Month: October 2021

When I think of electronic health records I think about the easy access and how easy it is to update patient information into them. It helps providers to share information about the patient easily, especially if the patient was admitted into different hospitals. It enables quick access for nurses as well so they can perform more coordinated and efficient care. However, there could be downsides to this such as computer hackers and how easy it is for anyone in the hospital to get into the records.

            Electronic health records will help doctors, nurses, care managers, and others to perform better care. HealthInfoNet is an online health record database that can be accessed by medical personnel who would need the patient’s information to perform better care. It is safe and the patients have a choice whether they want their information on record. In this case, I feel that it is a very good idea. If you think about it in a situation where a patient comes in unconscious and the hospital needs to do care or give medications, it would be very helpful if they can look at the patient’s medical record for their history, allergies, and anything else. HIE can also promote shared decision-making practices by providing different care teams with the patient’s information for them to have all the tools necessary to make their decisions. This can also identify major risk factors through routine screenings to prevent disease and lessen the severity of the illness.

            I learned the importance of electronic health records and how useful it can be when providing care. Looking up patient information especially before providing care to them will enhance their outcomes. I will make sure to look up patient information before going into their room in order to help give the best care to them. It would be very helpful to know their past medical history, allergies, the reason they are in, and any other past reasons for coming to the hospital. Electronic health records are very helpful for any medical staff providing patient care.

Using trauma-informed care is very important as a nurse to get to know your patients as a person and the things that happened in their life to make them who they are today. Using a trauma-informed care approach with help create rapport with your patient, resulting in better overall care and patient outcomes.

People experience and cope with trauma differently and that ends up influencing their psychological, physical, spiritual, environmental, and social well-being.  Trauma survivors end up having an increased risk psychological issues such as: depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. When most health care workers get patients who are suffering from one of these mental illnesses, they do not think about or ask about what could have happened in their lives for it to come to that. Having those conversations may give an understanding of how they are going to do in their plan of care. Suffering from those illnesses and carrying the weight of trauma may lead to a physical health decline. These patients may be constantly worrying, which takes away time that they could be caring for themselves. When it comes to the spiritual aspect, people who experience trauma may turn toward religion or away from it. Having a conversation with the patient about their beliefs and spirituality will help the nurse get a better understanding of their patient’s way of thinking and what could help guide them in their care. Trauma never truly leaves a person and being in the environment could trigger or bring up memories. These patients could be experiencing financial or other losses related to the trauma they experienced, which could affect their health and mentally and physically. Trauma survivors may have trouble in social situations or relationships. That is important to be aware of as the nurse, especially when forming a relationship and trust with the patient. It is crucial that the nurse has all of this in mind when caring for any patient, not just the ones with obvious trauma.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that happen in a person’s childhood. These experiences could include events involving violence, abuse, neglect, suicide, substance abuse, mental health problems, and more whether they directly experienced it or witnessed it. These experiences can be linked to future mental health issues. Someone who experienced trauma as a child may have a risk of developing mental illnesses and substance abuse issues in the future. It could have a negative impact on a person’s education, occupation, and health. It could also lead to a person going down the wrong path with alcohol, drugs, and violence affecting their future.  Depending on what they have experienced, they may also have trouble developing real relationships with people. They may have trouble trusting others and without others having a background that others may not take the time to let the trust develop. Understanding the prevalence of ACEs is important since it is more common than people think.

Everyone has a story, and everyone has gone through tough times which has shaped them as the person they are today. Understanding that when caring for a patient is very important to achieve the best patient-centered care. I will make sure to keep trauma-informed care in mind when caring for any patient as a nurse. My goal is to start having those uncomfortable conversations about trauma in order to get a better picture of my patient as a whole person. That would enable me to give the best care possible to that patient. I will aim to communicate clearly and be a person the patient feels comfortable talking to. I will not push any conversation on the patient that they are not ready for and be patient with them as they develop a trust with me.