CHAPTER 35 Preparing the Examination and Treatment Area © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-2 Learning Outcomes 35.1 Explain the medical assistant’s role in preparing the examination room 35.2 Describe the layout and features of a typical examination room 35.3 Describe steps to prevent the spread of infection in the examination room 35.4 Explain how and when to disinfect examination room surfaces © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-3 Learning Outcomes (cont.) 35.5 Describe the importance of such factors as temperature, lighting, and ventilation in the examination room 35.6 Identify instruments and supplies used in a general physical examination, and tell how to arrange and prepare them 35.7 Explain how to eliminate hazards to physical safety in the examination room © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-4 Introduction • Preparation of the exam room and treatment area – Common layouts – Cleanliness and supplies – Comfort of room – Safety • Accessibility based on the Americans with Disabilities Act © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-5 The Medical Assistant’s Role in Preparing the Examination Room • Maintain neatness and cleanliness of the room • Ensure that all supplies and equipment needed are present for the physician’s use • Make certain that potential safety hazards are eliminated © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-6 The Medical Assistant’s Role in Preparing the Examination Room (cont.) • Main concerns are © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-7 Apply Your Knowledge What are three tasks the medical assistant should to prepare the examination room? ANSWER: The medical assistant should Maintain neatness and cleanliness of the room Ensure that all supplies and equipment needed are present for the physician’s use Make certain that potential safety hazards are eliminated © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-8 The Examination Room • The area where the physician: – Observes the patient – Listens to patient symptoms – Performs a general physical examination to confirm health or diagnose a medical problem © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-9 The Examination Room (cont.) • Number and size of rooms – Depends on the number of physicians in the medical practice – Average size room is × 12 ft – Rooms should be large enough for patient, physician, and medical assistant, yet small enough to have supplies within reach © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-10 Exam Room Furnishings • Should be arranged for: – Efficiency – Patient comfort – Physician convenience • Items commonly found in examination rooms One or more chairs A rolling stool Weight scale Biohazard container Wastebasket with lid Puncture-proof containers Wall brackets High-intensity lamp © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-30 Consumable Supplies • Supplies that are used up – Fixative – chemical spray used for preserving a specimen – Isopropyl alcohol – Lubricant – a water-soluble gel • Be sure patients not have access to – Prescription blanks – Drugs – Needles © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-31 Medical Instruments and Supplies (cont.) • Storing supplies in cabinets and drawers – Label so items can be easily located • Restocking supplies – Reorder when the first half of a box, tube, or bottle has been used – Routinely straighten and clean © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-32 Apply Your Knowledge A medical assistant is preparing the treatment room for a local ENT specialist Which of the following instruments might be used in this office to assess patient ear, nose, and throat functioning? ANSWER: stethoscope *penlight penlight *nasal nasal speculum speculum *laryngeal mirror laryngeal mirror reflex hammer *ophthalmoscope ophthalmoscope otoscope *otoscope tape measure sphygmomanometer *tuning tuningfork fork anoscope Good Choices! © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-33 Physical Safety in the Exam Room • Floor – Wipe up spills immediately – Pick up dropped items – Be sure carpets and rugs are intact • Cabinets and drawers – Keep closed • Prevents injury • Supplies not exposed to patients © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-34 Physical Safety in the Exam Room (cont.) • Furniture – No rough edges or sharp corners – Pull from service and check with supervisor • Cords and cables – Taped or fastened down – Replace if worn © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-35 Special Safety Precautions • Children – Keep medication and dangerous items out of reach – Toys should be washable and safe • Patients with disabilities – Fall precautions – Safe flooring and handrails – Be sure toys not have any sharp surfaces © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-36 Fire Safety Fire Prevention • Store and dispose of hazardous substances correctly • Post “No Smoking” signs in office areas • Check electrical cords, plugs, and outlets • Have functional smoke detectors © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-37 Fire Safety (cont.) • In case of fire – Using safety equipment • Fire extinguisher – “PASS” system – Have a safe evacuation route • Locate fire alarms, fire doors, and fire escapes • Stage fire drills © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-38 Apply Your Knowledge The medical assistant has received the recently ordered office cleaning supplies When unpacking the cleaning solutions for storage, he finds two new disinfectant solutions that he is unfamiliar with How should the medical assistant handle this? ANSWER: Impressive! A Store the solutions with the other cleaning solutions in the usual cabinet B Lock the new solution up in a separate cabinet C Read the label carefully and check the MSDS information before storing the liquids © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-39 In Summary 35.1 It is the medical assistant’s responsibility to ensure that the examination room is neat, clean, and appropriately stocked 35.2 A typical examination room is about by 12 feet, large enough