Over the last 4 weeks, I have gained remarkable knowledge on strategies that need to be set when caring for a patient in a given region. Any service given to a patient undergoing surgery recovery process should be done in a systematic manner. This is based on the fact that these services affect the progress of the patient. According to Cestra (2003), “Nursing case management is a nursing care delivery system that supports cost-effective, patient outcome oriented care.” (p76).
This course has enlightened me on the strategies that need to be considered while caring for a patient who has undergone surgery. In this paper, I will reflect on how I have gained a deeper understanding on the various strategies involved in case management. In the same way, I will discuss the skills I have gained in the field of planning, evaluation, interaction and assesment of the health issues.
My experience as a nurse
The main reason for pursing nursing as a career was to gain adequate knowlegde and skills required to care for patients. This course has equiped me with a systematic protocol that should be followed while attending to a patient who has undergone surgery. In this way, I will be able to adequately contribute to the general health of the patients. According to Cherry and Jacob(2005), “ clinical pathways are a set of predetermined protocols that specify the desired outcomes on a patient.
They also explain the interdisplinary interventions given to a patient within a given time frame”. Specified goals have to be achieved wthin a given duration. Patient’s recovery progress can deviate from the planned schedule either postively or negatively. Postive deviations occurs when a patient recovery has progressed ahead of the planned protocol. Negative deviations on the other hand, occurs when a patient recovery rate is below the predetermied goals (p460).
Duties and responsibilities
Case management course had enlighted me on the various duties that I should undertake while attending a patient.For example, the course has enhaced my willingness to take maximum care when dealing with the patients as well as other members of staff. In addition, the course has enabled me to gain skills in the five main components of case management including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation and interaction (Cherry & Jacob, 2005). These set of components have enlightened me on the various duties and responsibilities that I should undertake while handling patients who requires minor or major surgery.
Assessment
According to Cherry and Jacob (2005),” assessment involves reviewing patients’ history and current status, identifying the available resources, support system and barriers to accessing necessary treatments” (p46). This course has enlightened me on methods of collecting data required in the assessment component. This data may include checking the the financial status of the patient and the resources available for carrying out a given surgical operation (Cohen and Toni, 2005).
Planning
According to Cherry and Jacob, (2005)” Planning in case mangement involves duties such as prioritizing needs of a patient and setting achievable goals. It also entails determining eligibility and options to treatments ”(p 61 ). As a nurse, case management has enabled me to apply the skills learned in class to set optimal goals for a patient within a given time frame. I have learned that it is important to critically analyze the data collected in the assessment process.Careful analysis of data will ensure that optimal goals are set. According to Rossi (2003), “It is important that patients outcomes are clearly documented” (p 53).
Evaluation
Evaluation componets involves careful review of the the optimal goals and time frames set. This course has enabled me to review my optimal goals in order to avoid delay when attending patient.
Interactions
This course has helped me realise that interactions of all parties involved during a surgical operation play a key role in the recovery of a patient. According to Cohen and Toni, (2005), “case management involves interations of the patient, his family and health workers”(p 304).This course has helped realise that it is my responsibility as a nurse to ensure that these parties are cooperative and self motivated. This will ensure that patients outcomes are achieved within the specified time frame. I have also learned that as a nurse , it is my responsiblitiy to ensure that a patient is self-motivated so as to continously undertake his medications and maintain a positive mentality.Positive outlook on a patient will act as a stimulus in recovery process.
Conclusion
Based on the above reflection, it is vital to note that as a nurse, I should be well set to give the best services to the patient. This can only be achieved if I apply the knowledge, skills and techniques learned in this course in setting optimal and realistic goals. I have learned that careful coordination of all parties involved in case management ensure that a patient is given high quality services.
References
Cestra, G. and Hussien , A. (2003). The case manager Surviva guidel.(2nd ed). St. Lucia, MO: Mosby.
Cherry, B. and Jacob, R. (2005). Contemporary nursing: issues, trends, & management. New York City: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Cohen, L. and Toni, G. (2005). Nursing case management: from essentials to advanced practice applicationsNursing Case Management: From Essentials to Adv Prac App (2nd ed).New York: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Rossi, and Peggy, A. (2003). Case Management in Health Care. (2nd ed).Philadelphia: Saunders-Elsevier Science.