Nursing Communication
A discussion took place with Nick, whose name has been changed to respect confidentiality as enshrined in The Code (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) 2008). Nick, a gentleman, aged 51, was admitted to hospital with vomiting and acute abdominal pain. Nick’s experience of admission, examination and testing were mainly positive. Nick’s postoperative experiences were extremely negative. Most aspects of The Code (NMC 2008) were observed on admittance nonetheless, it appears that little of The Code was applied postoperatively. This essay will examine the positive and negative aspects of Nick’s hospital care and employ psychosocial models to critique Nick’s care.
On admission, Nick felt valued and confident when his doctor formatted appropriate questions for his current concern and established Nick’s prior history. Nonetheless, as suggested by Heritage & Maynard (2008), Nick felt too much time was spent in discussion of a prior chronic condition. Conversely, Nick appreciated the need for the doctor to rule out a possible re-occurrence of a previous condition. As required by the NMC (2008) Nick gave informed consent prior to any testing or examination; Nick’s dignity was preserved as described by Cass et al. (2008) and he felt reassured throughout. Nick was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and admitted to a ward to await surgery. Peate (2008) suggests once a diagnosis has been reached it is important for analgesia to be provided. The doctor responded to Nick’s needs and provided appropriate antiemetic and analgesic medication.
Nick awoke postoperatively in considerable pain and discomfort and very thirsty. Cooper et al. (2004) consider that fundamental aspects to patient care are the relief of pain and suffering, yet Nick found himself lying alone on a trolley in a corridor, in considerable pain and very thirsty. Nursing staff were not evident and no bell was within reach. A drip was attached to Nick’s left arm, and there were no curtains or screens
On admission, Nick felt valued and confident when his doctor formatted appropriate questions for his current concern and established Nick’s prior history. Nonetheless, as suggested by Heritage & Maynard (2008), Nick felt too much time was spent in discussion of a prior chronic condition. Conversely, Nick appreciated the need for the doctor to rule out a possible re-occurrence of a previous condition. As required by the NMC (2008) Nick gave informed consent prior to any testing or examination; Nick’s dignity was preserved as described by Cass et al. (2008) and he felt reassured throughout. Nick was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and admitted to a ward to await surgery. Peate (2008) suggests once a diagnosis has been reached it is important for analgesia to be provided. The doctor responded to Nick’s needs and provided appropriate antiemetic and analgesic medication.
Nick awoke postoperatively in considerable pain and discomfort and very thirsty. Cooper et al. (2004) consider that fundamental aspects to patient care are the relief of pain and suffering, yet Nick found himself lying alone on a trolley in a corridor, in considerable pain and very thirsty. Nursing staff were not evident and no bell was within reach. A drip was attached to Nick’s left arm, and there were no curtains or screens
References: Bradley E., Campbell P. & Nolan P. (2005) Nurse prescribers: who are they and how do they perceive their role? Journal of Advanced Nursing. 51 (5), pp. 439-448. Charon R., Banks J.T., Connelly J.E., Hawkins A.H., Hunter K.M., Jones A.H. (1995) Literature and medicine: contributions to clinical practice. Annals of Internal Medicine. 122(8), pps. 599-606. Department of Health (2008) Human Rights in Healthcare A framework for local action. Central Office of Information. Available from: http://networks.csip.org.uk/_library/Human_Rights_in_Healthcare.pdf Heritage J. & Maynard D. W. (eds.) (2008) Communication in Medical Care. Interaction between primary care physicians and patients. Cambridge University Press. p. 184. Hughes S. (2002) The effects of giving patients preoperative information. Nursing Standard. 16(28), pp. 33–7. Mason T., Carlisle C., Watkins C., Whitehead E., (eds.) (2001) Stigma and Social Exclusion. Routledge. Nursing & Midwifery Council (2008) Peate I. (2008) Caring for people with appendicitis. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants. 2(8), pp. 389 – 392. Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham KBE (2008) High Quality Care For All Race D.G. (ed.) (2003) Leadership and Change in Human Services Selected Readings from Wolf Wolfensberger. Routledge. p.33. Thompson T.L., Dorsey A.M., Miller K.I., Parrott R. (2003) Handbook of Health Communication. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. p. 141. Wondrak R