Acute Care Data Analysis and Research

This assignment focuses on analyzing acute care data related to various medical conditions, specifically emphasizing traumatic brain injury (TBI). It delves into research papers exploring TBI epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, long-term consequences, and predictive models for rehabilitation needs. The dataset likely includes information about patient demographics, injury severity, physiological variables, imaging results, and treatment interventions. Students are expected to critically evaluate the presented research, identify trends and patterns in the data, and draw conclusions about the management and impact of acute brain injuries within the healthcare system.

IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF A PATIENT’S CASE
STUDY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction of the patient ...............................................................................................................3
Brief summary of the patient (medical history and acute care episode)..........................................3
Why this patient is considered as complex .....................................................................................3
Two core acute care nursing concepts ............................................................................................3
Nursing management of the patient ...............................................................................................4
Justification of the nursing management ........................................................................................5
Acute Care Nursing Concept...........................................................................................................6
Strengths and weaknesses of the nursing management process .....................................................7
Current workplace system for nursing management of patient ......................................................7
Best practice guidelines for current workplace systems .................................................................8
Areas of improvement in nursing management of patient...............................................................9
Conclude the analysis with some recommendations for future practice .........................................9
References ....................................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION OF THE PATIENT
The present study is about a 6 years and 5 months old patient who was brought in ER
because of Road Traffic Accident. The patient also got multiple injuries on head and neck
region. After reaching into the stage of stabilization, the patient was taken to Operation Theatre
Disectomy and Anterior Epidural Heamatoma was also carried out. Afterwards, the patient got
shifted into PICU and is also attached to mechanical ventilator with tracheostomy tube. At this
stage, supportive medical care is provided to the patient.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PATIENT (MEDICAL HISTORY AND ACUTE CARE
EPISODE)
As per the diagnosis, the patient is involved in Road Traffic Accident and is also on
mechanical ventilation. Tracheostomy, Quadriplegia and Disectomy are also identified while
analysing the situation of the patient. In addition to the same, breathing is also irregular which
leads to unconscious state in the patient (Taylor and et.al., 2016). Medication such as Lactulose,
Fusidic Acid, Nitrofurantoin and Multi-vitamins are given to the patient. Prior, admitting the
patient in the hospital, requirement of acute care episode is conducted to lead for better and
quality services. The condition of the patient is getting worst; hence appropriate attention is
required to be given at the same time.
WHY THIS PATIENT IS CONSIDERED AS COMPLEX
In the present case, the patient is termed as complex because several health problems are
occurring in the patient at a time (Murphy and Duhaime, 2016). In order to improve health
conditions of the patient, it is essential for the care providers to ensure that suitable services are
being delivered. Thus, relating to the present case, patient has been experiencing complex issues
because of road and traffic accident. Moreover, according to patient’s medical history, certain
changes are arising in the present health status.
TWO CORE ACUTE CARE NURSING CONCEPTS
According to primary assessment, there are two core acute nursing concepts that needs to
be given much importance so that health status of the patient can be managed suitably. Thus,
according to ABCDE concept, suitable approaches are required to be considered so as to manage
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nursing intervention in suitable manner (McNamee, 2016). Therefore, focus will be laid on such
things:  Breathing: Under this dimension, respiratory rate will be checked on frequent
basis so that patient’s capacity of inhaling oxygen can be ascertained. Moreover, in
this context increase in chest effort will also be ascertained at the same time (Palant,
Amdur and Chawla, 2017). Since, the patient has tachypnea and because of that the
issue of bleeding is increasing which can further lead to anemia. Therefore, this may
enhance other health issues in the patients.
 Exposure: It is the final component of the primary assessment in which entire
assessment of the body is included (Bogert and et.al., 2017). Thus, in this respect
cervical spine precaution is required to be maintained due to serious injuries. At the
time of having any serious injury, it is essential for the nurses to conduct a stern
conduct so that affected area can be ascertained accordingly. All the conditions of
patient is required to be ascertained suitably so that to avoid hypothermia.
NURSING MANAGEMENT OF THE PATIENT
Nursing management of patients
Head injury
What happened
 As per the current assessment, the patient has severe head injury; therefore it is essential
for the practitioners and nurses to give all such medications through which such issue
may not get raised. At the same time, it can also be said that along with proper
medication, patient should also get support in diverse contexts (Bragge and et.al., 2016).
