A Reflection on National Safety and Quality Health Standards

Running head: NSQHS STANDARDS 1
A Reflection on National Safety and Quality Health Standards
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NSQHS STANDARDS 2
During my clinical practicum, I was able to undergo through both Direct clinical
observation as well as Direct clinical experience. In direct clinical observation, I directly
observed speech language pathology for 25 hours successfully (Falender & Shafranske, 2012).
For direct clinical experience on the other hand, I was able to cover a minimum of 375 hours
divided into several sessions and gained hand on experience. It is during these sessions that
theory learnt in class was put into actual practice in clinical settings. I aimed at gaining adequate
experience while simultaneously providing the highest quality patient centered care. It is also
during the practicum that I gained vivid understanding of various National Safety and Quality
Health Service Standards. Outlined henceforth is my understanding and experience on Blood
management standard and Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection Standard.
The primary aim of the Blood management standard is coming up with strategies to
handle identified risks so as to ensure that a patient’s blood is conserved and optimized to the
maximum (Thomas, Thompson, & Ridler, 2016). The standard also ensures that any other blood
receivable by a patient in the course of his/her treatment is safe and appropriate. It is also to my
understanding that this standard plays significant roles in ensuring that a patient is not exposed
unnecessarily to blood and blood products and therefore avoid any lethal effects that could result
from the same. Additionally, since usage of biological materials carry significant intrinsic risks,
it is elaborate to me that this standard oversees all actions aimed at minimization of the risks.
Such actions include; testing and screening of donors as well as blood donated and ensuring that
considerations for all treatment options, their benefits and risks have been made before arriving
at the final decision to carry out a transfusion.
Certain instances during my practicum made me gain the real insight on application and
implementation of this standard. It was during treatment of a critically ill patient suffering from a