Promoting Privacy and Dignity for Older Patients in Hospital - Essay Example

Promoting privacy and dignity for older patients in hospital Summary of the Article Relevant to my Practice I chose promoting privacy and dignityfor older patients in hospital by Birrell in 2006 as one of the most relevant articles for my future role and profession.  The article covers from both the perspective of the patients and the health care practitioners and recommended ways to improve the quality of the health profession by providing a promoting privacy and dignity for older patients in hospitals.  The patients were able to articulate their observations of the health care services provided. The article aims to tell the health professionals the observations of the patients thus, hoping for changes in the clinical areas. The article deals with how the patients’ see their privacy and dignity during their stay under health services. Some of the feedbacks were negative, and pertains to their loss of dignity, and the non respect from the practitioners. From the survey of the older patients, it showed how they perceived the experience. The focus of the article is on identifying the ways of preserving the dignity and the respecting the privacy of all the patients. The team employed interviews and questionnaires so that they would be able to gather the patient’s outlooks regarding their preference. One of the aspects involved is the preference of the patients to be wheeled to the toilets rather that using the commodes. The factors of the privacy and dignity preservations were discussed, as well as their best practices. The factors included are (1) attitudes and behaviors; (2) personal world and personal identity; (3) personal boundaries and space promoted by all staff; (4) communication between staff and patients; (5) Privacy of patient-confidentiality care of patient information; (6) privacy, dignity and modesty; (7) availability of an area for complete privacy. The study chooses to define the dignity and the privacy of the older patients. Basically, it aims to tackle the negative perceptions about adults so that health professionals would be able to understand and deal with them better. It aimed to identify the key issues that are embodied in the quality of service by health care professionals. The data acquired from the study suggest that attitudes of health care professionals affect the quality of treatment of older people. The article also included a guide to improve patients’ privacy and dignity. Several aspects were included. When a patient or family member arrives on a ward or department, immediate contact will be made. They will be greeted by title and name and attention will be paid to their concerns. Another is that every patient will have access to an area to wash and use a lavatory and shower that are private and clean. Anyone who is unable to feed him or herself will be helped to food and drink. Everyone who needs to be undressed for an examination or investigation will be given the opportunity to change privately. These are just several suggestions to uplift the quality of the nursing care. The article is also keen in promoting the welfare of patients by constant and open communication between the patients and the health professionals. They are also aware of the much work needed to achieve the highest class of quality of health care, especially in terms of privacy and the dignity.         2. Demonstration of the Relevance of the Article to my Future Role and Professional Practice  This article has provided me with insights that dealing with the older patients generally needs more attention. It also suggests that the health care professionals should be sensitive not only to the medical needs of the patients but also to their dignity and privacy. The article was also able to give me ideas on why there is a need for open communication between the older patients and the health care professionals. In having such kind of communication, the patients will feel more secured and respected as human beings rather than patients alone. Older patients tend to want to hold on their control of their lives as long as possible. The older patients are going to require a less prejudiced person and a person who really understand that. The article was able to capture how the patients want to be handled in delicate situations. The role of a health service provider does not end on tending the medical needs of the older patients but also serving the ethical side of the profession. Patients do not only mean people who are availing of people to do their jobs but these are people who would need another person to help them enjoy the remaining parts of their lives. As a would – be health professional, I intend to accept new information to better serve my patients. While reading the article, I was also able to understand that special education also provides a more positive approach in handling older patients. These will in fact create a more professional approach without losing the word care in providing your services. The article has helped me realise that whether one is in a geriatric ward or in a general ward, it is most important to undergo trainings that can improve my perception with regards to elderly patients. The article enlightened me to the reality of trainings that are needed to improve health care professionals’ quality of service. In treating these patients, every health professional should be willing to accept suggestions in handling their patients. While going through the article, it also prepared health care professionals to face more challenges and how these challenges can be overcome. These are possible steps to raise the standards of the quality of health care. The article also made me give some thought to furthering my studies towards research. The researches would be to look for more ways to enrich the quality of health care profession as a whole. This means that the good quality should be able to transcend cultural boundaries and globally improve the health care service. All health care providers should be able to dedicate themselves in improving the quality of health service around the world. And this in fact is not just as impersonal as a profession but a future service that would be availed by everyone.   3. Demonstration of How I had used academic skills in the Selection, Reading and Writing of the Assignment In gathering this material, I realized that we should always consider how these can affect the people who would be affected, and the also how it can enrich your knowledge and wisdom regarding your profession and how relevant it is to your intended result. In selecting the materials it is important to understand the focus of your study and what you would like to know. One should also have a clear understanding of the boundaries of the study; this is to prevent irrelevant information from swaying you from your focus. The article that should be chosen should coincide with your interest as well as the availability of the material. The selection should not be very tedious because one has the tendency to be ambivalent and indecisive on which article to use. There should be some room for practicality as well. If an article is lengthy, and the reader is not sure if he or she has the time to read it; then there should be a consideration of choosing perhaps a shorter one. In reading the text, one should also notice the lines in