ASSIGNMENT ON REFELCTIVE ESSAY.

Running head: REFELCTIVE ESSAY
REFELCTIVE ESSAY
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

REFELCTIVE ESSAY
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Gibb’s reflection
In this paper I have used the Gibb’s reflection cycle for reflecting on an incident, which I
have encountered, during my placement in the acute ward. The reflection was based upon
infection control practice and is considered as a critical incident. According to the World Health
Organization, infection prevention and control is a scientific approach and practical solution that
has been designed for preventing harm caused by infection to the patients and the health care
workers (Khan, Ahmad & Mehboob, 2015). The rationale for adopting preventive measures is
due to the fact that hospital acquired infection affects five to ten percent of the hospitalized
patients in Australia each year, incurring hugs cost, resulting in almost 99,000 deaths, sparking
the healthcare cost to about $ 20 billion (Khan, Ahmad & Mehboob, 2015).
Description
While my placement in an acute ward, I was assigned to work for a seventy years old
man (Mr. Edward), who recently had an abdominal surgery. My job was to check the vital signs
of the patient, check and change his dressings. However, as a part of my job, I was asked to
remove his wound dressings, so that the doctor can assess the wound while he was on round.
I removed the dressing and performed sterilization, and cleaned it using a non –touch
method. I was mindful about disinfecting my hand by using the alcohol based hand sanitizer.
After assessing and dressing the wound, I made sure that I sanitize my hands. However, after
discarding the soiled clothes, I went to my next patient without even bothering, that I did not
adhere to the five moments of hand hygiene. After I had discarded the soiled dressing with my
own hands, I forgot to disinfect my hand and went on to attend my new patient. I also realized,

REFELCTIVE ESSAY
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that while approaching Mr. Edward, I also did not greet him or did not ask for his consent before
carrying out the entre procedure.
Feelings
I was extremely perturbed, after I was being informed about my mistake by my
supervisor. I was angry with my own action, as I had always been mindful about the infection
control guidelines of the organization. I felt intimidated because, I had expected that I had gained
enough experience, being a nursing student, and I have never committed such a grave mistake. I
was frightened thinking, this mistake on my part can be dangerous for the entire organization. I
also did not want my name to be escalated to the higher authority as my supervisor had been
monitoring me thoroughly. Thankfully, the news was not escalated and no news of new infection
has been reported.
Evaluation
The situation was challenging and although my mentor pointed out the mistake, he made
it sure that I was not demoralized, so he appraised me for the fact, that I have done the dressing
with excellent precision and accuracy. I did not lack confidence during the entire procedure
except the fact for maintaining the hand hygiene. I am pleased that my mentor gave an honest
feedback, so that I develop mindfulness while doing any medical procedure. I have also learned
that theoretical knowledge is necessary, as it serves as a framework for providing perspective
and guidance to the research study, but it is the and on practice to evaluate the actual clinical
skills required in nursing. One of thing that, I have understood is that nurses should use a range
of communication techniques to develop therapeutic relationship with the client. Simple greeting
patients prior to any procedure makes the patient feel valued. In a word quality care starts with