Reflection is an active process that will enable me and other heath care professionals to gain a deeper understanding of any experience with patients. (Johns and Freshwater 2005) I this assignment I will emphasise on the personal aspects

Adult nursing Kamila Blaszkowicz Reflection on communication Introduction Within the context of this essay I will particularly focus on the interprofessional communication. I will discuss the impact on communication. I will reflect on my personal experience from the interprofessional learning module group work periods. To do that I will examine personal thoughts, focusing how my self as an individual interact with group members to obtain better understanding of what their think. (Somerville and Keeling 2004) To this I will use Rolfe et al's reflective model. Reflection is an active process that will enable me and other heath care professionals to gain a deeper understanding of any experience with patients. (Johns and Freshwater 2005) I this assignment I will emphasise on the personal aspects of both verbal and non-verbal communication as this contribute to the quality of nursing care (Hinchiff et al 2003). I will identify the reason that enhance and inhibit effective communication silks within inteprofessional team working. I will also identify the reason that enhances effective communication and team work. What Using the group work on professionalism I will reflect on communication. In that session we were put in small groups of five to discus professionalism. We are all studying different professions. As a group we had to put ideas together to define the

  • Word count: 1725
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Drug Monitoring Program

Drug Monitoring Program Paper 02/23/10 While the war on drugs has seemingly gotten better, there is a certain type of drug that is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of and control. Most people would have never thought that pharmaceutical drugs would be the cause of more deaths in the state of Florida than heroin and cocaine related deaths combined in 2007. Nearly 550 of those death happened in the Tampa Bay area, leading this to becoming one of the biggest drug abuse crisis in quite some time. A drug monitoring program would be such a program that keeps track of the dispensing of pharmaceuticals, mainly controlled substances, that would potentially disable distribution of street drugs, put a halt to "doctor shopping", put doctors that write fake scripts under the radar, hopefully reduce the amount of people that become dependent upon narcotics and diminish the number of people of overdosing on these lethal prescription drugs. A study was conducted by an independent contractor to assess the proficiency of drug monitoring programs. The research showed that in states where a drug program was in place the supply of illegally obtained pharmaceuticals and the likelihood of abuse was significantly reduced. The study also showed that if law enforcement, rather than health oriented officials, were the ones to monitor the information there was a greater chance of

  • Word count: 868
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Fasting patients before surgery is a well-established practice that prevents the aspiration of gastric contents and reduces the risk of regurgitation and vomiting (Jester and Williams, 1999)

Fasting patients before surgery is a well-established practice that prevents the aspiration of gastric contents and reduces the risk of regurgitation and vomiting (Jester and Williams, 1999) A period of fasting is a legal requirement (Hung,1992) However, the actual length of fasting is determined by the health professionals, which is appropriate given their knowledge of the patient. It is widely acknowledged that patients are being excessively fasted before surgery. (Jester and Williams, 1999) but it is still hospital tradition and custom which dictates the decision. (Seymour,2000) Patients are typically fasted from midnight for morning surgery, and from 6am for afternoon surgery, but a blanket "nil by mouth" fast from midnight on the day of surgery is not only an accepted policy in the UK, but is also a worldwide reality. (Methery, 1996, Pandit and Pandit, 1997) In the past, anaesthetists recommended fasting for at least 8 hours (Shevde and Trivedi, 1991) If the length of fast is inadequate, a patient may potentially aspirate their stomach contents into their lungs, leading to aspiration pneumonitis, which ovccurs in 1-6 per 10,000 anaesthetics. (Olsson, 1986) According to Mendelsson, (1946) the risk factors associated with aspiration pneumonitis increases when the patient has a gastric volume above 25ml and a gastric pH lower than 2.5. The ideal fasting time would avoid

  • Word count: 1074
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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The Impact of Policy on Practice-analysis of a critical incident related to interprofessional delivery of health and/or social care (LO3,4) which demonstrates ability to set the situation in context (LOs 1,2) Evidence contained within PPPD

