Importance of Following Safety and Quality Standards in Healthcare Practice

This article discusses the importance of following safety and quality standards in healthcare practice using a case study analysis. It highlights the clinical practice issues during the treatment of the patient and the breaches in National Health and Safety Standards. It also emphasizes the significance of preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections and effective communication among stakeholders. The subject is clinical management and the course code is not mentioned. The college/university is not mentioned.

Running head: CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................2
Answer no. 1:...................................................................................................................................2
Answer no. 2:...................................................................................................................................3
Answer no. 3:...................................................................................................................................6
Preventing and controlling healthcare associated infections:......................................................6
effective communication among stakeholders:...........................................................................7
Answer no. 4:...................................................................................................................................9
Conclusion:....................................................................................................................................10
References:....................................................................................................................................11

2CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
Introduction:
The assignment would mainly be depicting the importance of following important safety
and quality standards by the healthcare professionals in the nation of Australia. It would mainly
associate a case study analysis in order to provide examples how improper and negligent care
delivery has the capacity to affect the life of patients and family members in negative ways.
Answer no. 1:
This paragraph would be discussing about the clinical practice issues during the treatment
of the patient. In the entire case study, a number of clinical issues were found to be present that
had resulted in a poor quality life of the patient. One of the most important clinical issues was
that during the time of giving birth to her third child, the patient was already recognized to be
suffering from cholelithiasis. However, the healthcare centre did not take any necessary steps to
help the patient get over the issue. In the next healthcare centre also, it was seen that the
professional completely failed to understand the severity of the situation of the patient and had
only provided her pain medication. Such situation further aggravated the health condition of the
patient and made her suffer from more pain the following day. Moreover, the second hospital
had not give her any medication treatment that she needed to follow in cases when her pain was
high in her home.
In the third hospital, a number of issues were identified which showed that the
professionals neglected their practices and were lack of proper organizational culture that
ensured safety health of patients. While the patient was staying at the hospital, it was seen that
the surgery was repeatedly postponed which resulted her to develop a secondary situation of
cholecysticis. Even after recognizing that the patient was suffering massively, the professionals

3CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
were careless and they took such surgery to be a casual one by keeping the other surgeries as
their first priorities. Their carelessness resulted in bursting of the gall bladder that created further
issues as the gallstones blocked the bile duct (Bansal et al., 2014). This complication was only
due to negligence of the healthcare professionals that resulted in suffering of the patient. Another
clinical issue that was observed that the healthcare professionals constantly kept the patient in a
fasting stage or in a very light diet stage as they were constantly postponing the surgery. This
resulted the patient in remaining empty stomach for a long time that was not only a fact of
negligence affecting human dignity but also weakened her largely. Therefore, all these issues
were noted in the case study.
Another issue that was observed is the wound infection of the patient that took place after
she was released from the healthcare centre. It was found that the patient has infection in the
drainage site and this was contributed to the improper wound dressing and wound management
of the nursing professional who was caring for the patient. The wound had inflamed and there
arose a risk for sepsis and this might have resulted in improper dry wound management that
should have been applied to her (Mikkonen et al., 2016). Moreover, it is the duty of the
healthcare professionals to care for the patients in ways so that they remain free from anxiety and
fear in the stages before operation is conducted and too not provide any sort of medication before
laparoscopic cholecystectomy would be conducted (Cherry & Jacobs, 2016). However, the
situation was such that it had the chance of raising her blood pressure that could have acted as a
barrier for surgery.

4CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
Answer no. 2:
This paragraph would discuss about all National Health and Safety Standards that have
been breached in Ysabel’s care. In the case study, a number of instances have been found which
shows that there had been breaches in the national health and safety standards that had been
published by Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care in the year 2017.
There was a complete breach in the maintenance of the clinical governance that is mainly seen to
describe the safety and quality systems. These are indeed important in the maintenance in the
reliability, quality as well as safety healthcare that would in turn help in the improvement of the
outcome of the patient (Auerbach et al., 2015).
It was seen that the patient was in severe situation where she needed Laparoscopic
cholecystectomy as the gall bladders had stones and had inflamed as well. However, the
professional neglected the surgery stating that they had more severe cases of surgery pending
that they have to attend first. This situation resulted in burning of gall bladder resulting in more
suffering for the patient. Another standard that was also breached is called the Preventing and
Controlling HealthcareAssociated Infection. This mainly helps in describing the systems as well
as strategies which would be helpful in the prevention of the infection or management of
infections. Limiting the development of the antimicrobial resistance through the prudent use of
the anti-microbial is also one of the best procedures for effective antimicrobial stewardships
(Scanlon et al., 2016).
In the case study, it was seen that the professionals did not perform the wound dressing at
the drainage site, might have handled site in ways without proper washing, or have used
unsterilized products that might have resulted in development of infection in the site. This
provided her very poor quality of life. Another of the guideline that has been breached is called

5CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
the Communicating for Safety that mainly includes the different types of strategies as well as the
systems that would be helpful in effective communication. This should take place between
patients, families and caregivers, multidisciplinary teams as well as clinicians and across
different health organization.
In the case study, it was seen that Tom who was the husband of the patient was taking
care of the three children who were very dependent on their parents. His wife was supposed to
be sent to surgery and Tom tried his best to remain in constant communication with the hospital
professionals. He wanted to know about the status of the surgery and everything that was
happening with the patient (Halcomb et al., 2016). However, most of the professionals who
attended the call were not being able to provide the exact current information about the patient
that resulted tom in not only being confused but also stressed and tensed abut health of her wife.
Moreover, one of the professional of the patient inquiry branch gave him a wrong information
about his wife stating that she had returned to the ward when in reality, the patient was still in
recovery room. Moreover, the nursing professional s attending the patient could not answer
tom’s questions that created anxiety in him.
All this resulted in mental harassment and anxiety of Tom. Another important arena that
also needs to be covered is the Recognizing and Responding to Acute Deterioration. This
standard mainly helps in incorporation of the systems and the processes that help in responding
effectively to the patients when not only their physical but also their mental as well as cognitive
conditions are seen to deteriorate (Braithewaite et al., 2016). In the case study also, the
professionals were seen to fail to identify the deterioration in the health of the patient and was
seen to be very casual in approach. They continued to postpone her surgery and did not assess
the condition of her gall bladder even knowing she was suffering from two of disorders. This

6CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
negligence resulted in the bursting of the gall bladders reasoning the galls tines that blocked her
bile ducts creating more issues for them (Halcomb et al., 2017).
Answer no. 3:
Preventing and controlling healthcare associated infections:
This paragraph would discuss about one of the standard of National Health and Safety
Standard called the preventing and controlling if infections. Preventing and controlling
healthcare associated infections is one of the most important aspects of nursing practice. It is
extremely significant for the maintenance of the safe environment for the patients and this is
mainly achieved by the reduction of the risks for potential spread of diseases not only from
person to person but also from patients to healthcare professionals and vice versa (Loveday et al.,
2014). A large number of consequences remain associated with that of hospital-acquired
infections as well as poor hand- hygiene practices. Many of the professionals also do not follow
the proper framework for the wound dressing or may not apply the correct method of wound
dressing like dry dressing or wet dressing according to the wound. This might result in number
of consequences on the social, physical as well as the financial conditions of the patients, their
carer and their family members. People who suffer from such form of infections have longer
hospital stays or they have to undertake readmissions in the hospitals for further treatment of the
wound infections (Herzig et al., 2016).
Both of these result in increased costs. Both the healthcare organizations had to spend
additional resources for this form of preventable disorders that could have been used effectively
for other patients with severe conditions. Moreover, it also results in huge financial flow from
the patents and the family members that also result in poor quality life of the family creating

7CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
stress and anxiety. Moreover such issues also results in depression and anxiety of the family
members as well as the patient when the patient is seen to suffer more unnecessarily due to
negligence of the service providers. Financial downfall, stress and anxiety of patients and family
members, preventable deaths in the healthcare centers, unnecessary flow of healthcare resources,
emotional and mental turmoil, legal obligations for the professionals and many other result from
such issues (Mody et al., 2015).
Therefore, it is very important for the healthcare professionals to abide by the guidelines
for prevention of and controlling of infection in the healthcare centers, take effective training
sessions for the development of skills and knowledge for infection control, development of
organizational culture influencing professional practices that influence effective practices. In the
case study, it was seen that the patient had developed wound infection that was giving her a hard
time. This might have been because the healthcare professional who was attending the patient
might not have followed hand hygiene, or wound management procedures or might have applied
wrong wound dressing protocols (Zingg et al., 2015). Therefore, the patient was to be admitted
again, this affected not only her won mental and physical health but also created huge issues for
both tom, and the children as it resulted in emotional turmoil for all of them. This exposes to
additional financial outflow of the family that could affect the quality of living of the patient and
her husband behind the anxiety, stress and fear that also follow.
effective communication among stakeholders:
This paragraph would discuss about one of the standard of National Health and Safety
Standard called the importance of effective communication among stakeholders. Communication
is one of the most tools in healthcare setting and has the capability to develop or worsen the
satisfaction of the patient along with affecting the safety and quality of the care provided to the

8CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
patient. Effective communication among the professionals is important to avoid medication error
and any form of missed interventions. It also prevents waiting times of the patients, helps in
effective documentation, proper delegation and others. This ensures effective teamwork and
hence safe and quality care that not only meets all the needs and requirements of the patients but
also enhances patient satisfaction (Foronda et al., 2016). Besides, effective communication both
verbal and non-verbal, are found to be extremely important for development of therapeutic
relationship with the patent.
When the nursing professionals are seen to communicate with the patients in a
compassionate and empathetic manner, the patients as well as their family embers feel that the
professionals are aware of their situations and are genuinely trying to help them in this situation.
The professionals need to keep the patients and their family members in the centre of the
decisions making process and they can provide respect to the dignity and autonomy of the patient
through effective communication (Koivunen et al., 2015). By communicating with the family
members and the patient, they can develop bonding and mutual trust among each other based on
respect and affection. Communication on the other hand also helps in solving queries of the
patient as well as the family members in case of informed consent or providing information
regarding the health of the patient or the time schedules fixed for the treatment of the patient. It
helps not only in solving queries but also in reduction of the anxiety and stress. Informed
consents help family members and patients to know about the interventions in details before they
are provided to the patients along with their pros and cons before they ask for consents of the
patients. This helps the patients and their family members to develop knowledge and ideas about
the interventions and thereby reduce stress and anxiety (Riley, 2015). Moreover, when they are

9CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
able to resolve their queries and get proper answers from the professionals regarding their health,
it also tends to prevent occurrence of tensions and stress.
Therefore, for achieving patient satisfaction, it is extremely useful for the healthcare
professionals to develop effective communication that will also ensure safe and effective
practice. In the case study, it is seen that Tom was not communicated properly by the healthcare
professionals, which were making him frustrated, as he was not able to know about conditions of
his wife (Gausvik et al., 2015). He was growing anxious and stressed. Moreover, the
departments and the healthcare professionals did not document and communicate among them
regarding the condition of the patient for which no one was able to solve the query of the patient
and her husband. This in a way affects the patient and family member satisfaction.
Answer no. 4:
This paragraph would be containing the recommendations. The healthcare authority
should ensure development of an organizational culture that would promote the maintenance of
had hygiene among the healthcare professionals and development and maintenance of
environmental hygiene. Effective screening of the patients according to their vulnerability
towards infection, assessing their risks for infection and accordingly ranging suitable
interventions for them would reduce chances of infection. Effective training session for
enhancing the knowledge and skills of the professionals regarding maintenance of safety through
proper hygienic maintenance, wound dressing management and safety and quality care would be
also helpful (Mody et al., 2015). The organizational culture should also be so that it promotes
blames free environment where professionals can report about improper practices and thereby

10CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
seek for guidance. The authority should also allocate sufficient resources for infection control to
the professionals.
For development of effective communication, training sessions would be held, evidence
based articles should be circulated, professionals may be asked to attend workshops, arrange for
feedback meeting sessions to develop communication skills among members and many others
(Gausvik et al., 2015).
Conclusion:
From the above discussion, it can be seen that effective communication, prevention, and
control of infection are two important arenas in healthcare. If two of the arenas were followed in
the case study, the patient and her family members would not have suffered emotionally,
physically as well as financially.

11CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
References:
Auerbach, D. I., Martsolf, G. R., Pearson, M. L., Taylor, E. A., Zaydman, M., Muchow, A. N., ...
& Lee, Y. (2015). The DNP by 2015: A study of the institutional, political, and
professional issues that facilitate or impede establishing a post-baccalaureate doctor of
nursing practice program. Rand health quarterly, 5(1).Retrieved from :
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5158236/
Bansal, V. K., Misra, M. C., Rajan, K., Kilambi, R., Kumar, S., Krishna, A., ... & Garg, P. K.
(2014). Single-stage laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and cholecystectomy
versus two-stage endoscopic stone extraction followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy
for patients with concomitant gallbladder stones and common bile duct stones: a
randomized controlled trial. Surgical endoscopy, 28(3), 875-885.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-013-3237-4
Braithwaite, J., Wears, R. L., & Hollnagel, E. (2015). Resilient health care: turning patient safety
on its head. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 27(5), 418-420.
https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzv063
Cherry, B., & Jacob, S. R. (2016). Contemporary nursing: Issues, trends, & management. Elsevier Health
Sciences. Retrieved from : https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=vzzdCwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=clinical+issues+in+nursing+pra
ctice&ots=mNse3owunw&sig=4E-

12CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
fe7OMu2iDVZhTsbrFPv8yRfc#v=onepage&q=clinical%20issues%20in%20nursing
%20practice&f=false pp:155
Foronda, C., MacWilliams, B., & McArthur, E. (2016). Interprofessional communication in
healthcare: An integrative review. Nurse education in practice, 19, 36-40.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2016.04.005
Gausvik, C., Lautar, A., Miller, L., Pallerla, H., & Schlaudecker, J. (2015). Structured nursing
communication on interdisciplinary acute care teams improves perceptions of safety,
efficiency, understanding of care plan and teamwork as well as job satisfaction. Journal
of multidisciplinary healthcare, 8, 33. Retrieved from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4298312/
Halcomb, E., Stephens, M., Bryce, J., Foley, E., & Ashley, C. (2016). Nursing competency
standards in primary health care: an integrative review. Journal of clinical nursing, 25(9-
10), 1193-1205. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13224
Halcomb, E., Stephens, M., Bryce, J., Foley, E., & Ashley, C. (2017). The development of
professional practice standards for Australian general practice nurses. Journal of
advanced nursing, 73(8), 1958-1969. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13274
Herzig, C. T., Stone, P. W., Castle, N., Pogorzelska-Maziarz, M., Larson, E. L., & Dick, A. W.
(2016). Infection prevention and control programs in US nursing homes: results of a
national survey. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 17(1), 85-88.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2015.10.017

13CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
Koivunen, M., Niemi, A., & Hupli, M. (2015). The use of electronic devices for communication
with colleagues and other healthcare professionals–nursing professionals’
perspectives. Journal of advanced nursing, 71(3), 620-631.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12529
Loveday, H. P., Wilson, J., Pratt, R. J., Golsorkhi, M., Tingle, A., Bak, A., ... & Wilcox, M.
(2014). epic3: national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated
infections in NHS hospitals in England. Journal of Hospital Infection, 86, S1-S70.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-6701(13)60012-2
Mikkonen, K., Elo, S., Kuivila, H. M., Tuomikoski, A. M., & Kääriäinen, M. (2016). Culturally
and linguistically diverse healthcare students’ experiences of learning in a clinical
environment: A systematic review of qualitative studies. International journal of nursing
studies, 54, 173-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2015.06.004
Mody, L., Krein, S. L., Saint, S., Min, L. C., Montoya, A., Lansing, B., ... & Rye, R. A. (2015).
A targeted infection prevention intervention in nursing home residents with indwelling
devices: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA internal medicine, 175(5), 714-723.
doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.132
Mody, L., Meddings, J., Edson, B. S., McNamara, S. E., Trautner, B. W., Stone, N. D., ... &
Saint, S. (2015). Enhancing resident safety by preventing healthcare-associated infection:
a national initiative to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections in nursing
homes. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 61(1), 86-94. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/civ23
Riley, J. B. (2015). Communication in nursing. Elsevier Health Sciences. Retrieved from:
https://books.google.co.in/books?

14CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
hl=en&lr=&id=SwndCwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=communication+in+healthcare
+nursing&ots=YZpk_9tmtF&sig=cL-
1K6IOLFi6vmx5AMuodUc6nhk#v=onepage&q=communication%20in%20healthcare
%20nursing&f=false pp: 372
Scanlon, A., Cashin, A., Bryce, J., Kelly, J. G., & Buckely, T. (2016). The complexities of
defining nurse practitioner scope of practice in the Australian context. Collegian, 23(1),
129-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2014.09.009
Zingg, W., Holmes, A., Dettenkofer, M., Goetting, T., Secci, F., Clack, L., ... & Pittet, D. (2015).
Hospital organisation, management, and structure for prevention of health-care-
associated infection: a systematic review and expert consensus. The Lancet Infectious
Diseases, 15(2), 212-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(14)70854-0