BURAIDAH C ENTRAL H OSPITAL

Department : NURSING SERVICE Policy Index: PP-BCH-NR/GNR-007-DPP-E Title: NURSING SERVICE FLOATING AND PULL OUT Applies to: All Nursing Staff Effective Date: 01-01-1432 H New

B. C. H.

DPP

Replace Number: XXXXX Number of Pages: 3 Review Due: 01-12-1433 H

1. PURPOSE : 1.1 The purpose of this policy is to withdraw the nurses from their asssigned area when the
need is raised, and re-assigned them to work in another unit with high census of patients and shortage of staffing in that area, in order to meet patient care needs .

2. DEFINITION: 2.1 Effective and efficient use of resources in meeting patients care needs.

3. POLICY:

3.1. The actual assignment is made by assessing the skills level, past experience, and
the per ceive ability of the staff nurse to fullfill the assigned role.

3.2.

The staff nurse does not possess all the units specific competencies of a regular staff nevertheless, she / he can contribute positively to patient satisfaction. The professional approach of all nurses is respect for patients values, preferences and expressed needs. Unanticipated changes in patients care needs can necessitate reassignment of nurses to provide safe coverage , these can occur due to increased acuity sick call, transfers or a shortage of staff. When floating is necessary, a staffing decision will be based on patient needs, staff com petency and rotation. Approval
Approved by: Ahmad Abdulla Al-Omar Hospital Director Page Number: 1/3 Stamp

3.3.

3.4.

Prepared by: Ghada Falah Al -Harby Staff Nurse

Form Index: BCH-QM-009-E

Example If theres a shortage in FMW, if possible pull out a female nurse from MMW, because she will be familiar with the routine and the internal specific policy and procedure of the unit. Also if theres a need for a staff in trauma area in ER , try to pull out a nurse from Surgical Ward or Orthopaedic Ward .

3.5.

The 90-days probation period must be completed before a nurse will be expected to float out of her / his unit. An effort will be made to minimize the necessity of assigning nurses to units other than their regular assigned area. Floating or pull out nurse will be expected to perform all basic nursing functions, but will not be required to perform tasks or procedure for which they are not currently qualified. A nurse who does not accept the request to float for an alternative assignment on a regular schedule shift without a sufficient reason will be subjected to disciplinary action. Nurses required to work an alternative assignment will receive an orientation.

3.6.

3.7. 3.8.

3.9.

3.10.Pullout are assigned based on the international of : 3.10.1 1 nurse : 5 patient in morning duty. 3.10.2 1 nurse : 6 patient on evening duty. 3.10.3 1 nurse : 8 patient in night duty. Critical area > 1:1 for ventilated patient. > 1:1 for non ventilated patient. ER > 1: 4 in observation area. > 1: 1 in trauma area.

4. PROCEDURES:

4.1 The staff who floats will experience some anxiety because of unknowing and unfamiliar
surroundings, like wise the unit staff, the float nurse must spends a few minutes to ask questions and get answers.

4.2 The unit must have a department orientation and an information sheet for reference inclu ding the policy and procedure of the unit.

4.3 The floating / pullout nurse, before starting the task should familiarize him / herself with the
unit, and introduce her / himself to the unit staff, taking few minutes to find out where the key items are located.
Policy Number: PP-BCH-NR/GNR-007-DPP-E Title: NURSING SERVICE FLOATING AND PULL OUT Page Number: 2/3 Approval Stamp

Form Index: BCH-QM-009-E

4.4 The charge nurse should orient the floating nurse to the location of emergency equipment,
crash cart, fire extinquisher, fire alarm, fire exits, location of unit supply, machines and equipment, break time, number of beds in the unit, how many bed occupied, kind of cases, patients room, chart, unit telephone number and the standard of care and plan unit policy and procedure. 4.5 As a Floating Nurse : 4.5.1 First introduce yourself to the Charge Nurse and unit staff. 4.5.2 Minimize your fear by getting help, asking the Charge nurse or a senior expert nurse in the unit when there is a treatment requiring unit specific protocol.

4.5.3 Consult with the charge nurse in the unit or a senior staff who has experience with the protocol. 4.5.4 When a patient exhibits a signs and symptoms with which you have no experience, get help, ask the charge nurse or a senior expert nurse in the unit . 4.5.5 Show interest and openness and minimize resistance to others than your own. 4.5.6 Follow the policy and procedure of the unit you are assigned in. 4.5.7 Document carefully and completely in a legible way . 4.5.8 You will be experiencing that the unit staff nurse will be initially unfamiliar, with your knowledge and skills and your experiences, they might show untrust in taking care of their patient, so define your level of expertise, expectation, about your attitude and the level of assistance you will need and your willingness to show your initiative. Your approach will hep you establish a report and get you the support that you need. 4.5.9 If you are in doubt do not hesitate to ask. 4.5.10 Try to compare everything in the unit you are pulled out in and your unit, try to ask questions you would not know without asking.

5..FORMS AND EQUIPMENT:

5.1 Policy and Procedure Manual of each Unit .

6. REFERENCES:

6.1 Ministry of Health Policy and Procedure Manual.

7..APPENDIX :

7.1 N/A.
8 . APPROVAL :

Policy Number: PP-BCH-NR/GNR-007-DPP-E

Title: NURSING SERVICE FLOATING AND PULL OUT

Page Number: 3/3

Approval Stamp

Form Index: BCH-QM-009-E

Name Prepared by: Ghadah Falah Al-Harby 1. Abdullah Obeid Al-Harby Reviewed by: 2.Ehab El Husseiny Ibrahim 3.Manea Al-Belaihy Approved by: Ahmad Abdulla Al-Omar

Position Staff Nurse Nursing Director QM Director Medical Director Hospital Director

Signature

Date
22-11-1431 H 24-11-1431 H 29-11-1431 H 29-11-1431 H 01-12-1431 H

Policy Number: PP-BCH-NR/GNR-007-DPP-E

Title: NURSING SERVICE FLOATING AND PULL OUT

Page Number: 4/3

Approval Stamp

Form Index: BCH-QM-009-E