To provide the best possible care, HCPs need to be equipped with the right tools. There is only so much you can do with just your hands, after all.
Certain items are irreplaceable, if you want to effectively carry out your tasks. To prepare you for the rigors of hospital labor, we have listed 5 irreplaceable items that an HCP must have, to thrive and succeed.
Compression Socks
HCP labor is demanding on your lower body. Healthcare workers are on their feet for the majority of their shift. Oftentimes, they will also be asked to carry and transfer patients or heavy hospital equipment. All this can add up and lead to sore feet, tired legs, and/or lower back strains.
Compression socks ease some of the pain by promoting healthy blood circulation in your legs. This is opposed to regular tight socks, which can constrict the blood flow on your feet. That being said, HCPs dealing with peripheral vascular diseases in their legs, ankles, or feet should steer clear. Be sure they fit you just right, or else it will cut your blood circulation.
Nursing Shoes
A good pair of shoes can ease the burden on your feet, as well. If you are standing for the majority of your working time, you want to make sure that your shoes are providing your feet with ample comfort, support, and stability. Proper support, in particular, can ease the pain and discomfort across your entire lower body. Recently, clogs and other slip-on shoes have gained prominence, as a classic blend of convenience and practicality.
Many HCPs will also opt for running shoes, since their cushioned soles and arches are already designed to support feet in high pressure situations. Consider looking for slip-resistant shoes as well, since trips and falls make up 26% of all injuries in nursing care facilities. You want to alternate between different pairs of shoes, every work day, to avoid quicker wear and tear.
Stethoscope
Stethoscopes are an irreplaceable part of an HCPs toolkit. They let you monitor a patient’s organs and vital signs. HCPs can listen to a patient’s heartbeat to check for cardiac complications, or their lungs to look for signs of pneumonia, asthma and more. Stethoscopes also allow you to check on someone’s blood pressure.
As best as you can, try not to go too cheap on your stethoscope. You want one made of durable materials like non latex rubber and stainless steel. Acoustics is also an important consideration, since you want to hear a patient’s vital signs as clearly as possible. Finally, you want to make sure they are easy to clean and comfortable to use. Ultimately, it is all up to preference.
Medical scissors
An HCP slices open through lots of material, whether to cut up bandages to dress wounds or access parts of the body that require treatment, an HCP slices through a lot of material within a shift. From skin tissue, to gauze, to bandages, medical scissors allow you to cut through anything you need. These implements are versatile and specifically designed for hospital work. As opposed to regular scissors, the blade is angled and serrated to enable fast, safe cutting.
These all-in-one scissors are so convenient and useful, that you may end up owning more than one pair. Some HCPs even save one for personal use, at home.
Medical scrubs
A good set of scrubs is more than just a fashion statement. Scrubs are easier to wash compared to regular clothes and possess a more free range of motion. They are also professional-looking, and let you be instantly-identifiable as an HCP. A good pair of scrubs lets you stay comfortable at work, while keeping a stylish yet professional look.
Try to find scrubs made of light and breathable material, like cotton, polyester, and rayon. Fit, durability, stain resistance, and how they should be cleaned are also important considerations.
