Case Study: Glen Waverley Private Nursing Home

1. Where did you complete your Health Elective? Why did you select this location? What did you hope to gain from it? I chose to complete my placement at Glen Waverley Private Nursing Home in order to better understand the role of a registered nurse and other health professionals such as general practitioners, podiatrists, physiotherapists and geriatrician, especially in terms of coordinating with each other to deliver patient centred care to the residents. During my placement, I also hoped to review my clinical skills in an aged care setting and incorporate better communication skills while consulting elderly patients. The management and monitoring of patient medication and polypharamacy through hand-written drug charts and software also
This information was then passed onto the next registered nurse during 'handover ' meetings. Diversion therapists were also present to maintain the social aspect of resident's lifestyle by involving residents in activities such as watching TV, playing bingo, playing crossword puzzles and playing board games and music in the entertainment rooms. Personal care assistants (PCA) were informed of any special care such as being careful of wound dressing while helping residents shower, going to the toilet or resident requesting regular walks. The PCA were also responsible for informing the RN of any new wounds, skin redness or food intake during meals to maintain the resident's health. Therefore, due to the collaboration of numerous health professionals, the facility became a multidisciplinary aged care that successfully achieved its health
I learnt about common medications taken by the elderly and was able to use the 'Webster' packs for each resident quite easily, since we had been taught how to make the packs in Ecology of health two. I also did wound dressings and took vital signs' of the residents. While taking vital signs were relatively straightforward due to several clinical skill sessions, wound dressing were more challenging due to the location of the wounds. Many were often sacral wounds, which meant that I had to be fairly efficient in completing the dressing since the patient could not maintain position for a very long time. I was also able to learn how to record and report falls, as well as do neurological observations after regular intervals to ensure the stability of the residents. Moreover, I obtained consent to read some resident's folders, in which I identify and learnt more about advanced health care directives taught during health of the ageing population in Ecology of health two. I also discovered many forms of care plans, including oral and dental hygiene, skin care, bowel/bladder continence to provide continuity of care. Since these care plans are reviewed every six months, I grasped the opportunity to help review the plans for several residents under