 For instance- nurses should maintain a patent airway because it assist with endotracheal
intubation. Assistance can also be taken through using side rails which could protect the
patient from further injury. Nurses should also ensure to assist the patient by giving
walking aid. Nurses can also insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
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 Additionally, when the patient gets unconscious, nurses can also insert a nasogastric
tube for the purpose of preventing aspiration. Henceforth, according to the same, it is
essential for nurses to monitor patient’s intake and output in suitable manner for the
purpose of maintaining a normovolemic state. Along with head injury, focus shall also
be laid on other injuries which can cause severe impact on the health dimension.
 It is also crucial for the nurses to observe the patient regarding issues related to
dizziness, irritability and anxiety (McNamee, 2016). This is also crucial for the purpose
of monitoring fluid and electrolyte levels that replaces the blood level as prescribed.
 Focus shall also be given on CSF leakage as then only appropriate care can be delivered.
In the same way, the patient should be asked to return to the hospital if he experiences
persistent worsening headache along with blurred vision.
Irregular breathing
 According to the health diagnosis, it can be said that the patient is having issue because
of irregular berating which is also affecting the lungs and eventually it is inhibiting
breathing capacity of the person. Moreover, in this context nurses are required to
conduct nursing diagnosis so as to analyse if there is any decrease in the lung expansion
(Lund and et.al., 2016).
 Along with the same, focus shall also be laid on pain and anxiety aspects which brings
more changes in the health conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to have appropriate
analysis about inflammatory process because accidents must have affected the patient’s
internal body parts. The nurse should also involve the patient in treatment process so
that suitable changes can be made accordingly.
 Changes also needs to be carried out in airway; hence for that nurses should stabilize the
C-spine with in-line immobilisation (Kawai and et.al., 2016). There must be proper
analysing about health disability as well as then only patient’s internal and external
capability can be ascertained.
 This is also essential for the purpose of protecting airway from aspiration; thus in such
consideration bag-valve mask is required to be used to assist the process of ventilation.
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The inflow and outflow of air should be adhered accordingly so that further issues of the
patient can be resolved appropriately. Nurses should adopt all such intervention through
which breathing process can be strengthened as per the determined pattern.
JUSTIFICATION OF THE NURSING MANAGEMENT
The above mentioned nursing intervention are being selected as the patient is having
several injuries due to road accident. Along with head injury, the patient is experiencing different
issues as well; therefore it can be said that chief emphasis should be laid on removing the level of
pain that exist in the patient (Bernard, Loeslie and Rabatin, 2016). Due to this health state, the
state of unconsciousness usually appears and as a result patient get weaker. Due to road traffic
accident, head injury is caused to the patient; therefore chief focus shall be laid on managing
internal functioning of the brain. Since, brain is entitled to manage all the functions of the body;
therefore it is essential for the nurses to ensure that suitable remedies are being given to the
patient. In addition to the same, patient is also having other injuries; therefore suitable care
should be given accordingly (Bogert and et.al., 2017).
Along with the same, it is vital for the nurses and care practitioners to ensure that proper
airway management is being conducted as the patient is on mechanical ventilator. Furthermore,
in this regards, it is evident that while shifting the patient in PICU, proper diagnosis is being
carried out as then only supportive medical care can be delivered. Therefore, under acute care
concept, focus will be laid on airway to manage berating exposure and along with this, chest
movement will also be managed accordingly. Similar to this, it will also aid in reducing berating
related issues; hence air movement will be managed suitably (Bragge and et.al., 2016). Chest
expansion is one of the symptoms that could arise in the present case; therefore in this respect
proper emphasis should be laid on breathing.
Since, focus will also be laid on exposure; therefore considering the same proper physical
examination will be carried out accordingly (Davies and Doyle, 2016). The patient might be
having diverse injuries along with head injury; therefore considering the same prominent
preventive methods should be adapted accordingly. The issues of hypothermia can be avoided in
the same way in which it is crucial for the nurses to conduct direct analysis about the exact
situation. Physical examination is necessary so that overall health prospects can be ascertained
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and this is also imperative in terms of protecting the patients from other injuries (Hubbard and
et.al., 2016). While on the other hand, skin bruises because of road accident shall also be
analysed as that may impact the health dimensions of patient. The chances of trauma also exist in
the present case because of head injury; henceforth all the associated health issues are required to
be analysed accordingly.
