Cluster Care What is cluster care Cluster Care

Cluster Care

What is cluster care? Cluster Care – The term cluster care refers to the act of combining activities in order to minimize visits to the patient’s room and preserve resources.

Case Study Nurse Barb is working with a patient who is on contact/droplet precautions. Prior to going into the patient’s room, Barb considers activities that can be clustered together.

Providing cluster care Considering it’s 830 AM, Barb asks herself the following questions: • What are the assessments which I will need to conduct while in the room? Does the patient need a bladder scan, ECG or blood glucose monitoring? • Will the patient need to be repositioned or have their brief changed? • Are there any other procedures which I can cluster together at this time? E. g. blood work, wound care, medication administration (routine and PRN)? • Has breakfast arrived? Am I able to wait a few moments before entering the room that I can cluster these assessments and procedures with the patient’s meal?

Supplies** - Check and Grab BEFORE you enter Patient’s Room Before going into the room, Barb considers which supplies she will need and collects them. Do I have all the items I need? q A pen q A cup of the water for the patient, q Dressing supplies for wound care q Personal care supplies such as a new gown and brief for the patient [disposable wipes if used on your unit] q Wound/dressing supplies q Blood work supplies q Glucometer/ECG/Bladder scanner [please ensure these are properly wiped with Cavi-wipes before and after use]

Additional Consideration Additional consideration – procedure masks are currently kept in the medication room and/or unit manager’s office. Ensure that you have obtained a procedure mask before going into the patient’s room.