Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 60 ICEBAGS PURPOSE: The application of ice bags is in accordance with the physician's Plan of Care to reduce swelling, to relieve pain and to control bleeding . RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL: All staff EQUIPMENT: Ice bag, ice SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Assessment of the area of treatment is necessary for the presence of conditions which might contraindicate the use of ice. Particular attention must also be made to the capacity of the patient or caregiver to recognize when an injury is occurring so that the treatment can be interrupted. Confused, mentally impaired patients should never be left unattended with an ice bag. PROCEDURE: 1. Explain reason for application of the ice bag to the patient and answer any questions. 2. Fill ice bag with cracked ice (1/2 - 1/3 full). 3. Expel air in the bag, close the opening of the bag, dry bag, and cover with clean cover. 4. Examine area to which ice bag is to be applied. Screen patient if necessary. 5. Place ice bag on designated area. 6. Instruct patient or caregiver to check skin at the treatment area, check the ice bag, and check surrounding area every 30 minutes. 7. Change cover if damp. 8. Discontinue treatment if discoloration, blueness or mottling occur. 9. Refill bag with ice as needed (approximately every two hours) DOCUMENTATION: Document the time the procedure was performed, any special conditions of the affected tissues that were noted, and the patient's response to the procedure. Document any teaching that was performed and the patient or caregiver's response to the teaching. ____________________________________________________