ACUTE CARE NURSING CONCEPT
Typically, Acute care Nursing stream provides assistance in clinical practice in which
nurses are delegated diverse cases especially when they have knowledge about advanced nursing
practices. In this process, focus shall be laid on exploring emerging treatment for the patient so
that health issues can be managed (Kawai and et.al., 2016). Thus, according to the defined health
status, it is essential for the nurses to ensure that all the practices related to patient service is
managed in the best possible manner. Moreover, it can also be said that with the help of acute
care nursing, chief focus should be given in injuries which could affect the health of patient for
longer period. Head injuries are common reason for which patients usually visit to emergency
department and at the same time, it requires suitable treatment as well.
In the present study, the patient is 6 years old; therefore it is vital to conduct early
diagnosis as late diagnosis and intervention is a major factor that could influence the decision to
adopt a clinical strategy (Kim and et.al., 2016). Therefore, according to the health aspects for
head injury, it is essential for the nurses to adopt consistent approach so that suitable services can
be delivered accordingly. This is also vital in analysing the long term consequences of head
injury. In this respect, proper emphasis should be given on physical attributes of a child’s skull as
that showcases the exact situation of the brain. Fractures and other issues could also arise
accordingly; hence suitable analysis is required to be conducted accordingly.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE NURSING MANAGEMENT PROCESS
In the above section, two different nursing management processes are being defined
wherein one is focusing on head injury and the other one is emphasising on breathing issues.
Therefore, both are major health issues prevailing in the patient. In order to manage such issues
prominently, it is vital for the nurses and care providers to adopt quality measures so that suitable
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services can be rendered accordingly (Lauritzen and Strong, 2017). Focus on airway will also aid
in managing oxygen capacity and meanwhile it can change the health prospects.
Furthermore, in the same dimension, it is clear that issues related to breathing also needs
suitable consideration as that might hamper functioning of liver and lungs both. However, chief
focus should be given on controlling and monitoring so that areas of improvements can be
identified accordingly (Lund and et.al., 2016). This is also suitable in terms of adopting effective
measures for health dimensions. Therefore, in this respect it can be said that according to the
nursing intervention, nurses are required to consider various things into account to treat the
patient in the best possible manner.
CURRENT WORKPLACE SYSTEM FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT OF PATIENT
Analysing the current workplace system, it can be said that at present, only a few services
are available at the care home; therefore improvements and modifications are essential in the
same way. Moreover, in a few areas, nurses should get training as well so that they can deliver
suitable and quality associated services to the 6 years old patient (McNamee, 2016). Moving on
to safety and security aspects, it can also be said that nurses should develop safe and secure
environment. Similarly, this can also aid in reducing other issues prevailing at the workplace.
Nurses should also give consideration towards availability of tools and techniques so that
suitable services can be delivered. Therefore, prior delivering any health care service, it is
essential for the nurses to ensure that staff members have the information to deal with all tools
and equipment. In this way, suitable care amenities can be delivered to 6 years old patient
(McArdle, Hyon and Thielman, 2016). Therefore, it can be said that suitable changes are also
required in the same dimension so that value of services can be underpinned accordingly.
Accident has happened in South Arabia and comparison has been made between international
and Australian Guidelines. National safety and quality health service standard 8 mentions about
preventing and managing pressure injuries. Major intention for this standard is to prevent
patients so that they could not develop pressure injuries. Patients who have pressure injuries are
prevented, for them prevention strategies are implemented when it is clinically required and
indicated. In any work place system various policies, procedures and other protocols should be in
used that are consistent with the best practices and guidelines. Use of procedures, policies and
protocols is regularly monitored. Action required should include An organisation wide system
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for reporting pressure injuries in use. It is also mentioned that actions should be used for
reducing the frequency and for the severity of pressure injuries. Along with this it is required that
equipments and devices should be available for effectively implementing the prevention
strategies.
