Reflective Evaluation of a Urological Episode of Care and Professional Nursing Development
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Reflective Evaluation of a Urological Episode of Care and Professional Nursing Development
Student
Course
Instructor
Institution
City, State
Date
Assessment, Delivery, and Evaluation of Urological Patient Care
During my placement in the hospital urology theatre, I was involved in the care of an older man who had an overactive bladder and was undergoing a bladder scan and surgery, as well as having a catheter inserted. The first step in my care for this patient was to conduct a comprehensive assessment, taking into account not only his physical health needs but also his mental health and social influences. I used the NICE guidelines and the Royal College of Nursing’s recommendations for assessing and caring for patients with an overactive bladder (Witjes et al., 2021).
I then worked with the patient to develop a care plan that was tailored to his individual needs and preferences. This included ensuring that he had appropriate pain management and monitoring his vital signs and catheter care. I also ensured that he was informed of the risks and benefits of the surgery and catheter insertion and obtained his informed consent.
Throughout the episode of care, I continually monitored the patient’s condition and responded appropriately to any changes. I also worked closely with the multidisciplinary team, including the patient’s surgeon and other nursing staff, to ensure that he received the best possible care. In evaluating the care that I provided, I reflected on my practice and considered what I did well and what I would have done differently (Witjes et al., 2021). For example, I realised that I could have done a better job of communicating with the patient’s family and involving them in his care.
Overall, I am pleased with how I handled this episode of care and feel that I have made good progress in developing my skills and knowledge as a nurse. I am confident that I can apply the learning from this experience to other areas of practice and continue to provide high-quality, person-centred care to my patients.
Strengths Demonstrated During Patient Assessment and Care Coordination
During the episode of care, I believe I performed well in assessing the patient’s needs and creating a comprehensive care plan. I utilised relevant knowledge and skills to conduct a thorough assessment and continuously monitored the patient’s condition. I was able to identify signs of deterioration or distress and escalate appropriately (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2018). Additionally, I felt confident in my ability to interact and engage with the patient’s family and members of the multidisciplinary team to coordinate care.
Opportunities to Strengthen Patient Involvement and Multidisciplinary Collaboration
In retrospect, I believe there are a few things I would have done differently in this episode of care. I would have made more effort to involve the patient in his own care and the decision-making process. This could have been achieved by providing the patient with more information about his condition and treatment options and involving him in care planning. Additionally, I would have sought more input from other members of the multidisciplinary team, such as the patient’s primary care physician, to ensure that all aspects of the patient’s care were considered.
Development of Independent Practice and Clinical Decision-Making
During the episode of care, I began to work more independently in the provision of care and the decision-making process by taking the initiative to assess the patient’s needs and develop a care plan that was tailored to his individual needs. I also felt more confident in my ability to make decisions and take actions that were in the best interest of the patient (Zhu et al., 2019). For example, I recognised that the patient’s condition was deteriorating, and I escalated the situation appropriately to the supervisor. This helped me to take more ownership of the patient’s care and to feel more confident in my ability to make decisions that were in the best interest of the patient.
Transferable Learning for Future Person-Centred Nursing Practice
The learning from this episode of care could be transferred to other areas of practice in several ways. Firstly, the importance of thoroughly assessing and monitoring patients’ conditions is crucial for ensuring that appropriate care is provided. Additionally, effective communication and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams are essential for providing the best possible care for patients (Zhu et al., 2019). Furthermore, the importance of considering and addressing social influences, health literacy, and lifestyle choices in patient care can be applied to a wide range of health conditions and settings. Finally, the importance of risk management and the need for continuous improvement in care quality can be applied to any area of practice.
Reference List
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018). The Code: Professional Standards of Practice and Behaviour for nurses, Midwives and Nursing Associates. [online] Nmc.org.uk. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/.
Witjes, J.A., Bruins, H.M., Cathomas, R., Compérat, E.M., Cowan, N.C., Gakis, G., Hernández, V., Linares Espinós, E., Lorch, A., Neuzillet, Y., Rouanne, M., Thalmann, G.N., Veskimäe, E., Ribal, M.J. and van der Heijden, A.G. (2021). European Association of Urology Guidelines on Muscle-invasive and Metastatic Bladder Cancer: Summary of the 2020 Guidelines. European Urology, 79(1), pp.82–104. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2020.03.055.
Zhu, C.-Z., Ting, H.-N., Ng, K.-H. and Ong, T.-A. (2019). A review on the accuracy of bladder cancer detection methods. Journal of Cancer, 10(17), pp.4038–4044. doi:10.7150/jca.28989.