1 Pen
Kind of obvious. I don't buy pens anymore because I always lose them. The best pens are the free ones.
2. Report Sheet AKA The Brain.
Because It's really difficult to remember more than 6 patients and all their settings.
3. Scissors
The ones with the smooth edges are better than the sharp OR scissors. I have stabbed myself in the butt while sitting down. Never again. Scissors are just so useful. Where I work not all of the patients rooms have scissors stocked in their carts.
4. Pen Light
I work night shift. It's essential to use a pen light to check ETT tube placements, meds, flow meter settings and etc. without turning on all the lights in the room. I see some coworkers have used their phones to look for things in the dark. It just doesn't look as professional / bad ass as a pen light.
5. Sharpie Marker
Labeling drugs and stuff that needs to be replaced.
Labeling drugs and stuff that needs to be replaced.
Other stuff that I carry on my body:
Stethoscope
You're not a respiratory therapist without one.
Watch
Because half the clocks at the hospital need new batteries or are set to the wrong time.
Other stuff I would like to carry but I don't have space and I'm not going to wear a fanny pack:
22mm adapter
It's a fact: 22mm adapter > 18mm adapter
ETT tape
I always have trouble finding good tape. I can't stuff it in my Pocket because it always collects lint and then it looks gross.
Adhesive remover
Because it's mean to rip tape off a kids face without it.
Clamp
Clamps help me break adapters apart when our equipment gets crusted with salt.
This post first appeared on Sometimes I Breathe: Respiratory Therapy, please read the originial post: here
