Reflective Account Hnc Healthcare

Reflective Account 4

Description

I am currently on placement within an acute setting of a general hospital. The ward in which I am a student is a haematology ward which is defined as 'the branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs'.(World net web, 2013)
Within the ward patients can receive a wide range of treatments such as chemotherapy, bone marrows, platelets and all blood related disorder medicine.
Throughout my time in the ward I have been exposed to a wide range of activities in which I have assisted other health care assistants in doing.
I was asked by a staff nurse within the ward to assisted a HCA in giving a man a bed bath as he has become weak from receiving platelets and iv antibiotics to which he had a reaction too.
'Platelets are irregularly-shaped, colourless bodies that are present in blood. Their sticky surface lets them, along with other substances, form clots to stop bleeding'. (The Franklin Institute 1996).
The gentleman which I will refer to as Mr Brown. A name in which is fictional to safeguard the confidentiality of the resident.
'You must respect people's right to confidentiality' (NMC 2012)
In addition to this it complies with the data protection act 1989.
Before I begin the task at hand I gather three large towel from the designated laundry cupboard, put on my apron and gloves which adhere to PPE regulations.(mentor 2013).
I ask Mr Brown if he has personal toiletries he would like me to use, which he does so I gather from his personal cupboard.
I explain to Mr Brown who I am and that I will assist the HCA in washing him today would that be ok with him. He agrees, allowing me to begin the rest of the task associated with bed bathing a patient.

Action

I begin to gather all the equipment I need to begin the bed bath. I retrieve his personal basin which sits behind his cupboard I run the water until it is of a Luke warm temperature, I squeeze in his personal body wash and flannel.
Returning back to the bed side I ask Mr Brown if he is capable of washing his own face and hand to which he answers yes. I then soak his flannel with soap and warm water and hand it to Mr Brown who washes his own face, neck hands and front torso. I re enter the cloth into the basin and ask Mr Brown if new would like me to wash his back and arms for him, which he answers yes too.
I lather his back in circular motions gentle not to cause friction or any kind, I then continue to his arms being highly cautious of his cannula as it has been newly places on his inner arm earlier that day. I dry Mr Brown with the towel provided. After both arms and back are clean the HCA and myself explain Mr Browns legs and bottom half will now be cleaned.
Placing towels under Mr Brown to protect the bedding I begin to wash Mr Browns right leg as the HCA washes the left at the same time. Reaching the top of Mr Browns legs I ask Mr Brown if he would like to wash his own private area which I would like to do but asks that he be washed from behind by us. I continue to dry his legs with the towels. I give him thick through away hospital disposable wipes which have been soaked in his personal soap to wash himself. Once he is was finished I handed him a towel to dry himself before covering him back over.
We explained the back of him would be washed next and to which side would he like to turn to which he chose the left as his right side was vulnerable to pressure.
He rolled over onto his side without assistance. Once over the HCA continued to wash his buttocks and legs and dry him.
After the bed bath we put on a hospital gown as his personal belongings where not clean.
At the end of the task I gathered the wet towel placed them in a clean bag which is a ward regulation. (Mentor 2013). I also placed the disposable wipes in the bin, his own basin away, his personal belongings back into his cupboard.
I thoroughly washed my hands, put gloves and apron in the bin and re made the bed to make the room as tidy and clean as possible.

Evaluation

I feel the role I played was an important one to promote personal hygiene which is an important activity of daily living. The patient was more than happy for me to help him out with the areas which couldn't quite reach.

A change a wish I had made is that I had made myself aware of the wards policy of intimate care as I was only told verbally by the HCA.

Analysis

2.2 (a) contributing to measures to ensure the privacy and dignity of the individual patient/client.

3.2 (a) identifying care needs based on the assessment of an individual patient/client.

(c) informing individual patient/clients about intended actions respecting their right to participate in decisions about their care.

3.4 (a) maintaining dignity

(b) privacy and confidentiality

(e) safety and health, including moving and handling and infection control; essential first aid and emergency procedures

(g) emotional, physical and personal care including meeting the need for comfort, nutrition and personal hygiene

Conclusion

I feel this was a task well done and that my confidence grew with every minute being involved. I knew the importance of this personal hygiene activity and performed it to the best of my ability