Role and responsibility of a nurse in medical surgical setting Out patient department (OPD)

Role and responsibility of a nurse in medical surgical setting

                    Out patient  department (OPD) 

Out patient department where patient goes first when he feels ill or where a patient goes with an accident then the out patient department (opd) doctor will decide what to do he will either treat the patient or let him go home or refer him to relevant specialist if needed.

The department is designed with the prime idea of reducing patient time for registration and admission, consultant and investigation.

Many facilities are provided at opd level like, ECG, Plaster, injection and immunisation rule, and contraception and minor surgical intervention, physiotherapy, bronchoscopy, and endoscopy etc.

Medical fitness or medical examination and other such certificate are issue after paying requisite fees. 

The out patient department (opd) system includes the following models :

1: central registration

2: appointment

3: reception and enquiry help

4: billing and cash management

5: management information system

Inpatient department (IPD) or inpatient service (IP)

If OPD is the show window of the hospital, the IPD is the heart of the hospital. The IPD provides lodging, dite and medical care.

Inpatient mean that procedure secure the patient to admitted to the hospital. 

Primarily show that he or she can closely monitor during the procedure and after wards after recovery. 

A patient is admitted to the hospital and stays overnight or for an indeterminate time usually several days or weeks.

(though some cases like coma patient have to stay in hospital for years)

Conveniently, it can divided into :

* wards and rooms

* nurses station

* dietary services

* sanitary facilities and other requirements

Wards can be - intensive care unit (ICU)

                         -  intermediate care wards

                         - isolation wards

Role of nurse 

Care for the patient 

* nurses care for patient continually 24 hrs a day. 

Nurses carry out numerous procedure including patient evaluation, monitoring patients, vital signs and managing medication.

Nurses take care of their patients making sure that they can breathe properly, seen that they get enough fluid and enough nourishment, helping them rest and sleep, making sure that they are comfortable, taking care of their needs to eliminate waste from there body and helping them to avoid the harmful consequences of being immobile like stiff joint and pressure sore. 

The nurse often make independent decision about the care of the patient. 

Example :- the nurse may decide that in order to prevent pressure sore, the patient need to be turned every two hours. 

The nurse not only takes the care of patient but also gives comfort and support to the patient and his family.