The Impact of Policy on Practice A 3000 word analysis of a critical incident related to interprofessional delivery of health and/or social care (LO3,4) which demonstrates ability to set the situation in context (LOs 1,2) Evidence contained within PPPD, 1000 words equivalent. Assessment of Practice Tool, 1000 words equivalent. Introduction This assignment will analyse a critical incident relating to inter-professional delivery of healthcare, and will draw upon local, national and international perspectives whilst incorporating Political, Economical, Sociocultural, and technological (PEST) factors. A critical incident can be described as an event that creates an emotional impact (Ghaye and Lillyman 1999). Pseudonyms will be used to maintain anonymity and confidentiality in accordance with The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2008) Code of Professional Conduct Guidance on confidentiality and permission has been given by the patient, staff and all participants' involved to discuss the case. . Identify and incident The incident unfolds as follows. Mr Taylor was a 75 year old man who had experienced difficulty urinating for many years. Unbeknown to him it was a common problem for men his age, yet embarrassment and naivety prevented him from consulting a doctor immediately. Eventually, he consulted his GP and was referred to a hospital, where the Urologist gave him a full

  • Word count: 6574
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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diversity right and equality

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate the understanding of the terms Diversity Rights and Equality and how it can be applied to nursing care in British society. This article will ouline why Nurses should have an awareness of patients right ,how Nurses need to be aware of diversity to enhance patient care ,how equality is maintained in nursing care and how nurses can acknoledge rights and equality when meeting the needs of diverse groups. Diversity is each of us and all of us, individually and collectively. Diversity is everything that makes each of us different and those things about all of us that are similar. Diversity is what we can see and what we cannot see in each of us and all of us,at anytime, anywhere. The University of Kansas medical centre (2007). The Department of Health (2004) states valuing diversity within the NHS and determines the importance that health professionals recognize, respect and value difference for the benefit of the organization and its patients. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2002) incorporates the idea of non-judgmental care into its code of professional conduct by maintaining clause 7 of the UKCC Guidelines for Professional Practice (1996, pp25) who instructed "as a registered nurse, midwife or health visitor you are personally accountable for your practice. In the exercise of your professional accountability you must recognize

  • Word count: 1798
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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To identify and focus on a specific risk to a patient. In order to do this effectively, a recognised risk assessment tool will be used and a treatment plan

The purpose of this essay is to identify and focus on a specific risk to a patient. In order to do this effectively, a recognised risk assessment tool will be used and a treatment plan then agreed upon. The efficacy of the assessment tool will be discussed along with the results it provides. Definitions will be offered throughout the assignment to assist the readers understanding of terms such as risk and risk assessment. An introduction to the patient and a brief description of the anatomy and physiology of the patient's condition will also be offered. The assignment will illustrate the use of a recognised nursing model along with the nursing process. Legal and ethical issues will also be discussed. Before discussing any risk assessment tools it is first necessary to provide definitions for terms such as risk, risk assessment and risk factors. The Mosby Nurse's Pocket Dictionary defines the term risk as "a potential hazard" (2003, p303), this hazard could be caused by any number of risk factors. A risk factor could be described as anything, which may cause a person to be more vulnerable to complications (Churchill Livingstone's Dictionary of Nursing, 2002, p384). These could include injury, disease, compromised nutritional status or pressure damage. Harrison (2003) describes risk assessment as "an assessment that can identify those at risk, so that steps can be

  • Word count: 2645
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Restlessness and Agitation.

