HOME     NURSING AFFAIRS     PATIENT RIGHTS     PATIENTS AFFAIRS

PATIENT CARE UNIT:

Scope of Service

The Protocol Clinic provides comprehensive medical and nursing services to eligible pediatric and adult V.I.P patients in an Ambulatory Care arena.  Protocol Clinic consists of three consultant rooms with an attached examination room; each room is equipped to cater for the multi -specialties that frequently utilize the clinic.  Dermatology, Gastroenterology and OB/Gynecology services regularly perform minor procedures such as skin biopsies, sigmoidoscopies and pap smears.  Specialized Nursing clinics are also conducted on a regular basis providing follow up care for patients requiring administration of pre ordered injections, wound care, suture removal, blood pressure monitoring and cardiology work up.

Frequent Services

Medical Services include:

Ø       Cardiology

Ø       Dermatology

Ø       Endocrinology

Ø       Gastroenterology

Ø       General Surgery

Ø       Internal Medicine

Ø       Neurology

Ø       Obstetric and Gynecology

Ø       Pediatrics – General and Infectious Diseases

Ø       Plastics

Ø       Psychiatry

Ø       Pulmonary – Pediatrics and Adults

Ø       Urology

In addition:

Ø       Specialized Nursing Services/ Clinic – Administering pre ordered injections, wound care (simple dressings), suture removal, blood pressure monitoring and Cardiology work up.

Ø       Satellite Laboratory available within the Protocol Clinic

Frequent procedures/services/functions

Ø       Antenatal care

Ø       Postnatal care

Ø       Routine immunization administration

Ø       Well baby monitoring and Child Health care

Ø       Pap Smears

Ø       IUD insertion and removal

Ø       Cauterization

Ø       Skin biopsy

Ø       Wart Removal

Ø       Fungal Cultures

Ø       Sigmoidoscopy

Ø       Wound Care

Ø       Suture removal

Ø       Diagnostic work up

Hours of Operation

Saturday through Tuesday,           8:00 – 6:00 PM

Wednesday                                          8:00 - 5:00 PM 

CRITERIA FOR CLINIC ELIGIBILITY

The Protocol Administration department determines the eligibility for all patient appointments; whether scheduled or unscheduled.  The Protocol Coordinators are responsible for the booking of all patients seen in the Protocol Clinic. 

STAFFING PLAN:

Number and Mix of Staff

Assistant Head Nurse     -                               1

SNI                                         -                               5

SNII                                       -                               2

SNIII                                      -                               1

Ward Clerk                          -                               1

PCA                                       -                               2

Total MSR lines:                                                                12

Method of Adjusting to Staffing Variances

The Charge Nurse in conjunction with the Assistant Head Nurse monitors the staffing schedule.  Three clinics run concurrently, nurses are assigned to each clinic on a rotational basis to ensure skill level in all specialties is maintained.  The daily schedule is planned a day in advance and the number of staff required is determined by the number of scheduled patients, acuity of the patient, reason for the visit and the requirements of the attending Physician.  Nurses are obtained from other Ambulatory Care clinics if additional nurses are required.  Respectively if extra staff is available Protocol Clinic nurses float to other Ambulatory Care clinics as the need arises.

QUALIFICATIONS OF STAFF:

 SNI, SNII, SNIII             

1. Registered Nursing license or registration from country of origin

2. Current BCLS

3. Recent medical/ surgical, obstetrics and/ or pediatric experience.

Ward Clerks

1. Saudi National

2. English speaking

3. High School diploma required

Patient Care Assistants

1. Saudi National

HOW ARE INSERVICES/CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS PROVIDED TO MAINTAIN STAFF COMPETENCY?

An education plan is devised in conjunction with the Clinical Instructor and Education Coordinator on an annual basis.  Continuing education is offered through staff development and at the clinic level coordinated by the Clinical Instructor.  Regular in-services are conducted in the clinic based upon identified needs by the staff.  Each nurse in the clinic presents an in-service to the clinic staff on a rotational basis on topics of either interest to staff, or selected from the annual needs assessment performed by the Clinical Instructor.  Applicable courses offered by NER are attended by the clinic staff according to the clinic staffing requirements.  In additional annual competencies are completed annually by all staff to maintain skill levels.

Required Competencies

1. Initial Competencies – orientation checklist

2. Organization competencies – BCLS, Fire and Safety (Hands on training)

3. Adult Physical Assessment

4. Pediatric Physical Assessment

5. Annual competencies:

-          Point of Care Testing

-          Performance Improvement

-          Infection Control

-          Wound Care

-          Pressure Ulcer Prevention

-          Fire and Safety

-          Waste Management/ Hazardous Material

-          Age Specific

METHOD OF COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS/PROGRAMS:

Internal and External Methods of Communication

Internally and externally, communication is accomplished via direct verbal communication, telephone, fax, intranet and written memos.  Staff meetings are held on a monthly basis, or more frequently as required. Meetings for other services are scheduled as required. 

Describe Collaborative Relationships with Other Departments

Care provided to the Protocol Clinic patients is multi-disciplinary requiring communication with many departments including the Medical Profession, Protocol Administration, Laboratory Department, Clinical Service Departments, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy and other Ambulatory Care clinics to name just a few.  All staff are trained in effective communication skills; attending Customer Care Service classes. Open lines of communication are maintained with all of the support service departments including the emergency department V.I.P. section. 

DISCHARGE PLANNING

At each clinic visit patient care includes ongoing education and discharge planning to include the following:

1. Medication – adequate supply is ordered/ provided until the next scheduled appointment.

2. Home Supply (if applicable) – adequate supply is provided.

3. Follow up diagnostic tests – order requests are placed and patient education provided.

4. Follow up appointment – order request placed.

                                   [ Home ] [ Up ] [ NEWS ] [ Divisions ] [ Phone Directory ] [ Score Cards ] [ ACN Committees ]