Final answer:
Hospice/home health nurses should carry emergency kits that include sterilization equipment, wound care supplies, emergency medications, biohazard containers, laboratory supplies, diagnostic tools, and essential documentation for review of care plans and procedures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The requirements for emergency kits used by hospice/home health nurses are determined to ensure they are prepared to provide the necessary care in a variety of situations. The emergency kits should include items essential for patient care, such as standard medical supplies, medications and equipment for common scenarios that might arise in a home health or hospice setting. These kits commonly contain:
- Sterilization equipment such as Bunsen burners or portable sterilizers to ensure aseptic techniques.
- Basic wound care supplies, including various sizes of bandages, gauze, and antiseptics.
- Emergency medications, often including pain relievers, antiemetics, antipyretics, and any patient-specific medications that are part of the patient’s hospice care plan.
- A biohazard disposal container for safely discarding used sharps and other potentially infectious materials.
- Laboratory supplies such as microscopes, disposable gloves, and possibly inoculating loops and needles for on-the-spot assessments.
- Diagnostic tools, which may include blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, and thermometers.
- Essential documentation to ensure the nurse reviews care plans and patient-specific procedures thoroughly.
In addition, nurses are trained to double-check that items like needles and sponges are accounted for, and that any specimens are correctly labeled. Providing this high level of care and attention to detail is crucial in a hospice or home health environment where the nurse often acts independently and must maintain a high standard of care.