RESTLESSNESS AND AGITATION Restlessness and agitation are common in people with dementia. Cohen M et al(1986) attempted to define restlessness and agitation as " inappropriate verbal, vocal or motor activity associated by 29 behaviours including general reslessness, constant attention seeking, complaining, negativism, pacing and screaming. In my nursing placement I experienced a case of vascular dementia. The name of patient, the name of the ward and hospital should remain unmentioned in the essay in order to maintain confidentiality. Mr Hastie (not real name) an 80 years old man attracted my attention with his sudden periodic out bursts of anger and restlessness. At the time of these outbursts he used to pace round the ward, shouting abusive language at anyone who stood in his way, whether it was a member of staff or other patients. During these periodic outbursts he used to become very aggressive, show his fist to staff trying to stop him, try to lift any furniture around, i.e. TV, Piano, and Chairs. I was very curious as to why he behaved in the way he did. I observed him for a couple of days. I also read his case note, talked with his carers, which helped me to understand more about his physical and mental state. I found out that he had these sudden outbursts of anger and restlessness, when he was not busy and active. I also found out that his two daughters whom he

  • Word count: 1966
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Discuss the care pathway of an adult patient who has undergone a surgical /acute procedure. Critically examine one aspect of this pathway.

Care pathways aim to assist care delivery, by providing guidance, milestones and expected outcomes over a set time period (Herring, 1999). Throughout this assignment, the care pathway for women undergoing a full abdominal hysterectomy will be discussed. To do this the term hysterectomy will be defined, and some common conditions resulting in the procedure will be identified. As will recent trends relating to hysterectomies in the United Kingdom. Care pathways will then be discussed, in relation to the nurses' role at each stage. The short comings and advantages of using such frameworks will also be identified. In doing this legal and ethical considerations, along with the principals of holistic care in a surgical environment, to meet the needs patients from a diverse society will be addressed. Within this the focus will turn to post operative pain, and the tools used in its assessment. Some common tools used in the assessment of pain will be identified, compared and critically analysed. Hysterectomy refers to the surgical removal of the uterus; this may or may not involve the removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix depending on the nature of the patients condition (Castledine & Close, 2006). This is a major operation and is usually carried out as an elective procedure. The procedure may be carried out abdominally, using a horizontal incision on the lower

  • Word count: 4091
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Reflective essay

Leanne Battersby 7024576 BA Hons Adult Nursing Faculty of Health and Wellbeing Sheffield Hallam University 4th December 2007 Introduction to Study, Practice and the Profession of Nursing Reflective essay Word Count 1,107 ISPPN Reflective Essay In this essay I am going to outline my personal strengths and weakness' both in an academic and clinical setting, using Gibb's reflective model. I will also explain how these skills can be built upon. Nursing is a life long learning process in which you continue your professional development throughout your career. The Department of Health (2003) outlines that Continuing Professional Development is a process of lifelong learning for all individuals which meet the needs of patients and which enables professionals to expand to their full potential. The NMC (2004) sets standards and guidance which enables professionals to demonstrate that they are keeping up to date with developments in professional practice and expanding their knowledge and competence. I am at the beginning of my life long journey. In university I will be developing my basic needs to become a newly qualified nurse; however one way I can gain further understanding is by reflecting upon my experiences. Siviter (2004) describes that reflection is the process in which you look at yourself and your practice objectively. Bolton (2005) argues that it is the way you

  • Word count: 1601
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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The History of Nursing

The History of Nursing Discuss the changes that have occurred in nursing over the last two centuries Nursing through the years has improved dramatically due to factors such as the way women were perceived and social reforming. With the advancement of medical knowledge the nursing profession has grown from strength to strength with society understanding the need to train, educate and establish sanitary standards. All of which we can be grateful to many pioneers throughout the years such as Florence Nightingale and Ethel Bedford-Fenwick. In earlier centuries nursing care was usually provided by volunteers who were untrained or those who possessed little training. During the reign of Henry VIII, nurses were seen to be the 'dregs' of society and nursing was considered an unsuitable occupation for 'proper' women, this was undoubtedly due to the fact that hospitals in those days were dirty pest houses were patients usually died and the people who were ill were seen to have brought it about upon themselves. Although prior to this, nuns and monks nursed the sick in monasteries until their king abolished all of the caring institutions. (Encarta Encyclopedia, http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557139_1_5/Nursing.html#s5 accessed 09 October 2004) Modern nursing improved throughout the nineteenth century, one major development being brought about by pioneer Florence

  • Word count: 1873
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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