UT-Harris County Psychiatric Center

Nursing Procedures

Labeling and Storage of Patient Property

Nursing

Harris County Psychiatric Center: Office Administration

Proper labeling and storage of individual patient supplies and belongings are essential in providing quality patient care, maintaining a clean and safe environment, and preventing loss of property

labeling, storage, patient property, loss prevention, valuables release

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Date of Last Review: 5/19/08
SME: Associate Director of Nursing

Proper labeling and storage of individual patient supplies and belongings are essential in providing quality patient care, maintaining a clean and safe environment, and preventing loss of property.

Procedure:

The three storage drawers under patient beds will be labeled to separate clean clothes, dirty clothes, and personal hygiene items (items not on the restricted items list). Patients in hospital beds will have labels placed inside or on cabinets provided.

Upon admission/transfer to an assigned unit, nursing staff will assist with the separation of personal belongings as needed. Staff shall explain to the patient which items are:

· Not allowed and must be sent home (ex. glass, sharp objects, weapons, etc.).

· Allowed, but must be kept nursing staff and be checked in and out.

· Allowed to be kept in patient rooms immediately.

Unit staff shall document inspection of personal belongings when completed and shall note unusual findings, disposition of belongings, or lack of findings in the progress notes.

Staff will assume responsibility of patient property when the patient's mental or physical status prevents patient from properly storing and/or caring for property. Documentation will be entered in the medical record communicating the decision to the patient as well as disposition of all property.

Personal items not allowed at bedside will be stored in a designated area on each unit (ex. curling irons, belts, mirrors, etc.). Staff will place a label on each item removed from the patient and document in the progress notes.

Electrical equipment allowed patients in the hospital shall be:

· Inventoried

· Checked by maintenance for electrical leakage/shortage prior to use

· Tagged to indicate inspection

Eyeglasses, dentures, and protheses removed from patients by staff when the patient is unable to care for or store them, must be sent to the Property Room for safekeeping and documented. All property must be returned to the patient upon request; when the treatment team recommends its safe return, and at discharge (complete a Valuables Release form).

No personal possessions shall be disposed of without written authorization of the patient or in the case of a minor, his/her guardian.

All property must be returned to the patient at discharge.

The unit staff shall contact the discharged patient/patient's family or guardian, to notify them of any items remaining at the hospital after discharge.

Any items left in the hospital by discharged patients shall be returned to the Property Room for safe storage and shall be disposed of according to hospital procedures.

Related Standards: