--- title: The Supplies Every Small Hospital Nurse Should Always Keep On-Hand description: By keeping certain supplies on hand a nurse at a small hospital can make sure that he or she is prepared to deliver patient care across all shifts. image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Blog/nurse_supplies-1.jpg --- [![dark-header.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hub/212347/file-1107077240.jpg?width=940&name=file-1107077240.jpg "dark-header.jpg")](https://www.sscor.com/) ## **Thank you for visiting the SSCOR Blog.** Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products. Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession. Subscribe. Share your thoughts. Enjoy. -SSCOR Team   # [The Supplies Every Small Hospital Nurse Should Always Keep On-Hand](https://blog.sscor.com/the-supplies-every-small-hospital-nurse-should-always-keep-on-hand) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) Apr 19, 2016 4:30:00 AM 3 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/the-supplies-every-small-hospital-nurse-should-always-keep-on-hand#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/the-supplies-every-small-hospital-nurse-should-always-keep-on-hand#) 0 ![nurse_supplies-1.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/nurse_supplies-1.jpg?width=704&height=470&name=nurse_supplies-1.jpg "nurse_supplies-1.jpg")Nurses working in a [small hospital](https://blog.sscor.com/what-small-hospitals-must-know-when-buying-emergency-suction-machines) often wear many hats. While a large, metropolitan hospital will often have a full staff of physicians, ancillary and support staff on-site around the clock, a small hospital may not have that luxury. This is especially evident during the “off-shifts” of evenings, nights and weekends. **** **** By keeping certain supplies on hand, however, a nurse at a small hospital can make sure that he/she is prepared to deliver patient care across all shifts. Let’s take a look at some of the most important ones.   ## Drug Reference Manual Have a question about a drug interaction? Does a dose of an antibiotic seem too high? Are you unsure what this newly ordered medication does? Medication errors are unfortunately way too common, and at a small hospital, a pharmacist may not be available to answer your questions. Having an up to date drug reference manual will give you the confidence to know that you are properly administering your patient’s medications. Taking those few extra seconds to double check your medications can go a long way to prevent a dangerous outcome.   ## Watch with a Second Hand Taking a patient’s vital signs is one of the first and most basic things you learn in nursing school, yet it serves as the foundation for determining most of your nursing interventions for your patient. When your patient is not on cardiac and respiratory monitors, you will need to assess his heart rate and respiratory rate manually, so having a watch is essential. **** **** Additionally, with a full patient load and many important tasks to accomplish, your watch will help you stay timely in your care.   ## Portable Pulse Oximeter If your patient’s suddenly looks pale or his work of breathing seems to be increasing, being able to slide a pulse ox on his finger and determine his oxygen saturation will provide you will some useful data to help round out his assessment. As a nurse, you know that when you page the doctor on call, you better be prepared to supply the doctor with all the information he needs. Does your patient need to be started on oxygen? Does he need a chest X-ray? Being able to provide a thorough clinical picture will ensure that the doctor is able to order the appropriate tests, procedures and interventions.   ## Portable Suction Machine In a small hospital, you might not have in-wall suction available every bedside. If there is an airway emergency and you are the first one responding, you will need your [portable suction machine](https://www.sscor.com/duet_suction_unit.html) to quickly clear that [airway](https://blog.sscor.com/does-your-hospital-need-an-airway-management-team).   ## Hospital-Issued Cell Phone (or other means of quick communication) With a small staff spread out over a large unit, nurses need to have a way to communicate with others when needed. More and more, even small hospitals are issuing cell phones to their nurses to be used during a shift. These phones can be used in an [emergency](https://blog.sscor.com/what-hospital-emergency-operations-plans-should-say-about-power-loss) to call other staff for assistance, to reach a physician with a question, and may even be linked to the patient’s call system, allowing patients to speak to their nurse quickly. **** **** Working in a small hospital presents its own set of challenges. By prepping themselves with the right supplies, nurses will find that they have the proper tools to manage the increased autonomy and responsibility that comes with their role.   [![emergency_preparedness_professionals_guide_sscor](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/c1a44321-8c1c-4756-b2be-a389d9853f2f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/c1a44321-8c1c-4756-b2be-a389d9853f2f) ![Author Photo](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS2-648378-edited.jpg?width=70&name=SDS2-648378-edited.jpg) ## AboutSam D. Say Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions. Search #### Most Popular Articles ### Post by Topic - [Medical Suction (103)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-suction) - [Airway management (102)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/airway-management) - [Emergency Preparedness (92)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-preparedness) - [Emergency medical suction (73)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-medical-suction) - [Portable suction for hospitals (34)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/portable-suction-for-hospitals) - [EMS suction (27)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/ems-suction) - [Handheld portable suction (26)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/handheld-portable-suction) - [Suction for EMS professionals (24)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/suction-for-ems-professionals) - [Respiratory (19)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/respiratory) - [medical scenarios (17)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-scenarios) - [portable suction (16)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/portable-suction) - [Battery-powered suction (15)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/battery-powered-suction) - [EMS Professionals (15)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/ems-professionals) - [airway obstruction (15)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/airway-obstruction) - [Hospital disaster preparation (14)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/hospital-disaster-preparation) - [respiratory assessment (13)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/respiratory-assessment) - [Intubation (10)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/intubation) - [Pediatric Suction (10)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/pediatric-suction) - [Medical Suction for Dental (9)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-suction-for-dental) - [Tactical trauma kit (7)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/tactical-trauma-kit) - [Crash Cart Supplies (6)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/crash-cart-supplies) - [Trauma (6)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/trauma) - [emt scenarios (6)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emt-scenarios) - [Diseases & Infections (5)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/diseases-infections) - [aspiration pneumonia (5)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/aspiration-pneumonia) - [Aspiration (4)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/aspiration) - [Patient Transport (4)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/patient-transport) - [ambulance safety (4)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/ambulance-safety) - [Anaphylaxis (3)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/anaphylaxis) - [Suction Catheter (3)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/suction-catheter) - [nasotracheal intubation (3)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/nasotracheal-intubation) - [CDC (2)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/cdc) - [Medical Suction for Drowning (2)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-suction-for-drowning) - [Tactical medical bag (1)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/tactical-medical-bag) - [medical devices (1)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-devices) - [rapid sequence intubation (1)](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/rapid-sequence-intubation) [see all](https://blog.sscor.com/the-supplies-every-small-hospital-nurse-should-always-keep-on-hand#) [![subscribe_to_sscor_blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/1209b5e9-2bd5-461c-9673-0f13ab98cab8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/1209b5e9-2bd5-461c-9673-0f13ab98cab8) [![Aspirator_test_kit_sscor_suction](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/09b997f8-6c33-450c-9e98-6ea0f907f383.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/09b997f8-6c33-450c-9e98-6ea0f907f383) [![determining_contents_of_first_in_bag_guide_for_paramedics](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/03d28100-2a96-4c68-93d1-3e06a3b91cad.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/03d28100-2a96-4c68-93d1-3e06a3b91cad) - [![DUET-B-Front-370px](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DUET-B-Front-370px.png "DUET-B-Front-370px")](https://www.sscor.com/duet_suction_unit_retention_bracket_portable_aspirator) - [![Duet Bracket Back with bracket](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DUETBB-back-370px.png "Duet Bracket Back with bracket")](https://www.sscor.com/duet_suction_unit_retention_bracket_portable_aspirator) - [![S-SCORT III Front](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/S-SCORT3-front-370px.png "S-SCORT III Front")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_iii_suction_unit) - [![S-SCORT-III3-control-panel](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/S-SCORT3-control-panel-370px.png "S-SCORT-III3-control-panel")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_iii_suction_unit) - [![VX2-B-font](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/VX2-B-font-370px.png "VX2-B-font")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_vx2_option_portable_ems_suction) - [![VX-2 Bracket Back with Bracket](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/VX2BB-Back-370px.png "VX-2 Bracket Back with Bracket")](https://www.sscor.com/s-scort_vx2_option_portable_ems_suction) - [![Quickdraw Front](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Quickdraw-370px.png "Quickdraw Front")](https://www.sscor.com/quickdraw_portable_suction_unit) - [![DCELL-front-angle](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DCELL-front-angle-370px.png "DCELL-front-angle")](https://www.sscor.com/dcell_suction_hospital_aspirator) - [![DCELL-back](https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/DCELL-back-370px.png "DCELL-back")](https://www.sscor.com/dcell_suction_hospital_aspirator) ### Follow us on social media: ## SSCOR Clearing The Airway Is Our #1 Priority **Company** [SSCOR Website](https://www.sscor.com/index.html) [About Us](https://www.sscor.com/who_are_we.html) [Contact Us](https://www.sscor.com/sales_support.html)   **Resources** [FAQ](https://www.sscor.com/Frequently-Asked-Questions.html) [Technical Support](https://www.sscor.com/technical-product-support.html) **Updates** [Upcoming Events](https://www.sscor.com/upcoming_events.html) *All data and information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. SSCOR, Inc. makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.* Images and content of this blog are © 2023 SSCOR, Inc. All rights reserved.