Many changes are taking place in Ireland’s health care setting, including an increase in people with chronic and comorbid disorders. In addition, life expectancy has increased, leading to an influx of the elderly population who are dependent due to age-related disabilities. In 2015, Ireland had a bed occupancy rate of 95%, which exceeds the internationally recommended threshold of 85% (Walsh et al., 2019, p. 48). Most of the admissions were comprised of senior citizens who are above 65 years and are dependent (Walsh et al., 2019). The objective of this paper is to discuss the care skills needed in a bed bath, offering eating assistance, and transferring a patient from bed to chair.
Bed Bath for a Resident
People need to take a shower regularly to enhance health and have a sense of wellbeing. Bathing helps keep the skin looking elegant, guards against germs, and offers a chance for the person to inspect for rashes and sores. The experience of cleansing makes individuals feel fresh, cared for, and relieved from fatigue and stress. However, bedridden patients may need assistance taking a bed bath following the procedure below.
Organization
First, the nurse must check the patient’s care plan and ensure that the bed bath is appropriate to reassure the patient of safety. The attendant should have all the materials, including three towels, two washcloths, a thermometer, a measuring jug, a large container, a waterproof sheet, a lotion, and a table stand (Whitely Corporation, 2018). It is also appropriate for the nurse to wash their hands and be well-groomed before arranging equipment on the table.
Procedure
First, the nurse explains the steps to the patient. Closes the room to enhance privacy before she can wear the gloves and undress the woman for the bed bath. Professionalism and efficiency were ensured through assessing the patient’s file for suitability and seeking the consent of the patient before starting the cleaning process (Whitely Corporation, 2018). In addition, proper documentation was done at the end, which shows commitment to high standards.
Health, Safety and Care Practice
The patient’s room seemed secure, but the nurses did not carry out any risk assessment. The assumption of safety is not a good practice even when there is no reason for alarm. The main safe and healthy practice concerns hygienic practices such as washing the hands, wearing gloves and disposing of the used materials while sterilizing the towels. The nurse ensured that the room was left clean and well-lit after the practice.
Documentation
Documentation is important before and after the bathing a patient in a residential area. In the YouTube video, the nurse ensured that she checked the file and verified that a bed bath was needed. It was indicated that once a day, the patient will require the birth. Upon completion, the nurse decided to record that she completed the procedure for that day and stored up the files securely.
Assisting a Dependent Client with Eating A Meal
Feeding is important as it allows the body to get the essential nutrients which enable the body to remain strong and healthy. However, dependent clients may not be able to drink or eat alone due to disability, illness, or weakness. Caring for such clients involves assisting them in taking the meals at the right time. AZMIT (2018) uploaded a video showing a nurse feeding a dependent resident.
Organization
The nurse knocked on the door and introduced herself, then explained that she had come to assist the patient to eat; the client agreed, she entered and closed the door behind. The nurse had a tray which contained the patient’s diet card, water, and food in a can. She sanitized her hands, straightened the curtain for privacy, and took the materials, including clothing protector and two washcloths.
Procedure
The correct order was followed from the time the nurse knocked on the door to recording. First, the nurse sanitized her hands and arranged all the materials while explaining to the patient. Next, she raised the patient’s bed to 45 degrees, washed the patient’s hand, and correctly placed the protective clothing. She confirmed the diet card and started feeding the patient professionally and in an efficient way allowing time to swallow.
Health, Safety and Care Practice
From observation, it is apparent that the nurse observed high level of health and safety practice. The room of the patient was clean and properly lit to avoid accidents. The nurse sanitized her hand and helped to wash the patient’s hands with wet, soapy towel and then dried with a clean cloth (AZMIT, 2018). After the patient completed her meal, the nurse disposed of the cloth and left the room clean and organized.
Documentation
The process aimed to show how a dependent patient in a resident can be fed. There were two pieces of documentation, including the diet card and the record sheet. The former was used to check if the patient is in a special or regular feed before providing the meal. After the completion of eating procedure, the latter was used to take note of the amount of water and food that the patient took.
Transferring a Resident from Bed to Chair
Moving an incapacitated patient from the bed may be necessary when changing the beddings or to allow the client to engage in other activities such as moving in a wheelchair. Modern technologies such as the sling and A 150F folding mobile hoist make the process efficient (Prism Medical UK, 2017). The procedure should be done skillfully to prevent injury and protect the dignity of the patient.
Procedure
First, the bed is positioned to a comfortable working height to be more efficient for nurses. One of the patient’s legs is then raised at 90 degrees at the knee, and the arms are well folded on the chest. The two nurses then gently turn the patient and position the sling on one side, then the other ready for lifting to the chair. The machine aids in transferring the patient efficiently and safely.
Organization, Safety and Documentation
It is important to explain to the client the procedure about to be carried out and reassure them of safety. In the video upload by Prism Medical UK (2017), the two nurses come in, one of them touches the patient gently in a reassuring manner. However, there is no verbalization of the procedure, and the viewer can only assume that the patient was expecting the procedure. The room was safe and use of the well-designed equipment for lifting the client made the process secure. There was no documentation done for the entire procedure, although it is necessary for a clinical setting.
Self-Reflection
Clinical care centers are admitting more long-term residential patients who need assistance in carrying out daily routines. Bath, feeding, and movement are essential activities with many benefits; thus, dependent patients should be assisted. While watching the videos, I learned that helping should be done in an ethical way to uphold the dignity of the resident. For instance, consent should be sought, the resident should be given opportunity to be independent, and the room should be private. I also learned that some of the skills needed include empathetic communication, record keeping, caring, and organization. Nurses must always remember that all process must be patient centered and that their clients deserves respect regardless of their present condition.
Reference List
AZMIT (2018) CNA skill: feeding the dependent resident. Web.
Prism Medical UK (2017) Transferring from a bed to a chair featuring the application of a universal sling and a 150F folding. Web.
Walsh, B. et al. (2019) ‘An analysis of the effects on Irish hospital care of the supply of care inside, and outside, the hospital’, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Research Series, pp. 1-156. Web.
Whitely Corporation (2018) Dermalux soft towel lotion – bed bath system. Web.