Archive for November, 2009

Standard Infection Control Procedures

Monday, November 30th, 2009

As a nursing assistant, you will need to be vigilant at all times about taking certain precautions to prevent the spread of infection. Standard precautions include the following:

Wearing gloves. In the of duty, you will come into contact with blood, bodily fluids, and secretions, broken skin (abrasions, acne, cuts, stitches, or staples), or mucous membranes (linings of the mouth, nose, eyes, vagina, rectum, and penis). You may be involved in mouth care, bathroom assistance, perineal care, or helping with a bedpan, urinal, or other containers for bodily fluids.

Wash your hands frequently. You will wash your hands before putting on gloves and immediately after removing them. Be careful not to touch clean objects with used gloves.

Remove gloves immediately after finishing a procedure.

Immediately wash all skin surfaces that have been contaminated with blood and bodily fluids.

Wear a disposable gown if you may come into contact with blood or other fluids.

Wear a mask and protective goggles if you may have come into contact with splashing or spraying blood or bodily fluids.

Wear gloves and use caution when handling razor blades, needles, or other sharp objects.

Never attempt to cap needles or other sharp objects. Instead, dispose of them in an approved container.

Avoid nicks and cuts. Always be careful when shaving residents.

Carefully bag all contaminated supplies. Dispose of them according to your facility’s policy.

Clearly label all bodily fluids that are being saved for a specimen with the resident’s name and a biohazard label. Keep them in a container with a lid.

Dispose of contaminated wastes according to your facility’s policy.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in STNA Classes | 5 Comments »

Barriers to Communication

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

One of the most important, and most challenging, aspects of your career as a nursing assistant will be communication. Unfortunately, communication with your residents can be blocked in several ways.

Resident does not hear you, does not hear correctly, or does not understand. The best thing you can do in this situation is to face the resident directly and speak at a slower pace. Speak clearly and do not mumble.

Resident is difficult to understand. Be patient and take the time to listen to what the resident is saying. Politely ask your resident to repeat or explain. Restate the message in your own words to ensure that you heard correctly.

Message contains words that the receiver does not understand. Do not use medical jargon with residents. Use simple and clear language that can easily be understood.

Do not use slang words and do not curse. Slang can confuse the message and is not always easily understood, plus it is considered unprofessional. Do not curse or use profanity, even if the resident does.

Avoid cliches. These are overused words and phrases that doesn’t actually have meaning. Instead, listen to what is actually being said and respond with a meaningful message.

Giving advice is inappropriate. Giving advice or opinions is outside of your realm of expertise as a nursing assistant, is inappropriate, and can be dangerous.

Asking “why” makes residents feel defensive.

Asking yes/no questions are conversation killers. Rather than asking a resident if they slept well, try asking, “how did you sleep last night?”

Get to know your residents and respect what they want/don’t want to talk about.

Culture can also affect conversation. These are learned behaviors that are influenced by outside sources, such as a person’s background, values, and language.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in STNA Classes | No Comments »

Defining Professionalism

Sunday, November 15th, 2009
In no field more than in nursing will you hear the word “professionalism” used on a regular basis. For the record, it is has nothing to do with how you live your life outside of your job.  Instead, professionalism is a set of standards as to how you do your job – how you dress, how you do your job, the words you use, and what you talk about.
Professionalism with a resident includes:
Keeping a positive attitude
Doing only the tasks you are trained to do
Keeping residents; information confidential
Being polite and cheerful at all times
Not discussing your personal problems
Refraining from using profanity
Listening to a resident
Calling residents by proper titles
Always explaining care before you give it
Following practices, such as hand washing, to protect both you and the residents.
With an employer, professional behavior includes:
Completing tasks efficiently
Following all policies and procedures
Careful and correct documentation
Reporting anything that keeps you from completing duties
Asking questions when you do not understand something
Objectively taking directions and criticism
Being clean and neatly dressed and groomed
Always being on time
Telling your employer if you cannot report for work
Following the chain of command
Participating in education programs
Being a positive role model
Above all else, professional behavior involves putting your patients’ needs above your own and always maintaining a positive image to your employer, as well as to your patients and their families.

In no field more than in nursing will you hear the word “professionalism” used on a regular basis. For the record, it is has nothing to do with how you live your life outside of your job.  Instead, professionalism is a set of standards as to how you do your job – how you dress, how you do your job, the words you use, and what you talk about.

Professionalism with a resident includes:

  • Keeping a positive attitude
  • Doing only the tasks you are trained to do
  • Keeping residents; information confidential
  • Being polite and cheerful at all times
  • Not discussing your personal problems
  • Refraining from using profanity
  • Listening to a resident
  • Calling residents by proper titles
  • Always explaining care before you give it
  • Following practices, such as hand washing, to protect both you and the residents.

With an employer, professional behavior includes:

  • Completing tasks efficiently
  • Following all policies and procedures
  • Careful and correct documentation
  • Reporting anything that keeps you from completing duties
  • Asking questions when you do not understand something
  • Objectively taking directions and criticism
  • Being clean and neatly dressed and groomed
  • Always being on time
  • Telling your employer if you cannot report for work
  • Following the chain of command
  • Participating in education programs
  • Being a positive role model

Above all else, professional behavior involves putting your patients’ needs above your own and always maintaining a positive image to your employer, as well as to your patients and their families.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in STNA Classes | No Comments »

What is Patient Abuse?

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

Patient abuse is a term that seems to be casually thrown about, but what does it mean? It is a serious offense that, when committed, must be promptly addressed.

The word ’abuse’ typically means any act or absence of action inconsistent with prescribed patient treatment and care that violates the well-being or dignity of the patient.” The most common types of abuse include:

Verbal Abuse. This is any verbal communication which violates the well-being or dignity of the consumer, such as yelling, harassment, intimidation or threats, cursing or foul language, nicknames that are not requested by the patient, ridiculing, AND any remark that is intended to upset or provoke a negative response by the patient.

Abuse by Failure to Act. This includes neglecting the care of the patient which results in physical or psychological harm. It may be committed by an employee failing to provide authorized and prescribed treatment or by failing to intervene when a consumer needs assistance in order to maintain his or her physical or mental well-being.

Condoning Abuse. This is when an employee permits abusive conduct (verbal or physical) toward a consumer by any staff, patient, or any other person.

Physical Abuse. This occurs when a staff member shoves, pushes, trips, or uses any type of physical force which is unnecessary or excessive.

Sexual Abuse. This includes any contact, verbal or physical, of a sexual nature between a staff and patient. This also includes a staff members failure to discourage sexual advances toward staff by a patient. Sexual abuse also includes a staff member permitting the sexual exploitation of a patient by another patient.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in STNA Classes | No Comments »