Reflection On Principles Of Moving And Handling Patients Nursing Essay

Reflection On Principles Of Moving And Handling affected roles Nursing EssayManual handling of patients has been a continuous issue of rubber among nurses. In fact, the Department of Health(2007) has called for an end in the manual handling of patients due to the injury that it has caused among nurses. The no lifting policy has been imposed as a strict rule in all hospitals and the principles of body mechanics has been stressed among all hospital employees to prevent back pain muscle kind among healthcare staff.In the surgical ward where I am presently take ining, utilising the ideal way of moving handling patients is an definitive part of my e reallyday work especially that we deal mostly with orthopaedic patients. The proper use of manual handling services and proper body mechanics are very important principles that we keep in mind everyday to ensure safety not only for our patients but for ourselves as well.Schn, D.(1983) definedreflective practiceas the capableness to r eflect on action so as to engage in a process of continuous learning. This reflective essay will focus on my experiences while I worked to attain my goal of becoming more proficient in moving and handling surgical patients. Using the Gibbs (1988) broody Model, I would be reflecting on my practice to promote more avenues of learning astir(predicate) this topic in the future.The Reflective CycleDESCRIPTIONI have not had a lot experience with taking care of orthopaedic patients before I came to this country. But, when I started my adaptation program in a surgical ward of a hush-hush hospital, I was bombarded with patients who had hip, knee and foot surgeries. I came across manual handling aids like crutches, frames, and sticks in helping patients mobility and focused on promoting patients independence. During the outset hardly a(prenominal) weeks, I was not very confident with handling these patients knowing that I was not well equipped with the knowledge skills. Thus, I was mot ivated to find a way to be better in this aspect.I started by researching about postoperative care for orthopaedic patients and proper usage of manual handling/ automatic aids equipment. I attended the mandatory training about manual handling as well and amendd my knowledge about the principles of body mechanics and the different manual handling aids. We were also taught on how to move handle patients especially in difficult or emergency situations.In the next few weeks, I worked hand in hand with the physiotherapists and I carefully observed how they facilitate mobility and independence among postoperative patients. As cited in the NICE guidelines (draft for consultation, October 2010), the rapid riposte of physical and self care functions is critical to recovery from surgery, particularly where the goal is to return to the patient to pre-operative levels of function and residence. thitherfore, it is very important to take to heart patients in reverting to their optimal level of well being by motivating them to be independent as soon as feasible as safety allows.FEELINGSDuring the first few weeks of my exposure, I looked at orthopaedic patients as very delicate in terms of mobilisation. I was aware of the restrictions that each type of surgery has, I knew what aids they need to facilitate their movement and I knew by theory the techniques that nurses physiotherapists apply when assisting them with their mobility. I was competent in knowledge due to the extra sequence I did with research and with my effort at working with the physiotherapists. Yet, I was not confident with the actual thing. Every time I assist these patients in acquiring out of bed, sitting on a chair, or going to the toilet, I ensured that I had some other health care professional with me to assist the patient. I had fears within me especially when handling hip patients knowing that these patients commonly experience fainting episodes during the first few days after the operation. I was very careful and very keen with my patients safety and every time I do something, I make sure that I follow the principles of body mechanics to protect myself as well.As time went on and as busier the ward gets, I developed more confidence in handling these patients and in giving instructions to aid in their mobility regaining their independence. As time went on, I experienced more incidents which gave me more learning. I experienced a few incidences wherein these hip patients lose their instinct not only when the patient was about to lie back on bed but also when the patient just had a tryer in the assisted bathroom. Those experiences made me very cautious from then on and they enhanced my skills in carrying out immediate interventions during emergency situations.EVALUATIONThe whole experience taught me to be confident and I was able to achieve a sense of control over every situation I encountered. I always regard safety as priority in doing every action.While assisting pati ents in regaining independence, there were times wherein I cared for patients who were very stubborn and who wanted to do things their avouch way. There were instances wherein the patients become overconfident that they do things on their own, not thinking about the risks that they put themselves into. No matter what instructions we give to these patients, they still waver to cooperate.In contrast, I also have this tendency of making my patients very dependent at times. As influenced by my culture, I sometimes tend to plead myself to my patients too much that they get used to having other batch do things for them, thus conflicting the principle of promoting independence.ANALYSISExamining deeply the experiences I had made me grip the reality that we should always act accordingly and think about whats best for our patients. These decisions might not always please them but we, as nurses, have to show to them that we are in control of the situation and act as patient advocates. Thes e incidences taught me to be firm and be authoritative as the situation allows and that I should assist the patients in attaining their goal of being able to do their activities of daily living (ADLs) on their own.CONCLUSIONAs the age, weight, and infirmity of patients being hospitalized increase in our society, the people responsible for caring for them face greater risk for developing musculoskeletal injury during the routine moving, transferring, and repositioning of those charged to their care. This risk is intensified by the exploitation median age of nurses (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010) and the fact that many of those caregivers suffer daily from previous injuries related to the physical tasks of patient care (Peter D. Hart query Associates, Inc., March, 2006). There is increasing evidence (Nelson Baptiste, 2004Nelson, Motacki, Menzel, 2009) to indicate that safe patient-handling and movement strategies are effective in reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries an d pain.This entire experience made me sort out the importance of safety while helping the patient achieve optimum health and faster recovery. If I were to make changes about the whole situation to improve myself, I could have worked with the physiotherapists by practically getting involved in using the different manual handling aids. Aside from that, I could have loose myself to the use of other manual handling aids that were not commonly used in the ward where I am working.ACTION PLANIn the future, I intend to make myself more familiar with other mechanical devices by exposing myself to the medical wards. I would also plan to attend any trainings and seminars about manual handling to update me with the knowledge and skills. Upon handling orthopaedic patients in the future, I intend to promote independence as much as possible and be more firm to perverse patients.Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2010). Career guide to industries, 2010-11 edition, Healthcare. US Department of Labor. Re trieved February 21, 2010, fromhttp//www.bls.gov/oco/cg/Context LinkPeter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc. (2006, March). Safe Patient Handling A Report Based on Quantitative Research Among Nurses and Radiology Technicians. Conducted on Behalf of AFT Healthcare By Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc. Retrieved February 21, 2010,www.aft.org/pdfs/healthcare/safepatienthandling0306.pdfContext LinkNelson A., Baptiste A. (2004, September 30). Evidence-based practices for safe patient handling and movement. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 9, 3, Manuscript 3. Retrieved May 17, 2010, fromhttp//www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume92004/No3Sept04/EvidenceBasedPractices.aspxContext LinkNelson A., Motacki K., Menzel N. (2009). The illustrated guide to safe patient handling and movement. New York Springer.Context LinkSchn, D.(1983)The Reflective Practitioner, How Professionals Think In Action, Basic Books.ISBN 0465068782.