Transcript The Examination Room

The Medical Assistant’s Role in
Preparing the Examination Room

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Maintain neatness and cleanliness of the
room.
Ensure that all supplies and equipment needed
are present for the physician’s use.
Make certain that potential safety hazards are
eliminated.
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The Medical Assistant’s Role in
Preparing the Examination Room (cont.)
The Examination Room
The area where the physician:
• Observes the patient
• Listens to patient symptoms
• Performs a general physical
examination
Number and Size of Rooms
• Depends on the number of physicians in the medical practice
• Average size room is 8 X 12 ft.
• Rooms should be large enough for patient, physician and
medical assistant yet small enough to have supplies within 2
reach.
Furnishings
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Should be arranged for:
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Efficiency
Patient Comfort
Physician Convenience
Common Items Found In Examination Rooms
• One or more chairs
• A rolling stool
• Weight scale
• Biohazard container
• Puncture proof containers
• Wall brackets
• High intensity lamp
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Special Features

The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
requires that ‘reasonable accommodations” be made
for the disabled.
Doorway must be
at least 36 inches
wide.
ADA
Accessibility
Guidelines
Door closers adjusted to
allow entry and exit time.
Grab bars must be
present in
lavatories.
Must have door
opening hardware
that can be grasped.
Space in rooms and
hallways must be at least 60
inches wide.
Slip-resistant floor.
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Cleanliness in the
Examination Room
Infection Control
Remember to:
• Keep examining
table clean
• Make hand
washing a
priority
• Disinfect all
work surfaces
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•
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Wash Hands:
At the beginning of the day
Before and after contact each patient
Before and after using gloves
Before and after eating
After coughing or blowing your nose
Before handling clean or sterile
equipment
Before leaving for the day
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Cleanliness in the
Examination Room (cont.)

