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Providing constructive feedback to a 3rd year student nurse on using aseptic technique in wound dressing (in surgical ward)
Providing constructive feedback to a 3rd year student nurse on using aseptic technique in wound dressing (in surgical ward)
Constructive feedback ensures individuals become more competent professionals. This work looks at the process of using aseptic technique to dress a wound. It begins with a detailed description of the technique, right from preparing the patient to disposal of waste. It discusses the concept of mentorship and its relationship with constructive feedback. This looks at the six attributes of mentorship, that is, teaching-learning process, reciprocal role, and therole of mentorship in career development, duration of time for mentorship, the resonating phenomenon and the differential competence between participants(Grossman, 2013 p.38). Discussed in this work, is an analysis of performance of the activity that consists of feedback from both the mentor and protégé. The work culminates with a brief discussion of the changes and recommendations that can make this a better practice, for example a support group for mentors.
Dressing an aseptic wound requires one to observe the highest level of care and hygiene(Kilgallon, 2012 p.159). I am careful to maintain asepsis, expose the wound for the minimum time and use an efficient dressing procedure. After cleaning the necessary surfaces that I will use, I inspect the equipment to ensure the dressing pack is intact. I arrange then arrange the contents of the pack on the surface then loosen the dressing of the patient by adjusting the bedclothes so as to expose the wound. I then dry my hands completely and use a waste bag to remove the soiled dressing. I examine the wound to determine the amount of exudate. I then put on my gloves carefully. II use a gauze swab dipped in cleaning solution to clean around the wound. In case the wound needs cleaning, I irrigate it using a syringe with a solution and a gauze swab. I allow the solution to flow into the wound while collecting it with the gauze below the wound. I then peel off the backing paper and apply the new dressing.
The concept of mentorship in nursing first appeared in the 1970’s. It first requires consent from both the mentor and protégé. It has the attribute of a teaching-learning process (Grossman, 2013 p.38). This is where the mentor first shows the protégé what to do as he or she observes. It entails giving of instructions and pointers on important things to note. This gives the mentor a chance to teach, and the protégé a chance to learn. Mentorship includes a reciprocal role, where the protégé not only gathers information but also participates. This is either by trying out what he or she learns or by seeking clarifications and giving ideas. The enthusiasm of both individuals makes mentorship interesting and energetic. The law of reciprocity facilitates effective mentorship in nursing. Mentorship also plays an important role in career development. This is especially in the benefit of the protégé who yearns to further his or career. The mentor also feels the challenge to grow and expand his knowledge to benefit himself and his protégé. Grossman also explains that mentorship includes a difference in competence between participants (2013 p.39). The mentor usually has more knowledge and is more competent than the mentee. Mentorship usually takes several years. In nursing, mentorship takes an average of two and a half years. This allows protégé nurse to develop a feel for the job. It also manifests a resonating phenomenon, where nurses who received mentorship will mentor others as a show of gratitude. The end result is a professional network of very competent nurses. This attributes of mentorship make it possible to give constructive feedback. The mentor gives feedback to the protégé who is able to learn and make necessary adjustments. The protégé also gives feedback to the mentor and allows the mentor to become better at mentorship. Constructive feedback is the backbone of mentorship because it ensures evaluation and development in the nursing profession. It helps and supports learning. It is given during the event. It also allows for adequate time to listen and ensures objectivity. Mentorship in nursing provides an opportunity to transform medical care. This is because nurses learn from the best and therefore become the best (Aston, 2011p.13).
The activity was interesting because the nurse was eager to learn. She was very attentive and listened carefully. I introduced her to the preparation process. This involved drawing screens around the bed to ensure adequate lighting. I explained the process to the patient so that he could give informed consent. The nurse was keen to note the calm tone I used with the patient to help him relax and be comfortable. I asked the nurse to help me in ensuring the patient was comfortable by gently adjusting his position. She was able to do though she was somewhat hesitant. I could see that she was afraid of causing the patient any discomfort. This was good so I encouraged her. I demonstrated the activity slowly and carefully, making sure she sees everything.
