hospital orientation
Hospital Orientation Core Materials for Students
Document Overview
Prepared by the San Antonio Clinical Liaison Student Orientation Standardization Work Group
Revision June 2017
Facilitates student orientation for clinical experiences in the Greater San Antonio area.
Each faculty/program must review material with students before clinical rotations.
Document completion of review required in student processing paperwork.
Table of Contents
Student Health Status (Page 3)
Student Dress Code (Page 3)
AIDET, Hourly Rounding, and the 10:5 Rule (Page 4)
Core Measures (Pages 5-6)
National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) (Page 7)
Patient Rights and Responsibilities (Pages 8-9)
Patient Privacy (HIPAA & Social Media) (Page 10-11)
Abuse and Neglect (Page 11)
Restraints (Pages 11-13)
Fire Safety (Page 13)
Electrical Safety (Page 13)
Hazardous Communications Act (Page 14)
Back Safety (Page 15)
Emergency Management (Page 16)
Infection Prevention (Pages 16-18)
Biohazardous Waste (Page 18)
Cultural Competence (Page 19)
Harassment (Page 20)
Student Health Status and Transmission of Contagious Illnesses
Attendance Policy:
Students must not attend clinical if showing flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever >100°F, body aches, cough).
Must leave facility if ill.
Flu contagious up to one day before symptoms appear and for five days after onset.
Must stay home for 24 hours after fever subsides (without medication).
Student Dress Code
General Requirements:
Compliance with school and hospital-specific dress code.
Identification:
Wear name badge above waist at all times.
Hygiene Standards:
Hair must be clean, neat, off the shoulder and contained.
No fragrances; fingernails must be natural, short (1/8 to ¼ in), and clean.
Artificial nails and nail polish are not permitted.
Conservative makeup.
Jewelry:
Rings can’t interfere with patient care. Earrings should be limited to small studs, and necklaces must be tucked under scrubs to ensure safety and hygiene.
Body piercings, other than ears, is prohibited.
Tattoos must be covered.
Uniforms:
Clean, neat, well-fitting, reflecting professionalism.
No open-toe shoes (except nursing clogs); socks or other foot coverings required.
AIDET and Hourly Rounding
AIDET Overview
Acknowledge: Eye contact, smile, use their name.
Introduce: Name, title, experience.
Duration: Explain time for procedures.
Explain: What and why of care procedures.
Thank You: Show appreciation for cooperation.
Hourly Rounding Steps
Knock before entering, ask permission to enter, introduce yourself, state purpose.
Perform scheduled care and check the Five Ps:
Pain, Position, Potty, Possessions, Prevention.
Ask if there’s anything else you can do before leaving, document.
10-5 Rule
10 feet: smile and eye contact
5 feet: say hello and maybe ask guest if they need directions.
Core Measures
Governed by TJC and CMS to enhance quality and safety in hospitals.
Requirements for Reporting:
Collect data to improve practices and care outcomes.
Publicly reported at www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov.
Core measures include standards for the following conditions:
acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care improvement project, stroke, immunizations, venous thromboembolism, and children’s asthma care.
Core Measures: AMI, HF, PN, SCIP, Stroke, Immunization, VTE, CAC
National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG)
Goal 1: Accurate patient identification through two identifiers.
Goal 2: Timely communication among caregivers for critical test results.
Goal 3: Safety in medication usage, labeling, and accurate medication history.
Goal 6: Alarms safety.
Goal 7: Reduce healthcare-associated infections through compliance with guidelines.
Goal 15: Identify patient safety risks, especially suicidal risks.
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Patient’s Bill of Rights:
Right to considerate and respectful care.
Right to relevant information about treatment.
Right to participate in decisions about care.
Right to have advance directives respected.
Right to privacy and confidentiality.
Right to review medical records.
Right to reasonable requests for medical care.
Right to know of business relationships influencing treatment.
Right to refuse or consent to research participation.
Right to continuity of care.
Right to be informed of hospital policies.
Patient Privacy (HIPAA & Social Media)
HIPAA Compliance:
Secure, private management of medical information.
Share patient info on a need-to-know basis only.
Social Media Guidelines:
No sharing of patient info or experiences online.
Secure passwords for student accounts.
Abuse and Neglect
Definitions:
Abuse: mental, emotional, physical, or sexual injury.
Neglect: failure to provide basic needs for vulnerable individuals.
Report suspected abuse to Texas DFPS; immunity from liability for reporters.
Restraints
Patients have a right to be free from restraints unless necessary for safety.
Documentation and monitoring required for restraint use.
Fire Safety Procedures
RACE Protocol:
Rescue - Remove individuals in danger.
Alarm - Activate fire alarms.
Confine - Close doors to contain fire.
Extinguish - Use a fire extinguisher if safe.
Electrical Safety Guidelines
Follow equipment instructions and report defects.
Use properly rated equipment to prevent electrical hazards.
Hazardous Communication Act
Right to Know Law:
Understand hazardous chemicals through labeling and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Back Safety Measures
Use correct body mechanics to lift and transfer patients.
Emergency Management Protocol
Hospitals have disaster preparedness plans; familiarize with codes and procedures.
Infection Prevention Practices
Best Practice: Hand Hygiene is primary for preventing infections.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use for safety in all patient interactions.
Cultural Competence in Healthcare
Understanding diverse cultural backgrounds improves patient interactions and health outcomes.
Harassment Policy
Report any form of harassment immediately; the hospital prohibits such behaviors.