Page 200 - ASOP ROT Study Guide

8. RECORDKEEPING

8.1 Cast Register

All plaster rooms must keep written records of all procedures carried out. This usually takes the
form of a ledger (cast register) which must record the following:

♦ Patient name, address and telephone number
♦ Type of cast applied
♦ Date of application
♦ Name of technician or other person applying the cast
♦ Comments of any particular relevance

8.2 Other Records

♦ Requests for procedures should be made in writing - preferably in a form to be stored in the
patient's notes.
♦ A record of any complications should be kept.
♦ Proper inventories of equipment and materials should be constantly updated.

9. LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TO PATIENTS

♦ All information given to plaster room staff by doctors and patients is confidential.
♦ Patients, however famous, must not be discussed outside the confines of the plaster room.
♦ Requests for casting should be reasonable and technicians should feel free to query requests
which seem inappropriate, without any prejudice.
♦ Plaster room staff are responsible for the safety of patients within their care whilst in the

plaster room.
♦ Together with supervisory medical staff, a policy of communication between doctor, patient

and plaster room staff must be established and procedures defined in writing.
♦ All accidents to patients and staff must be recorded according to the hospital's policy. An

accident form should be completed. A good record is a better defense than no record,
whoever seems to be to blame. Attempts to hide misadventures are always viewed with
great suspicion by the law.
♦ Male workers should never fmd themselves alone with female patients, particularly if the
patient is in a state of undress. A female chaperon must always be used.