aChelle Boyden,

LaChelle Boyden,

Hospital policies regarding procedure policies are all aimed at quality services and patient safety. Performing procedures the ideal way helps in infection prevention, and it is good that the nursing unit you work in adheres to that. Catheter insertion policies will help prevent urinary tract infections and prevent complications resulting from ignoring vital measures. The nurse should be aware of the indications of the stated procedure and its rationale. However, the organization should educate its nurses regarding accessing the hospital procedure policies to ensure effectiveness and efficiency. Reviewing procedures between the primary care nurse and the charge nurse is a significant step to ensure errors are avoided, and patient care is administered according to the national patient safety goals.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are costly; therefore, unnecessary use of catheters should be prevented. The use of electronic and unit policies and protocols help reduce CAUTI. The updated systematic review involved the use of reminders and stop orders to prompt catheter removal. Fink, R. et al. (2016) recommended documenting urinary output, catheter management and also date and location of insertion, and describing urine as ways of ensuring patient safety through early detection of infections.

. Cather infections prevention strategies include aseptic insertion, and catheter maintenance have been seen to reduce CAUTI rates and improve patient safety

References

Fink, R., Gilmartin, H., Richard, A., Capezuti, E., Boltz, M., & Wald, H. (2016). Indwelling urinary catheter management and catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention practices in Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders hospitals. American journal of infection control, 40(8), 715-720.

 

Pain management

Loveline samba,

You made a significant contribution by writing about pain management. There has been tremendous misuse of pain medication whereby strong medication is prescribed even in a situation where therapeutic interventions are effective. Pain is subjective, but there are several ways to assess its intensity and appropriate intervention implemented. Pain management policies should be strictly followed so that adequate patient care is given to ensure improved quality of life. According to the World Health Organization 2017 (WHO) guidelines, national policies should ensure balance on controlled substances and guidance on the use of the controlled substances should be available and accessible in all health facilities.

Pain management policies should be adhered to based on the nature of the pain, and nurses allowed to determine the doses as they are the primary caregivers and understand the patient very well. The dosages of opioids should be controlled, and the Dangerous Drug Act adhered to avoid drug tolerance and dependence. Evidence-based practices concerning patient safety and pain management must be followed by all health care providers and interdisciplinary team collaborations encouraged to improve patient outcomes.

References

World Health Organization analgesic guidelines(2017). Journal of Pain and symptom management, 5(1), 27-32.