to accommodate the physician, the patient, and one assistant Instruments and equipment in the room should be easily accessible © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-40 In Summary (cont.) 35.3 Steps involved in preventing the spread of infection in the examination room include covering the examination table with a paper cover and changing the cover between each patient It is also important to disinfect all surfaces that come in contact with blood or body fluids after each patient, and at the beginning and end of the day © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-41 In Summary (cont.) 35.4 Examination room surfaces should be disinfected after an examination or treatment during which surfaces have become visibly contaminated, immediately following accidental blood or body fluid spills or splatter, and at the end of the medical assistant’s work shift 35.5 It is important that patients feel comfortable in the examination room A room that is comfortably warm, well lit, and properly ventilated will help the patient feel comfortable during the examination © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-42 In Summary (cont.) 35.6 A variety of instruments and supplies are used in a general physical examination To ensure that the examination room always has the necessary instruments and supplies, the medical assistant should order and stock all supplies needed for examinations and treatment procedures, keep the instruments sanitized, disinfected, or sterilized and in working order, and place all instruments and supplies where the doctor can easily reach them © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-43 In Summary (cont.) 35.7 To eliminate hazards to physical safety in the examination room, the medical assistant should be alert for any physical hazards in the area, including spills, dropped objects, open cabinet doors, damaged furniture, or improperly secured cords and cables © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35-44 End of Chapter 35 Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands ~ Jeff Cooper © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed [...]... -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 35 Special Safety Precautions • Children – Keep medication and dangerous items out of reach – Toys should be washable and safe • Patients with disabilities – Fall precautions – Safe flooring and handrails – Be sure toys do not have any sharp surfaces © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 36 Fire Safety Fire Prevention • Store... he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 13 Apply Your Knowledge When arranging an examination room, what three things should you consider? ANSWER: You need to consider efficiency, patient comfort, and physician convenience when arranging an examination room Right! © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 14 Cleanliness in the Examination Room • Strict housekeeping... A ll rights reserv ed 35- 16 Cleanliness in the Exam Room (cont.) • Examining table – Change the disposable paper covering the examination table after each use • Dispose of paper coverings soiled by body fluids in a biohazardous waste container – Also place soiled linens and pillowcases in biohazardlabeled bags © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 17 Cleanliness in the... 35- 18 Cleanliness in the Exam Room (cont.) • Putting the room in order – Straighten room between patients – Boosts patient confidence in efficiency and abilities of medical personnel • Housekeeping – Janitorial services for after-hours cleaning • Monitor for lapses in cleanliness – Medical assistant may do some housekeeping chores © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 19... odors in treatment room areas © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 20 Room Temperature, Lighting, and Ventilation • Maintain examination room temperature at about 72°F • Eliminate drafts from windows and doors © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 21 Room Temperature, Lighting, and Ventilation (cont.) • Good lighting needed – Accurate diagnoses... © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 22 Room Temperature, Lighting, and Ventilation (cont.) • Examination area should smell clean and fresh • Eliminate source of odors • If opening windows, monitor room temperature • Room deodorizer or spray © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 23 Apply Your Knowledge Why is it important to have good lighting... panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 24 Medical Instruments and Supplies • Tasks to maintain instruments and supplies – Order and stock all needed supplies – Sanitize, disinfect, and/or sterilize instruments as needed – Instruments and supplies should be placed within easy reach for the physician © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 25 Instruments for a General Physical... rights reserv ed 35- 26 Instruments for a General Physical Exam (cont.) Instrument Purpose Otoscope Used to examine the inner ear Penlight Small flashlight used to view a small area Reflex hammer Used to check patient’s reflexes Sphygmomanometer Used to measure blood pressure Stethoscope Used to listen to body sounds © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 27 Instruments... ll rights reserv ed 35- 29 Supplies for a General Physical Exam Curettes Cervical scraper Disposable needles Disposable syringes Cotton-tipped applicators Sterile and clean gloves Specimen containers Cotton balls Glass slides Paper tissues Gauze, dressings, and bandages Occult blood test slides Tongue depressors © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 30 Consumable Supplies... -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 31 Medical Instruments and Supplies (cont.) • Storing supplies in cabinets and drawers – Label so items can be easily located • Restocking supplies – Reorder when the first half of a box, tube, or bottle has been used – Routinely straighten and clean © 2011 T he McGraw -Hill Com panie s, Inc A ll rights reserv ed 35- 32 Apply Your Knowledge A medical assistant