VULNERABLE

PATIENT
POLICY
By NS & Rose
Purpose

• To provide guideline instructions in

order to ensure a safe environment for
vulnerable patients.
• To identify the groups of patients who
shall be considered ‘vulnerable’
• To define a mechanism of assessment
and management of the vulnerable
patients.
 The following patients are considered as vulnerable

• Children below 12 years of age

• Old aged person (above 75 years of age )
• Physically or mentally challenged
persons
• Persons who cannot perform activities
of daily life
• Patients above 75 years
• Minors / any other patient in apparent
discomfort /distress
• Patients on wheel chair/trolley/walking aids
• All IPD patients, other than in ICU are to be screened
for special assistance needs during Nursing
Assessment on admission or during any phase of stay
depending on progress of the patient. Similarly
reassessment of patients shall be carried to identify
changing needs.
• Depending on the vulnerable aspect, each patient
shall be provided with actions and support tailored
to ensure that care and safety aspects are addressed.
• Vulnerable patients shall not be left alone at any
given time.
• Female patients and children of both genders shall
be attended for their physical interventions such as
bathing and toilet by a female attendant.
• All minors shall only be admitted along with an
attendant approved by the family (except in ICU).
• Special requests made by the patient/family shall
be respected.
• Regular monitoring shall be ensured by
supervisory staff to ensure the safety and security
of vulnerable patients.
Paediatric Patients
• Bed and crib side rails shall remain up and bed left in
lowest possible position when patient is not under
direct care of nurse or attendant.
• Accommodation for parents at bedside shall be made
whenever practical.
• Pillows shall be firm and offer support. Light plastic
wrappings are not permitted on sheets and pillows.
• Children receiving heat treatment of any kind shall be
kept under close supervision.
• Baby scales shall be placed safely on a table top so that
should the infant fall, baby would not land on the floor.
• No child shall be left unsupervised while he/she is
eating. Food shall be soft and age specific.
• Small candies and toys shall not be accessible to a
small child, lest he/she choke or insert them in a
body orifice.
• When a small child has finished eating, his/her
feeding equipment shall be removed and he/she
shall be returned to his/her crib immediately.
• Medication shall not be left on the bedside
• Wheelchair accessibility is possible within
the hospital
• For children, disabled and elderly patients
where ever possible arrangement is made for
bed side accommodation of bystanders
• Signage boards with contrasting colours;
large fonts in English as well as the regional
language are placed to help senior citizens.
• In registration counters senior citizens,
physically handicapped are given priority.
THANK
YOU