Today our topic of discussion is Preparation of the Patient and Environment.
Preparation of the Patient and Environment
Preparation of the Patient and Environment
- Explain the procedure.
- Arrange the articles at the bedsides .
- Place the patient in flat if the condition permits.
- Protect the pillow and the bed with a Mackintosh and towel under the head.
Eye Care
Eye care is carried out for a number or reasons: to clean the eye of discharge and crusts; prior to eye drop installation; to soothe eye irritation; to prevent corneal damage/abrasion in the unconscious/sedated patient .
Equipment Needed
- Clean trolley
- Sterile dressing pack containing a gallipot, gauze swabs and disposable towel Sterile 0.9% sodium chloride
- Sterile gloves
- Appropriate eye ointment/drops (as prescribed)
- Good light source
- Disposable bag for rubbish.
The patient should be sitting or lying with their head tilted backwards and chin pointing upwards. This allows for easy access to the eyes and is a good position for patient comfort.
Procedure: Explain to the patient what you are about to do even if the patient is unconscious. Make sure the bed area is clear of any obstructions to enable you to move around the bed freely, and that you have all the equipment-ensuring you are prepared means you will not have to leave the patient unnecessarily during the procedure.
- Make sure that the patient is in a comfortable position and that there is a good light source.
- Ensure patients privacy . Make an assessment of the patients eyes.
- Wash hands, put on gloves and open sterile pack.
- Place disposable towel around the patient’s neck Ask the patient to close their eyelids, to avoid damage to the cornea.
- With a gauze swab dampened in the saline 0.9% gently swab from the inner aspect (nasal corner) of the eye outwards.
- Use a new swab each time until all discharge has been removed.
- Repeat the procedure for both eyes .
- Dry the patient’s eyelids gently to remove excess fluid.
- Dispose of equipment.
- Ensure that patient is comfortable.
- Wash hands thoroughly.
- At this point, if required, eye ointment/drops are instilled.
- The medicine prescription should be checked against the label on the eye ointment/drops prior to cleaning patient’s eyes. The expiry date should also be checked on the medication.