She performed the activity well but lacked confidence. This made the patient unsettled because he had doubts whether she was competent enough to complete the dressing. She was constantly shaking and seemed unsure of herself. There were times she would forget to decontaminate her hands but I kept reminding her. I realized that she was trying too hard to perform the activity perfectly. She did perform the activity accurately, despite the challenges.
This was a good experience for her because she was able to conduct a self-assessment. She also pointed out the issue of lack of confidence and we agreed that she needed to perform more of these activities so as to build her confidence. She also needed to take time to master the dressing process to be able to do it better next time. I learnt that I need to slow down my pace when explaining what I am doing because I talk too fast. This was good because the aim of the activity is to help the nurse learn as much as possible. I also discovered that I need to mentor the nurse and supervise her when it comes to disposal of waste and asking the patent comfortable after the procedure. Generally, the activity was a success and I am certain this mentorship will help us both grow into better professionals.
For the best practice in using the aseptic technique in wound dressing, it is important to be confident. This makes the patient feel safe and thus become comfortable. It ensures the procedure takes the least time possible. In a surgical ward, the greatest risk to the health of the patient involves infection. It is important to follow all hygienic procedures when dressing a wound. This is because many nurses tend to assume that the first decontamination when preparing for the procedure is enough. In medical facilities that lack antibacterial detergents, it is effective to wash hands using soap and water. There is need to emphasis this especially when using the aseptic technique. For best practices, it is important to include and allocate adequate time for constructive feedback. This rarely happens because mentors have little time to spare. Time for constructive feedback should ensure that both the mentor and protégé give their feedback. In most instances, the mentor gives feedback and clarifies questions but rarely allows the protégé to give feedback. This is essentially driven by the fact that the mentor is more competent than the protégé. I would also recommend a support system for mentors. This would be a place where they can share their ideas, experiences and challenges. It would be a very effective avenue for giving feedback to mentors especially from their peers.
Bibliography
Aston, L., &Hallam, P. (2011).Successful mentoring in nursing. Exeter [U.K.], Learning Matters.
Grossman, S. (2013).Mentoring in nursing: a dynamic and collaborative process.New York, NY, Springer Pub.Co.
Kilgallon, K., & Thompson, J. (2012).Mentoring in nursing and healthcare a practical approach.Chichester, West Sussex, UK, John Wiley & Sons.
Scott, I., & Spouse, J. (2013).Practice based learning in nursing, health and social care mentorship, facilitation and supervision. Chichester, West Sussex, Wiley-Blackwell.
West, S., Clark, T., & Jasper, M. (2007).Enabling learning in nursing and midwifery practice a guide for mentors. Chichester, England, John Wiley & Sons.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=536665.
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http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=437502.http://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/openup/chapters/9780335237210.pdfhttp://www.health.qld.gov.au/chrisp/resources/aseptic_technique.aspByrne, M. W. and Keefe, M. R. (2002), Building Research Competence in Nursing Through Mentoring. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 34: 391–396. doi: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2002.00391.x
Marie Block, L., Claffey, C., Korow, M. K. and McCaffrey, R. (2005), The Value of Mentorship Within Nursing Organizations. Nursing Forum, 40: 134–140.
Davidhizar, R. E. (1988), Mentoring in doctoral education. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 13: 775–781.
Andrews, M. and Wallis, M. (1999), Mentorship in nursing: a literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 29: 201–207.
HealthCare.gov How political fear was pitted against technical needs
American Politics
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HealthCare.gov: How political fear was pitted against technical needs
Healthcare is one of the basic needs that must be satisfied. The American constitution entitles Americans to quality and affordable health and medical care. However, many Americans are not in a position to fully and sufficiently finance their medical and healthcare needs. Given the income inequality among the Americans, it is common to realize that a good number of Americans with lower income are often faced with financial challenges that limit their financial power to afford quality health and medical care. The creation of affordable medical and healthcare programs has been marred by political debates and campaign over decades in the American political history (Dye, & Schubert, 2011). It was news that the 2008 presidential elections and campaigns pitting Barack Obama and John McCain featured the creation of affordable healthcare programs for low income Americans who cannot meet their medical needs. The two different camps had different healthcare policies that would be essential in improving the provision of healthcare services to the Americans independent of their ability to pay. This marked the beginning of the affordable healthcare debate that was met by different reactions and opinions in the U.S.
