Reflection Journal
Student’s name
Instructor
Course
Date
Introduction
In my most recent nursing situation, I was tasked with continuous visual monitoring of a patient who was receiving wound draining and cleaning of a likely methicillin-resistant facial wound.The patient was in a lot of pain and was very anxious about the procedure. I reassured them and made sure they were as comfortable as possible throughout the process. Additionally, I closely monitored the wound for any signs of infection and reported any changes to the physician.
Background
The patient was a middle-aged male who had a history of drug abuse, specifically methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. He had been admitted to the hospital for treatment of a facial wound that was suspected to be infected with MRSA (Turner et al., 2019).The patient’s history of drug abuse had made him more susceptible to MRSA infections, which are known to be resistant to many common antibiotics. It was important to take extra precautions and follow strict infection control protocols to prevent the spread of MRSA to other patients and staff in the hospital.
Noticing
As I began my shift, I noticed that the wound was red, swollen, and had a foul-smelling discharge. The patient was also complaining of pain and discomfort.I immediately reported my observations to the physician and wound care nurse, and we decided to start the patient on a stronger antibiotic regimen to combat the MRSA infection. I also began wound dressing changes every four hours and continued to monitor the wound closely for any changes. To minimize the discomfort of the patient, we also provided him with appropriate pain management.
Interpreting
Based on my observations and the patient’s symptoms, I suspected that the wound was indeed infected with MRSA. I immediately informed the physician and requested for a wound culture to confirm my suspicion.The physician agreed with my assessment and ordered a wound culture to confirm the presence of MRSA. In the meantime, we started the patient on a stronger antibiotic regimen and continued to monitor the wound closely for any changes. I also made sure to follow strict infection control protocols to prevent the spread of MRSA to other patients and staff in the hospital.
Responding
In the meantime, I began administering appropriate wound care, including cleaning the wound with a chlorhexidine solution and applying a sterile dressing. I also administered pain medication to the patient to alleviate his discomfort (Lotfinejad et al., 2021).I also made sure to educate the patient about the importance of proper wound care, including keeping the wound clean and dry, and the potential risks of not following these instructions, such as re-infection or delayed healing. I also provided the patient with information about the signs and symptoms of an infected wound, and instructed him to contact the healthcare provider if he noticed any changes in his wound or if he had any concerns.
Reflection-in-Action
As I was performing the wound care, I realized that I had made an error in not wearing gloves while cleaning the wound. I immediately corrected my mistake and put on gloves to prevent any potential cross-contamination (Kuhnke et al., 2019).I also reflected on my actions and thought about how I could prevent similar errors in the future. I made a mental note to always check my equipment and gear before starting any procedure and to always be mindful of infection control protocols. I also realized that it’s always better to be extra cautious and double-check your actions to ensure that you are providing safe and effective care to your patients.
Reflection-on-Action and Clinical Learning
After my shift, I reflected on the situation and recognized the importance of proper infection control measures, such as wearing gloves, in preventing the spread of MRSA. I also made a note to be more vigilant in recognizing the signs of MRSA infections in the future and to take appropriate precautions. This experience reinforced the importance of ongoing clinical learning and the need to constantly reflect on my actions to improve my practice as a nurse (Campbell et al., 2020).
I also realized that this experience was a valuable learning opportunity, as it allowed me to apply the knowledge and skills I have acquired through my nursing education and training in a real-world setting. I was able to identify the signs of MRSA infection, implement appropriate wound care, and work collaboratively with the healthcare team to provide the best possible care for the patient.
In future, I plan to continue to use this experience as a reminder of the importance of infection control measures and the need to remain vigilant in recognizing and responding to the signs of MRSA infection. I will also use this experience to inform my ongoing clinical learning and professional development as a nurse.
Clinical leadership
As the student charge nurse/clinical leader during this experience, I was responsible for overseeing the care of this patient and ensuring that all tasks were completed safely and efficiently. I collaborated with my peers and the preceptor to develop a plan of care for the patient, which included continuous visual monitoring of the wound and cleaning it according to protocol.
Throughout the process, I delegated certain tasks to my peers such as administering medications, documenting vital signs, and completing discharge planning. I also provided guidance and instruction on proper wound care techniques and infection control measures (Campbell et al., 2020).
Challenges
One of the main challenges I faced during this experience was managing the patient’s pain and discomfort while also ensuring that the wound was being cleaned properly. I worked closely with the patient and my peers to assess their pain levels and adjust the plan of care accordingly. Additionally, I ensured that the patient was educated on their wound care plan and the importance of proper wound healing (Kuhnke et al., 2019).
Self-Care and Future Goals
As I continue throughout my program, I plan to care for myself by taking breaks when needed and practicing self-care. I also plan to continue seeking guidance and feedback from my faculty and peers in order to improve my delegation skills and overall leadership style (Campbell et al., 2020).In addition, I plan to focus on developing my critical thinking and problem-solving skills so that I can better assess and respond to patients’ needs. I also plan to keep up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in the field of nursing so that I can provide the best care possible to my patients. Furthermore, I will continue to strive for professional development and growth as a nurse, and I will pursue opportunities for advanced education and certification in my field.
Conclusion
Overall, this experience taught me the importance of effective delegation and communication in the care of a patient with a wound. It also highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring and assessment of the patient’s condition to ensure that the wound is healing properly and that the patient is comfortable. I look forward to continuing to develop my leadership skills and providing high-quality care to my patients throughout my program
References
Campbell, A. R., Layne, D., Scott, E., & Wei, H. (2020). Interventions to promote teamwork, delegation and communication among registered nurses and nursing assistants: An integrative review. Journal of Nursing Management, 28(7), 1465-1472.
Kuhnke, J. L., Keast, D., Rosenthal, S., & Evans, R. J. (2019). Health professionals’ perspectives on delivering patient-focused wound management: a qualitative study. Journal of wound care, 28(Sup7), S4-S13.
Lotfinejad, N., Peters, A., Tartari, E., Fankhauser-Rodriguez, C., Pires, D., &Pittet, D. (2021). Hand hygiene in health care: 20 years of ongoing advances and perspectives. The Lancet infectious diseases, 21(8), e209-e221.
Turner, N. A., Sharma-Kuinkel, B. K., Maskarinec, S. A., Eichenberger, E. M., Shah, P. P., Carugati, M., … & Fowler Jr, V. G. (2019). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: an overview of basic and clinical research. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 17(4), 203-218.
