Admission

Admission is a process of receiving a new patient to an individual unit (ward) of the hospital. (Hospitalized individuals have many needs and concerns that must be identified then prioritized and for which action must be taken).

Purpose
• To help a new patient to adjust to hospital environment and routines.
• To alleviate the patient's fear and worry about the hospitalization.
• To facilitate recovery of patient from his/her problems

Nurse's Responsibilities during Admission of a Patient to Hospital
1. Check for orders of admission.
2. Check about financial issue, payment scheme (free or paying)
3. Assess the patient's immediate need and take action to meet them. These needs can be physical (e.g. acute pain) or emotional distress, (upset)
4. Make introduction and orient the patient
• Greet the patient
• Introduce self to the patient and the family
• Explain what will occur during the admission process (admission routines) such as admission bath, put on hospital gowns etc.
• Orient patient to individual unit: Bed, bathroom, call light, supplies and belonging; and how these items work for patient use.
• Orient patient to the entire unit: location of nurses office, lounge etc.
• Explain anything you expect a patient to do in detail. (This helps the patients participate in their care).
• Introduce other staff and roommates.

4. Perform baseline assessment
General assessment
a. Observation and physical examination such as:
• Vital signs; temperature pulse, respiration and blood pressure.
• Intake and output
• Measure the weight of the patient
• Height is measured (if required)
b. Interview patient and take nursing history to determine the patient conditions.

5. Take care of the patient's personal property
• Items that are not needed can be sent home with family members
• Other important items can be kept at bedside or should be put in safe place by cabling with patient's name.

6. Documentation
• Record all parts of the admission process
• Other recording include
⇐ Notification to dietary departments
⇐ Starting kardex card and medication records
⇐ If there is specific form to the facility, complete it.

N.B. Additional measures can be carried out according to the patient problems (diagnoses).