What should a CNA do if they find the electrical plug to a patient's bed crushed and the plastic coated broken?

If a CNA finds that the electrical plug to a patient's bed is crushed and the protective coating is broken, the best action is to find the patient another bed and take the damaged bed out of service following policy. This is crucial for patient safety. A compromised electrical plug presents a risk of electric shock or fire, which could endanger not only the patient using the bed but also others nearby.

Taking the bed out of service ensures that no one else can use it and potentially be harmed until it is properly repaired by qualified personnel. Policies in healthcare settings typically outline that any damaged equipment must be addressed immediately to prevent accidents, reinforcing the importance of swift, safe action.

While repairing the plug or attempting to replace it yourself may seem like a quick fix, these actions can be dangerous and are often against facility policies, which require that only trained professionals handle electrical repairs. Notifying the family members might be showing consideration, but it does not directly address the immediate safety concerns nor comply with operational protocols.