between, without inserting their own interpretation. One should be able to observe the tone, the style and other aspects of the written text. It is important to establish first whether such work is formal or informal. There should also be an understanding of the source of the material, whether this from a secondary source or a primary source. The style of the written material should also be considered; whether it is a technical paper or a magazine article. The reader should be able to realize the background of the text. In reading a published text, it is important to consider the important notes to be taken down because it would come in handy if one is to report on the reading. In reading a technical text, it is also quite convenient to have a dictionary of the technical terms. It is also suggested that in reading one should have the complete attention on the text; thus, minimize the distractions. In writing this assignment, it is imperative that one should look at the impact of the article as a whole but must be written part by part. This is where the note taken down from the reading would come in handy. The written notes should be clearly labeled with pages (recommended for long articles). Most writers also employ the initial writing of outlines. These outlines provide a good flow of thought. The outline also makes it easier to structure the essay. Most of the times the outline also helps if there are important points that needs to be added in the text. There are also writers that recommend variations in words, but still suggest the use of simpler and shorter words. In constructing paragraphs, it is also suggested that there be a topic sentences. Another recommendation involves checking the whole written output. It is advisable to check the spelling and grammar for mistakes or if the output is long, then there are those who can proofread the text. And another suggestion is that have a lot of practice in writing. Thus, these are some academic suggestions that are required to achieve a powerful selection, reading and a relevant written output. Reflection There are several issues that concern the health profession as of today. This includes the quality of the health care service and privacy in some hospitals. The health care service is a global concern and any problems concerning this, is a problem for all. The health care professionals are called upon to address this problem. All the pertaining issues should be given ample attention. For example, in the recent article that I read there were suggestions on how they can address the matter. Some includes alleviating the examination standards. Some includes creating more sets of rules that should be introduced. Others suggest that there should be more training conducted for the health care professionals. There should be improvement plans employed to uplift this quality. I readily believe that these matters should be addressed by implementation. In order to create a higher standard for the patients, the health care practitioners should cooperate more to these policies. In adhering to these policies there are going to be more people availing of the services, more demand and thus, more individuals coming into the health profession. It suggested that the health care professionals should employ extensive and continuous training programs to ensure that the quality of these professionals is maintained, especially in the geriatric wards. And this should go beyond just one institution; it should include a global effort. These are important points that should be pondered upon. To create a global effect on the changes due, one should start thinking of innovative ways to check whether the patients are getting their desired way of treatment. This is especially true for those older patients. The issue on their privacy and dignity preservation should be addressed. Most of the time, these older patients are requiring more specialized care. Some people are keener on having a more private care. In one of the articles by Back E, Wikblad, he discussed that the privacy in sharing information regarding the patients are included. As cited by Wikblad, Street and love (2005) defines privacy as having the right to keep ones personal matters and relationships secret, and protecting personal information in the public sector. Thus, some argues that privacy is the non exposure of the private body of the patients in the hospital. This is normally coupled with the patients dignity being compromised during admission to hospitals. Health professionals, such as ourselves should be sensitive enough to understand these aspects and be able to respect the wishes of the patients. Upon realizing the need to respect the patients, we should also be able to know the proper decency in different place. There are places and time that we can perform necessary activities, and there are also points in time that we should postpone it for a while. If there are family members that the patient is not comfortable to be with during a session, then we should respect the patient whether he wants the activity done later or ask the other person to excuse the two of you for a while. In doing such, the patient would feel that he or she has not lost their dignity in front of another individual. Another suggested way is to ask the person how he or she wants to be addressed, some prefer to keep their last names, or some wants a more personal approach of being called by their first names. In the event that the health professionals are confused on the proper way of treating people, then one should practice common courtesy. While contemplating on such matters, it dawned on me that older patients who requires their dignity and privacy to be intact needs special care. Thus, respect for these individuals is important. Most of the times, they are also quite sensitive on their race, cultural background and sometimes, even their religion. Thus, to address the matter efficiently, we should not make assumptions. I thoroughly agree with this. In making assumptions, there is a danger of creating a major offense on the part of these patients. Another point that should be raised includes the open communication between the health care professionals and the patients. The carers should fully explain the patients situations and their options. According to Donaldson (2003), health care professionals should ensure that all discussions will be relevant to the patient’s care and will avoid personal comments or remarks. This is especially true if one is to discuss the end of life care. Reference: Back E, Wikblad K (1998) Privacy in Hospital. Journal of Advanced Nursing. Online J Issues Nurs. 2005;10(2) ©2005 Kent State University College of Nursing, http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/506842_2 Birrell J et al (2006) Promoting privacy and dignity for older patients in hospital. Nursing Standard. 20, 18, 41-46. Brodie, Sarah. How to Write a Good Essay http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Write-a-Good-Essay&id=921895 Donaldson L (2003) Letter – Patient Dignity and Privacy – Intimate Examinations. Department of Health http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:mX1qocdCp_0J:www.lcrpct.nhs.uk/site/Internet/PoliciesAndProcedures/Clinical/GeneralPolicies/0/GP005%2520-%2520Privacy%2520and%2520Dignity.pdf+Back+E,+Wikblad+K+(1998)+Privacy+in+hospital&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=ph Read More