The Obama’s campaign strategy focused on the middle and low income American particularly improving the quality of life for these groups who for a long-time had been marginalized. This proposed healthcare program was heavily criticized by the Republicans based on the idea that such healthcare program would even be more burdensome to the Americans that the then healthcare insurance policies. From the Republic’s point of view, the Obama’s healthcare policies would be costly to the tax payers especially the high class Americans who contributes a large proportion of the tax. The Democrats on their defense for the proposed healthcare program asserted that making healthcare more affordable to majority of the American through Medicare and Medicaid was a fundamental economic program that would result into general increased economic productivity of U.S at large (Dye, & Schubert, 2011).
After Obama had worn the presidential elections of 2008, the presidents went ahead to implement one of his campaign policies that earned him votes among the low and medium class Americans. The affordable healthcare programs and policies as promised during the presidential campaigns were aimed at reducing the medical burden on Americans, thereby improving the quality of life and healthcare provision. Through this medical policy, the White House passed the bill under the umbrella ‘Obamacare’. This medical and healthcare program was implemented in the American economy and had resulted into a significant improvement in the quality of healthcare for Americans in general with the low and middle class Americans being the main beneficiaries of the program (Dye, & Schubert, 2011). The program advocated for the creation of state subsidized public health insurance policies that brought together health providers and the health insurance firms. As expected, this policy was criticized both from the economic and political front. Politically, the Republicans were opposed to the program on the ground that it would be more costly to the upper class Americans who would dig deeper into their pocket through tax to finance the tax burden associated with the Obamacare, hence creating inequality (Dye, & Schubert, 2011).
Economically, Obamacare faced resistance from a section of economist who argued that increasing the funding on health and medical care particularly among the lower class would result into uncaring health behavior. For this reason, it would even be more costly to the federal government that old healthcare policy that was more individualized healthcare plan. On the other hand, differences emerged on the leadership of the Obamacare. Economists were opposed to the idea that the scheme be headed by Nancy-Ann DeParle who legislated for its implementation and approval in the congress house. Instead, they proposed that the scheme be led by non-political partisans with no political interest in the issue except to economic interest of the welfare. However, the President had already settled his mind on Nancy-Ann DeParle to be the front runner in the implementation of the Obamacare.
Kerry’s Cairo visit underlines differences between U.S., Egypt
Following the July, 2013 coup that led to the military takeover in Egypt and the forceful removal of democratically elected president Mohamed Morsi from power, the U.S government withdrew its financial and military aid to Egypt. The July 3 military coup was met with unrests and springs along the streets by the popular Arab and Muslim Brotherhood Movement. In response, the military begun a bloody dispersal of the rebelling Muslim brothers, a move that left more than 1000 civilians dead. It was after this uncalled for killing of the civilians that President Obama criticized the military crackdown in Egypt, a move that angered top Egyptians government officials. In response, the recent actions in Egypt resulted into the weakening of the long-standing decades of diplomatic and military cordial relationship between the U.S and Egypt (Dye, 2001). The U.S government was forced to cut its financial and military aid to Egypt. This marked a new beginning in the democratic relationship between these two countries that for decades have enjoyed good and positive relationship. The withdrawal of the billions of financial support to the Egyptian military forced the military-backed Egyptian government to rethink their position on human rights and democratic space. The rift further widened with as President Obama and his governments opted to cut the links with the Egyptian government including trade and economic ties. This harshly impacted on the economy of Egypt.
