Emergency Department Patient Safety Walk

Daily inspection template for an emergency department safety walk covering crash carts, triage, resuscitation bays, restraints, documentation, and patient flow.

Crash Carts and Emergency Supplies

• Crash cart present, accessible, and not blocked
  Cart is located in the designated area, reachable without delay, and not obstructed by equipment, furniture, or supplies.
• Crash cart seal or lock intact and documented
  Tamper seal or lock is intact and the recorded seal number matches the log.
• Defibrillator, suction, oxygen, and airway supplies present and ready
  Required emergency response equipment is present, powered, and ready for immediate use.
• Medication and supply expiration dates within acceptable range
  No expired medications or supplies are present in the cart; items due to expire soon are flagged per local policy.
• Crash cart checklist completed and current
  Daily or shift checklist is signed, dated, and reflects the current cart contents and status.

Triage Area Readiness

• Triage station staffed and operational
  A qualified staff member is present or coverage is arranged so triage can proceed without delay.
• Vital signs equipment available and functioning
  Blood pressure cuff, thermometer, pulse oximeter, and other required triage tools are available and functional.
• Triage documentation tools available
  Paper forms, EHR access, labels, and other documentation tools are available for immediate use.
• Privacy maintained during triage
  Triage area supports patient privacy and confidentiality during assessment and registration activities.
• High-acuity patients identified and escalated appropriately
  Process is in place to rapidly identify unstable patients and move them to the appropriate treatment area.

Resuscitation Bays and Critical Care Readiness

• Resuscitation bay clean, stocked, and ready for use
  Bay is free of clutter, stocked with required supplies, and ready for immediate patient arrival.
• Monitoring equipment operational
  Cardiac monitor, pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitoring, and other required devices are powered and functional.
• Emergency oxygen and suction available at bay
  Oxygen and suction are immediately available and connected or ready for use according to local procedure.
• Procedure supplies and PPE available
  Appropriate PPE, IV supplies, airway supplies, and procedure kits are available in the bay or nearby storage.
• Resuscitation bay access unobstructed
  Doors, corridors, and equipment placement allow rapid patient movement and staff access.

Restraints and Patient Safety Practices

• Restraint use follows documented order and policy
  Any restraint use is supported by a current order and aligns with facility policy and patient rights requirements.
• Restraint monitoring documentation complete
  Required monitoring, reassessment, and release documentation is complete and current for restrained patients.
• Restraint supplies available and in good condition
  Approved restraint devices are available, intact, and stored according to policy.
• Least restrictive measures considered and documented
  Documentation reflects use of de-escalation or other least restrictive interventions when applicable.
• Patient safety risks escalated promptly
  Behavioral, fall, elopement, or self-harm risks are communicated and escalated per protocol.

Documentation, Patient Flow, and Environment

• ED tracking board reflects current patient status
  Board or electronic tracker is current for arrivals, room assignments, pending tests, and disposition status.
• Documentation completed for active patients
  Required assessments, orders, and nursing documentation are entered timely for active patients.
• Patient flow bottlenecks identified and escalated
  Delays in room turnover, transport, admission, or discharge are identified and escalated to the appropriate leader.
• Hallways and treatment areas free of unsafe clutter
  Walkways, exits, and care areas are free of trip hazards and unnecessary storage; equipment does not impede egress.
• Required signage and emergency information visible
  Key emergency, safety, and directional signage is visible and not obstructed.