Inpatient Nursing
Inpatient Nursing Units are responsible for managing patient admissions, transfers, and discharges, ensuring efficient patient flow within the hospital. While admissions may originate from various sources such as the Emergency Department (ED), Procedural Areas, Direct Admits, or Transfers from other units, it is crucial to note that the originating unit is responsible for entering bed requests. Although Nursing Units do not initiate these requests, they play a vital role in processing them efficiently to optimize patient placement and safety.
Where you can find this feature: Bed Management Dashboard, Unit View, Transfer Center, and Discharge Planning Tools within TeleTracking® solutions.
How Inpatient Nursing Works
Functionality
Bed Requests
Admissions into the Unit: Patients admitted from ED, procedural areas, or as direct admits require a bed request submission.
Transfers Out of the Unit: Patients transferring to another unit require proper request handling to facilitate a smooth transition.
Discharge Planning
Discharges must be planned efficiently to ensure bed availability for incoming patients.
TeleTracking® solutions provide discharge planning tools to streamline communication and expedite patient movement.
Nursing Unit Responsibilities
Monitor incoming bed requests and coordinate assignments.
Collaborate with bed managers to facilitate efficient patient placement.
Ensure patient handoff and documentation processes align with hospital policies.
Workflows
Admission to a Nursing Unit
Bed Request Submission
The originating department submits a bed request via the Bed Management Dashboard.
Nursing Units review and prioritize requests based on bed availability and patient acuity.
Bed Assignment & Preparation
Bed Management assigns the patient to an available bed.
Nursing staff prepare the bed and ensure necessary resources are in place.
Patient Arrival & Handoff
The patient is transported to the assigned bed.
Nursing staff perform intake procedures, including vital sign monitoring and documentation.
Transfer from a Nursing Unit
Transfer Request Submission
The current unit submits a transfer request within the system.
The receiving unit reviews and confirms bed availability.
Handoff & Transition
Nursing staff coordinate with transport teams for safe patient relocation.
Patient records and care plans are transferred accordingly.
Discharge Process
Discharge Planning Initiation
Discharge readiness is assessed in coordination with physicians and case management.
The discharge order is entered into the system.
Final Patient Preparation
Nursing staff complete discharge instructions and ensure all patient belongings are accounted for.
The system updates the bed status to reflect availability for the next admission.
Troubleshooting & Common Challenges
Delayed Bed Requests Processing
Issue: A bed request remains unassigned longer than expected.
Solution: Check for pending approvals in the system or capacity constraints preventing assignment. Contact the Bed Management team for resolution.
Transfer Delays Due to Bed Unavailability
Issue: A transfer request is approved, but no bed is assigned.
Solution: Verify that the receiving unit has confirmed bed availability and ensure proper request status updates in the system.
Discharge Bottlenecks
Issue: A discharged patient remains in the system due to a missing order.
Solution: Confirm with the physician that the discharge order has been entered. If needed, escalate to case management to expedite documentation.
System Downtime or Interface Errors
Issue: Bed requests or discharge updates fail to process.
Solution: If the system is down, follow manual escalation procedures with Bed Management. If an error occurs, check system logs for troubleshooting guidance or contact IT support.
By leveraging TeleTracking® solutions for bed management, admission tracking, and discharge planning, Nursing Units can enhance efficiency, improve patient flow, and deliver high-quality care.