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR CURRENT WORKPLACE SYSTEMS
Present case is from a Hospital in South Arabia and due to that reason comparison has
been made in the international and Australian guidelines. There are varied dimensions and
aspects that are required to be considered during management of workplace system. In this
respect, focus should be laid on health and safety dimensions so as to avoid the chances of
accidents and uncertainties. Patient’s safety and quality of care is crucial; hence according to
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, nurses are ought to promote education
and training among the colleagues. This way support can be delivered to others in different ways
(Murphy and Duhaime, 2016). As per the NSW health (2011) Nutritional policy, status of a
patient may vary over the time as they stay in the hospital for the issues that are associated with
the needs of clinically ill patients. It is critical that Nurses should make it ensure that nursing
staff in the Hospital should provide with the scope for practices. It is also required that Nurses
should keep themselves UP to date about the importance of areas that are included in Nursing
practices.
Guidelines given by Australian commission on health and safety :- As per Australian
Commission on Safety and Quality care should be provided to patients that is easy for them to
get. It is required that health care staff members should respect and respond to the needs, values
and choice of patients. National safety and quality Health service standards describes about
quality framework that is been required by several health service organisations to implement safe
systems. Along with this National safety and quality health service standard 2 mention about
describing the systems and strategies for including the consumers for developing the quality
healthcare. In Health Care, it can be said that there must be suitable emphasis on risks and for
that specific procedure is required to be followed. Moreover, in the same context, this will also
assist in maintaining patient’s safety and security aspects.
It is the duty of the health care practitioners to ensure that safe and secure culture is being
developed at the workplace; henceforth performance should be reviewed accordingly. This is
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also essential for managing diversified changes in health care services. Nonetheless, all the
defined protocols and policies should be adhered accordingly so as to prevent legal aspects of the
health care entity. The guidelines also states at workplace, clinical governance framework should
be adopted accordingly so that risks and challenges can be avoided (Palant, Amdur and Chawla,
2017). There must be proper reporting of the issues prevailing in the organisation as that can
only aid in ensuring that proper actions are taken to minimize and eradicate such challenges.
Therefore, according to the performance changes, it is essential for the nurses and care
practitioners to implement new and diverse ways of delivery services.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT IN NURSING MANAGEMENT OF PATIENT
The above mentioned nursing management is for patient who has severe injuries because
of road accident; therefore in this context it can be said that several aspects needs to be
considered on appropriate basis. Nurses must have to focus on quality dimensions so that patient
can get recovered as soon as possible (Stein, Feather and Napolitano, 2017). Moreover, in this
respect it is also crucial for the nurses to conduct monitoring and continuous evaluation so that
changes can be made to the health dimensions. As mentioned in the above section, focus has
been laid on two basic aspects of acute care such as- culture in practice and clinical
specialization. Thus, in both the aspects, it is evident that there must be suitable assessment of
health condition of the patient so that proper remedies can be adopted accordingly. Culture in
practice states that nurses must adopt suitable culture while delivering the services as then only
best interest of the patient can be maintained.
At the same time, it is also vital for the nurse to ensure that family members of the patient
are being involved in decision making process as they possess the right to be informed. Suitably,
this can aid in developing better understanding among patient and nurse. Moreover, it can also
underpin service delivery aspects (Stock, Cowie, Chan, Cullen and Colantonio, 2016). Along
with the same, it is also crucial for nurses to focus on clinical specialization because that aids in
managing health aspects in suitable manner. Further, this can also encourage health professionals
to encourage the health dimensions in the society. Thus, in terms of areas of improvement, it can
be said that along with professionalism, ethical and legal prospects are also required to be
considered at the same time. This is also useful in supporting care provisions.
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CONCLUDE THE ANALYSIS WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE
PRACTICE
Thus, summing up the entire nursing process, it can be said that because of suitable
nursing care, the patient can be protected from other injuries and health issues. In every care
provision, it is essential for the nurses to consider safety and quality in health aspects as then
only, valuable services to the patients can be delivered (Thackeray and et.al., 2016). Thus,
according to legal prospects, it is significant to consider that patients and carers have an
important role to play in the safe delivery of health care.
In addition to the same, it is also essential for the clinical workforce to deliver high
quality health care services. However, in the present case all the important dimensions of service
delivery process are being considered; still there are many areas which needs improvement for
betterment of the services (Taylor and et.al., 2016). Therefore, in this context it can be said that
health care can be improved when patients and carers comply with all the legal aspects in
suitable manner. Henceforth, several things are required to be considered in this respect which
can also underpin health care needs of the patients. There should be proper recording of each and
every event so that suitable care services can be delivered accordingly.
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