Reflection on Understanding of NSQHS Standards in Nursing Practice

Running head: NURSING
Nursing
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

1NURSING
Reflection on understanding of two of the NSQHS standards based on patient care
experiences
Based on my past clinical experience in nursing practice, I can say that I have good
understanding regarding the NSQHS nursing standards 4 and 6 as I have experience in building
therapeutic relationship with patient, working collaboratively with the nursing team and linking
theory to practice during medication administration. I can give an idea regarding my knowledge
in the two standards based on two occasions when I worked with two patients in an acute care
clinical placement and a mothers and baby unit (MBU). The experience of providing care to two
patients in two different clinical setting will be discussed to define my knowledge regarding
medication safety standards and the communication for patient safety standard.
Description:
During my placement at the MBU unit of a hospital, I was assigned under the care of
Mrs. Williams (hypothetical name because of confidentiality criteria) who was admitted in the
psychiatric ward because of symptom of post natal depression. As per the patient’s handover
report given to me, I was supposed to assess mental status of the patient and administer anti-
depressants to the patient under the supervision of my mentor. I fulfilled the standards required
for medication safety by following the rights of medication administration and engaging in
positive interpersonal interaction with patient. Furthermore, my experience of providing care to
Mr. X (hypothetical name), a patient with asthma at an acute care clinical placement, developed
my understanding regarding communicating for patient safety and working collaboratively with
the nursing team.
Feelings:

2NURSING
While being assigned for the care of Mrs. William, I was very nervous because it was the
first time that I was administering medication myself. Safely administering medication is a
challenging task in a psychiatric ward because of challenges in interpersonal interaction and the
need to adjust dose of medication to prevent psychiatric symptoms. However, following basic
principles of medication administration helped me to effectively deliver medications
(Hemingway et al., 2015). I was also reflecting on the mentor’s advice that was given during
previous simulation experience for medication administration. In case of the placement at acute
care hospital, it was a busy ward and I was anxious because everything was going at a fast pace.
I was afraid that communication errors might arise in such busy ward.
Evaluation:
According to NSQHS medication safety standard, it is essential to have a protocol and
organization wide system in place for medication safety (Australian Commission on Safety and
Quality in Health Care, 2012). I used the six right of safe medication administration protocol to
safely administer medication. I started with confirming patient identity and matching it with the
patient order. Right medication for the right patient was judged by matching the medication level
with the order. I also carefully review the medication order to match the dosage criteria while
providing the medication to patient. I was also aware regarding the interval at which the
medication needs to be provided and inquired from the patient too regarding time when she took
the last medication. The route of administration was followed and I also recorded the
administration of medication along with the timing on the medication chart. During my end of
shift, I gave the document to handover nurse and also informed them regarding observation of
any side effects and the next timing of medication too. According to Smeulers et al. (2015),