Clinical Experience Reflection

Answer

Clinical Experience Reflection

Description

During my placement period, I worked in the surgical ward under the supervision of my mentor taking care of a 10-year-old male who underwent abdominal surgery. I was told to remove the wound dressing for the doctor to assess it during ward round. The doctor had been going round in the wards examining other patients and all over sudden the doctor came straight to my patient and started examining him without either using alcohol gel or washing the hands. The doctor also wore a long-sleeved shirt and I had a concern that the cuffs could contaminate the wound. I thought of letting him know but I had not gathered enough courage since everybody around me kept quiet.

Feelings

I was shocked by the action of the doctor since I expected her to use alcohol gel or wash her hands before completing that sensitive assignment.  I felt bad and intimidated since I expected the doctor, who is very experience, to follow every step of monitoring the patient. I felt that the omission was intentional, hence made me get concerned about the life of the patient.  I ended up feeling guilty for not having acted appropriately because of fear.  I spoke with the mentor later and he assured me that he would talk with the doctor about the issue.

Evaluation

The incidence was one of the most challenging owing to my position in the hospital. I regret for having not acted suitably by reminding the doctor about the procedure. However, I am very happy with doctor’s response after the mentor talked to her. She narrated that she had some pressure and the action was not intentional. The doctor of late takes a considerable time to prepare herself before examining every patient. She even takes longer time on every patient, something that she was not doing before this incidence.  I also learned about an important issue in this occurrence-it is important to act assertively and quickly irrespective of the situation to ensure the wellbeing of the patient since that is the main objective of any care provider (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2016, Standard 3).

Analysis

Wachter and Pronovost (2017) opine that hand hygiene is one of the most important activity that reduces cross-infection. However, they point that most care providers do not adhere to the correct procedures of hand washing and other hand hygiene measures.  Gould et al. (2017) state that there are high possibilities of transmitting infection through uniforms hence there should be a review on the policies of staff dresses.  According to standard section six of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct (2016), healthcare providers must act to recognize and minimize the risks to clients and patients during their practice. On the same note, the Theory of Planned Behavior pronounces that the actions of individuals in the hospitals are the major cause of hospital acquired infections (HAIs)

Conclusion

Based on the situation, I feel that I would have informed the doctor to wash her hands before the examination. My silence and inability to act put the life of the patient at risk, a factor that is contrary to my philosophy and intention as a care provider. After talking to my mentor, I realized that I need to develop confidence in order to challenge the practices of the colleagues that put the lives of patients at risk.  Although I should understand the pressure of the collogues as a result of many patients they take care of, I should not let that be an excuse of endangering the lives of patients

Action Plan

In future, I aim to develop assertive skills and confidence in order to ensure that safety of patients is maintained.  Therefore, in future, having assertive skills is my goal hence I will strive to learn it. In my next placement, I will let my mentor know that assertiveness is my aim to include certain practices to achieve it.