However, after months of political and economic crisis, the situation in Egypt has significantly improved with the country undergoing political changes. The Muslim Brothers spring and unrest on the streets calming down to give the military backed government an opportunity to restore peace in the economy. It U.S government, through the Secretary of States, Kerry made a brief visit to the Egyptian Capital in order to restore the once weakened diplomatic ties with Egypt. His visit came at the time when the ousted president was to face a trial in court. John Kerry’s visit to Egypt was significant in derailing Morsi’s planned trial. Following his visit, the U.S and Egypt re-established their diplomatic relationship, a move that would be important in the restoration of permanent solution to the problem and will further improved the economic performance of Egypt given the fact that the economic and trade suctions would be lifted.
References
Dye, T. R. (2001). Politics in America. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall.
Dye, T. R., & Schubert, L. (2011). The Irony of Democracy: An Uncommon Introduction to American Politics. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth.
The Great Depression. Franklin D Roosevelt and William Lloyd Garrison
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The Great Depression: Franklin D. Roosevelt and William Lloyd Garrison Jr.
Roosevelt realized that rebuilding the peoples’ confidence in the abilities of their leader, as well as themselves, would be essential in the important task ahead. The United States was suffering from the severe effects of the Great Depression, and his new position put him in a precarious position. Reminding the people of the devastating effects of fear was the first tactic he employed in this endeavor. In addition, he reinstated the peoples’ confidence in themselves and his leadership by reminding them of the need for both parties to cooperate. In addition to bolstering their confidence, he reiterates the need to address the depression as a common enemy – as a country would a foreign foe. After the First World War, feelings of patriotism and national unity were embellished in many people. Roosevelt’s comparison of the Great Depression to a foreign enemy served to reinforce the peoples’ confidence in their ability to recover from its effects.
In his new capacity as president, Franklin D. Roosevelt identified the main problems facing his people under the depression very early and declared them as his lines of attack. According to Roosevelt, the first major problem facing the United States citizenry is unemployment. Too many people had shifted their attention to industrial sources of work and lost their jobs when these firms shutdown due to the depression. The United States relied heavily on agriculture which also fueled the devastation as primary resources that fueled not only the failing industrial sector, but the population were not produced in adequate quantities. A lack of efficient monitoring frameworks in the financial and banking sector also contributed to the continued suffering of the people. Speculation and investment were not adequately monitored resulting to loss of people’s deposits and banks closing. In turn, many people lost their source of income and sustenance through foreclosures.
Franklin D. Roosevelt suggested remedial action be directed to the issues he pointed out as being mainly responsible for the great depression. First, he directed that the balance between the United States industrial and agricultural development be restored to avoid relying too much on one. This would be achieved by encouraging more to take up agriculture and cultivate both food and cash crop. About the issue of financial irresponsibility, he directed the establishment of more frameworks to monitor the country’s investment, financial and banking sectors. This would protect the monetary assets of the people, especially its currency.
Roosevelt referred to the crisis as a war to evoke the deepest respect in the hearts of the people. This crisis had come immediately after the First World War, during which the concepts of national unity and patriotism were tested. Societies learned the importance of uniting to protect their land and its sovereignty thus ensuring a bright future. Roosevelt tapped into these sentiments to ensure the people united their efforts and worked hard to extricate themselves from the devastation.
With regard to their approaches to American economic problems during the depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt and William Lloyd Garrison, Jr are two different individuals. Roosevelt, faced with leading a society riddled with the effects of depression, decided to introduce more controls into the economic factors driving the American economic system that time. He chose to create a balance between industrial and agricultural development to counter the effects of unemployment while introducing more checks and balances to the investment and banking sectors. In addition, he reduced the reliance of the economic system on the gold standard by introducing the American Dollar.
On the other hand, Garrison Jr, was against the government’s plan of monitoring and controlling the country’s economic and financial system. Before the crisis, large-scale investors and industrialists were at the helm of the American financial sector, but their ruthlessness and disregard for the society’s welfare during periods of economic hardship, like the depression, forced Roosevelt’s government to intervene. As part of this band of investors and industrialists, Garrison Jr viewed the government as a hindrance to the affairs of the regular drivers of the American economy. According to them, the suffering economy should have been left to live through its problems, and then start gaining momentum when the general environment of the traditional financial and industrial sector improved.