RNheals Monthly Journal

February 2011

APRIL LEA P. MARCOS Municipality/Ptovince: Carasi, Ilocos Norte

Area of Assignment: Piddig District Hospital
I. Activities:

Being assigned in the hospital we are oblige to do or participate in all the activities
rendered by the institution. At our first month of exposure, the hospital administrator
oriented us about the policies and routine tasks to be perform by each one of us as now
being part of their institution. We are rotated at the Out-Patient-Department, and in
handling In-Patients in the wards. At the OPD, we do assessment like getting the vital
signs of the patients, asking their chief complaints then write it on their records for easily
access of the Physician on Duty. Then, the physician on duty will ask for assistance in
giving the medications to the patient. Most of the time, they give it through IM (gluteal
area) since it is painful, and this is for the convenience of the patients. With regards to
patients who are admitted, we are task to do IV insertion, but before doing so, we need to
explain the procedure to the patients and the reason why it is needed. We also regulate
the flow rate of the IV fluid according to the order of the physician. In cases of
emergency like injuries, we do first aid. We thoroughly clean the wounds and do wound
dressing. We refer the patient to the physician after doing our first aid treatment to such.
We are also responsible on the safety and comfort of all the patients while they are under
treatment in the hospital.

II. Learning/Insights:

Dealing with various kinds of patients is not that easy, it entails a lot of patience and
perseverance. As we care for our patients, we learn how to cover our sorrow with a smile.
We also learn on how to stay vigorous despite of all the tasks we endure. We learn on how to
give strength even at times we are weak, and we also learn on how to give hope even though
it is unclearly seen. As a nurse, we want to render our services to those people in need in the
best way we can. With regards to the practices of the hospital, I have learned new ideas or
techniques on IV insertion. Although I had already tried inserting IV fluids before my
exposure at Piddig District Hospital, I am still looking forward to have more experience in
doing it. I can say that I am building up my confidence in doing such; I am more relaxed and
certain in doing it because of the trust, support and help of the Staff Nurses of the said
institution. I have also learned to improve my skills in giving IM medications especially at
the glueteal area for the OPD patients. Giving first aid is also one of my learning, though it is
just simple, I’ve learn how to apply aseptic technique in doing such for the prevention of the
occurrence of infection. I have also learn to become more flexible in the sense that, whatever
environment you are in to, you need to adjust to it, you need to mingle to different kinds of
people- your patients and co-workers in a very nice way you can.
III. Issues/Concerns:

In every institution, we could not deny the fact that problems or concerns also arise. My
concern is about problems on supply. Though the supply in the institution can still handle the
needs of the patients, I think it is not yet enough to render the best quality of service. A valid
example is BP apparatus, there are only two BP apparatus available. Though we could easily
adjust on the unavailability of such gadgets, we need to have more especially when there are
a lot of patients and when the gadgets are torn and worn already. I think the quality of service
that we render will be affected. I also observe that there are no IV tags of IV fluid of the In-
patients. Having IV tags could be more appropriate so that we could see it easily when will
be the time it will be consume, know when it was started , know the right flow rate, and
know if it has any drug incorporation without repeatedly looking at the chart of the patient.

IV. Recommendation:

For the betterment of the quality of care we render to our clients, we need to do or plan
actions on how to improve our service. With my first concern regarding gadgets like BP
apparatus, the institution could solicit funds from Non-Government Organizations or from
people who are wholeheartedly willing to share their blessings to the community. In my
second concern, an IVFluids tags, the institution could have allotted budget on it. I think it
will not be a big lost on the budget since it is not that costly to make IV tags. They could
print out and cut it into small sizes that are appropriate for the size of the IVFluids, and see to
it that it is readable. We could paste it on the IV bottles every time we insert or change
IVFluids of a certain patient. With this, the quality of care and service to our patients will be
further enriched making the institution a very conducive ground for health restoration and
prevention of illnesses.

Signed:
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Nurse- trainee Supervisor