Examining Table
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Always change the disposable paper that covers
the examination table after each use.
Dispose of paper coverings soiled by body fluids
in a biohazardous waste container.
Also place soiled linens and pillowcases in
biohazard-labeled bags.
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Cleanliness in the
Examination Room (cont.)
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Surfaces
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Disinfect work surfaces such as the:
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Sink & Countertops
Wastebaskets
Examination Table
Toilets
Storage
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Store biohazardous specimens properly.
Store “testing kits” according to protocol.
Many test kits require refrigeration.
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Cleanliness in the
Examination Room (cont.)
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Putting the Room in Order
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A neatly arranged room boosts patient confidence
of medical personnel efficiency and abilities.
Housekeeping
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Many medical facilities usually contract with
janitorial services for after-hours cleaning.
The medical assistant may perform chores such as
dusting surfaces since dust harbors bacteria and
allergens.
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Apply Your Knowledge
A medical assistant at a busy Pediatrician Office notices a foul
odor in two of the patient examination rooms. After careful
inspection, the medical assistant finds soiled diapers in the
biohazardous containers of both rooms. How would you
handle this situation?
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Apply Your Knowledge - Answer
A medical assistant at a busy pediatrician office notices a foul
odor in two of the patient examination rooms. After careful
inspection, the medical assistant finds soiled diapers in the
biohazardous containers of both rooms. How would you
handle this situation?
The first priority is to remove the source of odor, then to
decontaminate the area. It may also help to designate a separate
location in the office for soiled diapers so that parents will know
how to dispose of them. Many pediatrician offices have a system
in place to prevent such odors in treatment room areas.
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Room Temperature, Lighting,
and Ventilation
Lighting is needed
to prevent accidents
and to make
accurate diagnoses.
Be sure the
examination room is
warm enough (72°F).
Ensure that the
room smells
clean and fresh.
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Medical Instruments and Supplies
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To maintain instruments and supplies the
medical assistant must:
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Order and stock all needed supplies.
Sanitize, disinfect, and/or sterilize instruments
as needed.
See that all instruments and supplies are
placed within easy reach for the physician.
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Medical Instruments
and Supplies (cont.)
Instrument
Purpose
Anoscope
Used to open the anus for examination
Examination
Light
Laryngeal Mirror
Provides additional lighting
Nasal Speculum
Used to enlarge the opening of the nose
Ophthalmoscope
Used to examine the inner eye surfaces 13
Reflects inside of mouth and throat
Medical Instruments
and Supplies (cont.)
Instrument
Purpose
Otoscope
Used to examine the inner ear
Penlight
Small flashlight used to view a small
area
Reflex Hammer
Used to check patient’s reflexes
Sphygmomanometer Used to measure blood pressure
Stethoscope
Used to listen to body sounds
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Medical Instruments
and Supplies (cont.)
Instrument
Purpose
Tape Measure
Used to measure size or development
of an area
Thermometer
Used to measure body temperature
Tuning Fork
Tests patients’ hearing
Vaginal Speculum
Used to enlarge the vagina for
specimens from cervix and vagina
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Medical Instruments and Supplies
(cont.)
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Inspecting and Maintaining Instruments
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Be sure instruments are in good working order
Arranging Instruments
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Keep instruments in same location, either:
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Preparing Instruments
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Mounted on wall
Out on countertop
Set on a clean towel or tray
Some instruments require warming
Cleaning Instruments
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Place used instruments in a container and always
handle carefully
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Medical Instruments and Supplies
(cont.)
Curettes Cervical Scraper Cotton balls
Disposable Needles
Disposable syringes
Cotton-tipped applicators Glass slides
Sterile and clean gloves Paper tissues
Specimen containers Gauze, dressings, and bandages
Occult blood test slides Tongue depressors
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Medical Instruments and Supplies
(cont.)
Consumable Supplies
• Supplies that can be
used up
Storing Supplies
• Be sure to keep needles,
medications, and
prescription pads locked
up and out of patient
reach
Restocking Supplies
A good rule is to reorder
when the first half of a
box, tube, or bottle has
been used.
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Apply Your Knowledge
A medical assistant is preparing the treatment room for a local
ENT Specialist. Which of the following instruments might be
used in this office to assess patient ear, nose, and throat
functioning?
sphygmomanometer
stethoscope
penlight
nasal speculum
laryngeal mirror
tuning fork
reflex hammer
ophthalmoscope
anoscope
otoscope
tape measure
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Apply Your Knowledge - Answer
A medical assistant is preparing the treatment room for a local
ENT Specialist. Which of the following instruments might be
used in this office to assess patient ear, nose, and throat
functioning?
stethoscope
*penlight
penlight
*nasal
nasal speculum
speculum
*laryngeal
mirror
laryngeal mirror
*tuning
tuning fork
reflex hammer
*ophthalmoscope
ophthalmoscope
anoscope
otoscope
*otoscope
tape measure
sphygmomanometer
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Physical Safety in the
Examination Room

Keeping the examination room free of hazards
is a vital part of a risk management plan.
Keep the following areas of the examination room free
from potential hazards:
 Floor
 Cabinets and Drawers
 Furniture
 Cords and Cables
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Special Safety Precautions
Children
• Keep medication and dangerous items
out of reach
• Toys should be washable and safe
• Be sure toys do not have any sharp
surfaces
Patients with
Physical
Disabilities
Safe flooring and handrails
help prevent falls in the
reception area, bathroom,
hallways, and the
examination room.
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Fire Safety
Fire Prevention
• Be sure to store and dispose
hazardous substances.
• Post “No Smoking” signs in
office areas.
In Case of Fire
• Have a safe evacuation route.
• Locate area fire extinguishers
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Apply Your Knowledge
The medical assistant has received the recently ordered
office cleaning supplies. When unpacking the cleaning
solutions for storage, it is apparent that two new
disinfectant solutions are present that the medical
assistant is unfamiliar with. How should the medical
assistant handle this?
A. Store the solutions with the other cleaning solutions in
usual cabinet.
B. Lock the new solution up in a separate cabinet.
C. Read the label carefully, and check the MSDS
information before storing the liquids.
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Apply Your Knowledge - Answer
The medical assistant has received the recently ordered
office cleaning supplies. When unpacking the cleaning
solutions for storage, it is apparent that two new
disinfectant solutions are present that the medical
assistant is unfamiliar with. How should the medical
assistant handle this?
A. Store the solutions with the other cleaning solutions in
usual cabinet.
B. Lock the new solution up in a separate cabinet.
C. Read the label carefully, and check the MSDS
information before storing the liquids.
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End of Chapter
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