I remember one time I had a patient who came in with COPD and his anxiety level was just to the brim, he was an elderly man too, living on his own and I feel so sorry for him...I did the best that I can of course, sticking well with the treatment and plan but what made the difference, he later told me (when he was better) was the way he was cared for. He almost shed a tear when we transferred him to another ward and he gave me a big hug too. I felt all warm and fuzzy after that (chuckle).
Amazing, when all I remember doing apart from the usual meds, obs etc...was checking up on him often, making him comfortable by putting the table in front of him with a pillow so he could rest his arms when he leans forward, I remember giving him cold flannels to freshen him up and give him a little comfort from his suffering- because he was really suffering.
I was teaching him to purse his lips when breathing, relaxation techniques etcetera...to ease his anxiety. He was also quite pleased when I offered to refer him to our MDT such as our social woker, physio and OT. He was getting a bit worried see, when he goes home because he lives alone and is really quite used to being independent but he has become frail and sickly of late. I think it is important for me to know too that I have made 'lifelines' to services when he finally gets discharged.
Even though we were busy at the ward, I made sure I worked around his pace and stuck to his normal routine as much as possible, this care was carried out also in partnership with the HCA's in our ward who were very helpful in attending to his needs as I cannot be with him all the time. Their help proved invaluable as they give me feedback and observations about the patients and I realized how it truly is a team effort, you know? it is not a one man's job. I make sure discussions are in private and not within hearing shot of anybody to protect my patient's privacy. In light of this privacy and confidentiality thing I also make sure I put away files, close trendcare or intranet windows and that charts are covered over by the name form. I realize that once you have become a patient, most privy information are open to health staff such as names, contact numbers, social and personal situations and matters and I thought if I were in my patient's shoes I wouldn't want my personal information open to public. A call for medical ethics and conduct, as well as values are needed.
That is another thing I have found out- is to value all the members of the team, from our dear cleaner, caterer, volunteers and HCA's who all chip in to help, the value of delegation and when to utilize it. I used to be a health care assistant and I make sure due appreciations come their way as they do so much.
I didn't think much of it before but now in hindsight, I think by just being there for him, by being 'in the moment' and knowing that he is looked after gave him a lot of comfort and re-assurance. I cared for him like I would if he was my father see and maybe he felt that. No wonder they call it 'Nursing'- because the root word comes from 'nurture', to cherish, to nourish...it's such an intimate word.
It sometimes is an epiphany when realizations come...the moment when everything starts to unfold- for me that unfolding is to realize that we all are human beings and that we all have that basic need to be cared for, that human connection is important in a hospital setting because everything is so alien to you. The fact that your health is threatened in one way or another to get admitted automatically makes one vulnerable and with so many procedures to go through and so many different faces and health professionals to meet and discuss things with, to share a room full of strangers and goodness help us- all sorts of diseases and conditions, plus the very wearying hospital routine and obs taken at very ungodly hours- is already so overwhelming. And for a nurse to come your way and really look after you- 'nurse' you in the very sense of the word, makes the greatest difference in a patient's experience. And according to research as well, inpatient experience influences health behaviour and I can clearly see how.
If we put ourselves in his shoes I think it paints a grim picture- alone, old, hardly getting any air into your lungs, limited social life and then suddenly found yourself hospitalized. Sigh, isn't that sad?
If I did the opposite and just treated the patient as COPD, if I looked at him as just a bedspace number, if all I did was carry out the treatment to a T but did not establish a trusting relationship with him- do you think it makes a difference? That question he has answered. And I feel that this is a reminder to nurses like me.
Now, dear reader- can you see why this is for me an epiphany? I learnt the simple fact of true nursing- it is the human connection. That is the key. Everything else will fall as skill, theory, duty or task...but the heart of nursing is in the art of caring itself. I guess that is why I am partial to Jean Watson's human caring theory because it reflects my own.
And I am thankful that nursing enables me to do just that, it is an avenue for me to use my character strengths to benefit other people beyond the circle of family and friends and I tell you it's so fulfilling. Despite the stress that comes with the job, I still go home feeling satisfied. My cup runneth over :)
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