Any ideas on how to improve the safety of this procedure?

[Patrickmad]

I am the assistant director of security at a hospital. One of the tasks we preform is securing patient's valuables. The basic process involves searching the patients clothes and inventorying all items we find on a form. A nurse signs the form and, if able the patient signs too.

I have been at this site for 5 and 1/2 years and no major incidents have occurred while doing this procedure...until this weekend. One of my officers was stuck by a needle while searching a patient's valuables. As of right now he has tested negative for any illness.

I would like to make sure this never happens again. My ideas are:

1. We should ask the patients if they are in possession of any dangerous items. ( I know pt aren't always conscious or telling the truth, but I figured this can't hurt.
2. All clothes should be emptied into a clear plastic box/Tupperware vs. a blind hand search
3. My department should have needle resistant gloves.

If you have any other ideas, or would like to share what you and your department do I would appreciate it.

[Squid]

use a object (like edge of a clipboard) to 'feel' for any objects in clothing before sticking your hand in a pocket.

maybe use a old X-ray machine. lol.

rewrite your agency's "responsibility" so you aren't required to glean every last little item from clothing, just store the clothing "as handed over by patient".

Are these "patients" you speak of often also "subjects" in criminal investigations/arrests? If so, shouldn't the cops take first crack at searching clothing?

I sense we aren't talking about accountants coming in for routine Colonoscopies.

[sgtnewby]

We search all patients that are on some type of hold or in a secured area. Needle sticks are a constant worry, though it is very rare that it happens. Inventorying property is the responsability of the nursing assistant and any property that comes up missing after the inventory is taken (along with reimbersment) is the responsability of the medical unit where it went missing. The reimbersment of missing property used to fall under our departments budget, whether we had contact with the patient or not. But that changed about a year ago and now the staff that lose patient property are held accountable.

[Patrickmad]

Squid, you are correct. These are patients on a pscyhiatric hold.

I will look into the liability of taking possesion of someone's property, but for now I would prefer the detail oriented approach to document as many items as necessary.

Sgt, that sounds good but not likely to happen here.

[Lawson]

Have your officers invest in a pair of these in the meantime...

http://www.tnasafety.com/HexArmor-60...FUfhQgodljMAJg