Hospital Departments
Overview
To provide the best care to the patient hospitals are divided into departments. The staff of these departments works together and coordinates to provide continuity of patient care. These coordinated efforts are based on the organizational structure of the hospital. A hospital has a governing body that appoints a chief executive officer, who is usually titled as the hospital administrator. Administrative lines of authority, responsibility and accountability are defined to establish the working relationships between departments and personnel. The representative of the nursing personnel, the nurse executive or director of nursing services will then report to the hospital administrator.
Preoperative Testing Center
This is the area assigned to evaluate the patient and give health teaching to patients who will be undergoing an elective surgery. This center is usually located in the outpatient department of the hospital. Appointments must be made to visit the preoperative testing center and the activity in this area must be done about 1 to 7 days before the surgery. The following are the activities done in this area:
- Nursing assessment
- Anesthesia screening
- Patient education
- Routine laboratory tests , x-ray studies and electrocardiogram are carried out per doctor’s order or the hospital’s policy
- A consent may be signed in this area
Endoscopy Units
The endoscopy unit is utilized primarily for gastrointestinal procedures that use sophisticated and complex technology. A number of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures nowadays are performed through the use of an endoscope. Thus, this area is very important. Physical facilities in this short-stay unit include:
- Patient preparation
- Patient treatment
- Patient recovery
- Equipment cleaning, storage and preparation
Nursing Units
In these units channels of communication must be kept open and coordination of activities is very important. A registered nurse accomplishes the task in the area with the assistance and help of the LVN or the LPN. By the time the patient is discharge in the hospital or leaves the unit for the OR suite, all the papers, preparations and teachings needed are already accomplished by the staff of this unit.
Emergency Department
Also called the trauma center of the hospital, the Emergency Department is one of the busiest hospital units. This is the area where the trauma victims and those patients who are suffering from chronic and acute illnesses are initially assessed and advised for admission. When overwhelming number of patients is present at this area initiation of prompt triage and treatment may be necessary to apply. Cardiopulmonary and other resuscitative equipments must be available in this area. Minor injuries can be treated in the emergency room while those that require extensive surgery are scheduled for surgical procedure in the operating room.
The emergency department personnel are composed of designated physicians, surgeons and nursing personnel. A trauma nurse coordinator is responsible for all personnel and activities to ensure comprehensive trauma care.
Daisy Jane Antipuesto RN MN
Currently a Nursing Local Board Examination Reviewer. Subjects handled are Pediatric, Obstetric and Psychiatric Nursing. Previous work experiences include: Clinical instructor/lecturer, clinical coordinator (Level II), caregiver instructor/lecturer, NC2 examination reviewer and staff/clinic nurse. Areas of specialization: Emergency room, Orthopedic Ward and Delivery Room. Also an IELTS passer.
