Patient Belongings Inventory Audit

Inspection template for documenting patient belongings and valuables at admission and during transfers, including verification, secure storage, and witness signatures.

Inspection Scope and Patient Identification

• Inspection event type selected
• Patient identity verified against wristband and chart
  Confirm the patient name and medical record number match the wristband and current chart before inventorying belongings.
• Belongings inventory initiated at point of care
  Inventory was started at the bedside or receiving location before items were moved or stored.
• Two-person verification completed
  A second staff member or witness verified the count and description of valuables where required by facility policy.
• Patient or authorized representative present for verification
  Document whether the patient, guardian, or authorized representative participated in confirming the inventory when feasible.

Belongings and Valuables Inventory

• Clothing inventoried and described
  Record clothing items such as shirt, pants, shoes, coat, undergarments, or other garments with quantity and notable condition.
• Personal effects inventoried
  Document non-valuable personal items such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, phone, charger, toiletries, documents, or assistive devices.
• Cash and negotiable items documented
  Record cash, checks, debit cards, credit cards, gift cards, or other negotiable items using masked details only.
• Jewelry and high-value items documented
  Record jewelry, watches, wallets, keys, or other high-value items with identifying details sufficient for reconciliation.
• Medication or medical device belongings identified
  Document any patient-owned medications, inhalers, insulin supplies, mobility aids, or medical devices that arrived with the patient.
• Item count reconciled to inventory list
  Confirm the total count of inventoried items matches the recorded list and any prior transfer documentation.

Secure Storage and Chain of Custody

• Valuables placed in approved secure storage
  Confirm valuables were placed in a locked cabinet, secure envelope, safe, or other approved storage location per facility policy.
• Storage location documented
  Record the exact storage location, locker number, safe number, or property bag identifier.
• Property bag or seal number recorded
  If items were sealed, document the bag, envelope, or tamper-evident seal number for traceability.
• Chain-of-custody handoff documented
  Record who received, transported, or stored the belongings and the date/time of each handoff.
• Access restricted to authorized staff only
  Confirm the belongings were not left unattended and access is limited to authorized personnel per policy.

Transfer and Discrepancy Review

• Transfer inventory compared with prior record
  Verify belongings against the previous admission or unit inventory before transfer or discharge.
• Missing, damaged, or excess items documented
  Record any discrepancy, including missing items, damaged property, or items present that were not on the prior list.
• Patient notified of discrepancy
  Confirm the patient or authorized representative was informed of any discrepancy and the notification was documented.
• Security or supervisor notified when required
  Document escalation to security, supervisor, or patient relations for unresolved valuables discrepancies per facility policy.

Witness Signatures and Completion

• Inspector signature captured
• Witness signature captured
  Capture a witness signature when required by policy or when valuables were inventoried, transferred, or sealed.
• Patient or representative acknowledgment captured
  If applicable, capture acknowledgment that the inventory was reviewed and belongings were received, stored, or transferred.
• Inspection completed date and time recorded
• Final disposition documented
  Document whether belongings remained in storage, were sent with the patient, were released to a representative, or were transferred to another unit.