PCS6 Measure and record patients' body fluid output

Overview

This standard covers the measurement of body fluid outputs (blood, urine and gastric aspirate) and wound drainage or irrigation as delegated by the registered practitioner. This standard does not cover autologous transfusion systems. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies. Version No 1

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. The current European and National legislation, national guidelines, organisational policies and protocols in accordance with Clinical/Corporate Governance which affect your work practice in relation to measuring and recording patients’ body fluid output
2. Your responsibilities and accountability in relation to the current European and National legislation, national guidelines and local policies and protocols and Clinical/Corporate Governance
3. The duty to report any acts or omissions in care that could be detrimental to yourself, other individuals or your employer
4. The importance of working within your own sphere of competence and seeking advice when faced with situations outside your sphere of competence
5. The application of standard precautions to measuring body fluid output and wound drainage and weighing swabs, and the potential consequences of poor practice
6. The types, purpose and function of materials and equipment needed for measuring body fluid output and wound drainage
7. The purposes of measuring patients’ body fluid output and wound drainage
8. The importance of distinguishing between body fluids and those introduced during clinical procedures, for example, irrigation fluid, in order to get accurate fluid loss measurements
9. The potential hazards associated with measuring body fluids and wound drainage, and how they can be avoided or minimised
10. The principles and methods of waste disposal, particularly hazardous waste
11. The methods and techniques for measuring blood fluid output and wound drainage
12. Where and how to record information on measurements of body fluid output and wound drainage and swab weight
13. The importance of accurately reporting and recording all required information
14. The importance of keeping accurate and up to date records
15. The importance of immediately reporting any issues which are outside your own sphere of competence without delay to the relevant member of staff

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. apply standard precautions for infection prevention and control and take other appropriate health and safety measures
2. measure patients’ body fluid output accurately using the method of measuring at specified time(s) according to the plan of care, or as directed by the registered practitioner
3. record measurements correctly in the required format, and report them accurately to the appropriate member of the care team
4. report any problems in measuring or recording patients’ body fluid output promptly to the appropriate member of the care team
5. correctly dispose of single use equipment following organisational policy and procedures
6. using correct materials, clean re-useable equipment after use, and return it to the agreed place for storage or collection
7. report any faults in equipment following agreed organisational policy and procedures

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004): Dimension: HWB7 Interventions and treatments