University Healthcare: Promoting Clinical Practice Reflective Journal

This reflective journal explores critical incidents encountered in a clinical setting, focusing on promoting clinical governance, patient safety, and quality of care. The author details experiences with medication administration, highlighting the importance of informed consent, addressing personal fears, and the role of mentorship in skill development. The journal also examines incidents related to hand hygiene and patient empowerment, emphasizing the significance of assertive communication, creating awareness among colleagues, and strategies for empowering patients, particularly those with dementia. The author reflects on the importance of patient-centered care, good communication, and the development of health awareness programs. The journal references key literature that supports the concepts of clinical excellence, patient safety, and the promotion of quality healthcare standards within a supportive and learning-oriented environment.

Running head: PROMOTION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
Promotion for clinical practice
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1PROMOTION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
Clinical governance measures the culture and attitude of the healthcare professionals in
the identification and reporting of quality improvement that helps to establish an inclusive
learning and supportive working culture (Emery and Chang 2017). It accentuates the vitality of
providing the best quality of care to patients or clients in a secured environment that is central to
healthcare quality improvement and in accordance with the patient needs. It is aimed at
promoting clinical excellence and encourages proactive approach that inculcate the best practice
(Smith, Latter and Blenkinsopp 2014).
The incident took place when I was assigned to look after a patient who had an episode of
severe abdominal pain. I was given the opportunity to administer the morphine base pain
medication through intramuscular route and I achieved competency that was needed for
promoting clinical governance. Although, I had a previous negative experience of medication
administration, I discussed with my mentor and she encouraged me and empathized me to
combat my fear ad also provided constructive and positive feedback after the event. Prior to the
procedure, I took the patient’s informed consent and checked for allergies. I commenced with the
administration and was very comfortable and relaxed during the procedure. After the completion,
I got a positive feedback and in this way, I minimized the patient risk, maintained the quality of
standard care and got an opportunity to improve my skills and learn through the process and
promote highest quality care while working in well-supported partnership.
The ensuring of quality and safety of healthcare can be promoted through demonstration
of clinical excellence through patient safety and highest quality of healthcare. The incident took
place when I was placed in a surgical ward to remove the wound dressing through a non-touch
procedure. I was requested to stay until doctor comes for visit. I was alarmed to see that the
doctor came straight to the patient to examine the wound without using alcohol gel or washing

2PROMOTION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
hands. I was shocked and was concerned that sleeves of the shirt might be contaminated. By the
time, I would summon my courage, it was already late and doctor was gone. Later, I spoke to my
supervisor regarding the incident and was pleased to get a positive feedback. Finally, I ensured
that five moments of hand hygiene is important for ensuring patient safety and quality of
healthcare. This incident helped me to develop my assertive skills to ensure client well-being and
create awareness among my colleagues and frame strategies to achieve it (Lyle-Edrosolo and
Waxman 2016).
Empowering of patients or clients is also important, as they are also a part of the
therapeutic process. During my round at the ward, I heard a scream and saw a patient lying on
the floor. I was horrified by the incident and after settlement, I discovered that the patient was
suffering from dementia and lacked effective communication. The patient recovered and I
decided to empower him so that he can help himself with the activities of daily living (ADL). He
started responding to my care plan and was able to assist himself with ADL. For this, I organized
a health awareness program where I explained my colleagues that there should be good
communication between patients and caregivers to empower them and in conveying their
concerns to the caregivers in providing patient-centred care (Pulvirenti, McMillan and Lawn
2014).

3PROMOTION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
References
Emery, C. and Chang, J., 2017, July. Reflection in a new light: updating Gibbs' reflective cycle
on a foundation degree in healthcare sciences. In HEA Conference, generation TEF.
Lyle-Edrosolo, G. and Waxman, K.T., 2016. Aligning Healthcare Safety and Quality
Competencies: Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN), The Joint Commission, and
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet® Standards Crosswalk. Nurse
Leader, 14(1), pp.70-75.
Pulvirenti, M., McMillan, J. and Lawn, S., 2014. Empowerment, patient centred care and self‐
management. Health Expectations, 17(3), pp.303-310.
Smith, A., Latter, S. and Blenkinsopp, A., 2014. Safety and quality of nurse independent
prescribing: a national study of experiences of education, continuing professional development
clinical governance. Journal of advanced nursing, 70(11), pp.2506-2517.