Tablet 20 mg (SR)
50 Isosorbide dinitrate Tablet (sublingual) 5 mg
51 Adenosine Phosphate Injection 3 mg/ ml
52 Dobutamine Injection 125 mg/ 5 ml
53 Dopamine Hydrochloride Injection 40 mg/ ml
54 Streptokinase Injection powder 1500000 IU
55 Potassium permanganate Aqueous solution 1 : 10 000
56 Silver sulfadiazine Cream 1%
57 Calamine lotion Lotion 8%
58 Povidone iodine Solution 5%
59 Povidone iodine Ointment 5%
60 Furosemide Injection 10 mg/ml
61 Mannitol Injectable solution 20%
62 Ranitidine Injection 25 mg/ml
63 Metoclopramide Hydrochloride Injection 5 mg/ ml
64 Prochlorperazine Injection 12.5 mg/ml
65 Ondansetron Injection 2 mg/ ml
66 Promethazine Hydrochloride Injection 25 mg/ml
67 Promethazine Syrup 5 mg/ 5 ml
68 Hyoscine butyl bromide Injection 20 mg/ ml
69 Glycerine Saline Enema
70 Oral Rehydration Salts Powder for solution As per IP
71 Insulin (soluble) Injection 40 IU/ml
72 Intermediate-acting insulin Injection 40 IU/ml
102
(Lente)
73 Anti Rabies Immunoglobulin Injection 3000 IU /ml
74 Tetanus vaccine Injection 0.5 ml Ampoule
75 Anti Rabies vaccine Injection ID
76 Neostigmine Injection 500 mcg/ ml
77 Ciprofloxacin Eye Drops 0.3%
78 Atropine Sulphate Eye Ointment 1%
79 Tropicamide + Phenylepherine Eye Drops 0.8% + 5%
80 Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
81 Saline Nasal Drops 0.6%
82 Xylometazoline Nasal Drops 0.05%,
83 Glycerin Solution 500 gm bottle
84 Oxytocin Injection 5 IU in 1 ml
ampoule
85 Haloperidol Injection 5 mg
86 Alprazolam Tablet 0.25 mg
87 Aminophylline Injection 25 mg/ ml
88 Ipratropium bromide aerosol Nebulizer Solution
89 Salbutamol Sulphate Nebulizer solution 5 mg/ ml
90 Etophylline + Theophylline Injection 169.4 mg + 56.6
mg/2 ml
91 Budesonide Nebulizer solution 15 ml vial
92 Glucose/dextrose Injectable solution 5%, isotonic
93 Glucose/dextrose Injectable solution 10% isotonic
94 Glucose/dextrose Injectable 25%
95 Glucose with sodium Injectable solution 5% glucose +
chloride/saline 0.9% sodium
chloride
96 Potassium chloride Injectable solution 11.2% in 20ml
97 Ringer lactate Injectable IV solution
98 Sodium bicarbonate Injectable IV solution 7.5%
99 Sodium chloride Injectable solution 0.9% isotonic
100 Water for injection Injection 5ml ampoule
101 Artesunate Injection 60 mg/ml
102 Artemether Injection 80 mg/ml, 1 ml
amp
103 Quinine (Dihydrochloride) Injection 300 mg/ ml, 2ml
ampoule
104 Chloroquine phosphate Injection 40 mg / ml
105 Amiodarone Injection 50 mg/ml (3 ml
ampoule)
106 Digoxin Injection 0.25 mg/ml
107 Pantoprazole Injection 40 mg
103