Case Study: Analysis of Patient Deterioration in a Hospital Setting

This case study presents a scenario involving a 35-year-old man, Alex, who is admitted to a medical ward with flu and related symptoms, including fever, body aches, and nausea. The case study explores the patient's history, current treatment options (paracetamol and ibuprofen), and the episode of clinical deterioration, which includes the development of a urine infection due to unhygienic conditions. The discussion section analyzes the patient's condition, the lack of prompt nursing intervention, and the importance of hand hygiene. The case study further examines diagnostic studies (blood tests for influenza), nursing management of the deterioration, and reflection on the causes (unhygienic environment and staff negligence), actions taken, and lessons learned. References to relevant studies on hand hygiene and infection control are included, emphasizing the importance of a clean and hygienic environment in preventing patient deterioration and improving outcomes. The case study highlights the need for responsible behavior from healthcare staff to ensure patient safety and well-being.

Case Study

Cover content
• Introduction
 Case Study
 Discussion
 Reflection
 References

Introduction
Clinical deterioration shows the careless behavior of service
provider as well as hospitals which resulted in declining of
patient precondition. Basically, entire presentation is throwing
lights on one of the user who was fully affected by the worst
condition of clinic and encountered major health issue.

Case Study
35 year old Men who is get affected by flu (influenza) and facing
general health issues such as; instant fever, aching of body, dryness,
cough in chest, loss of appetite, tummy pain and being sick. Therefore,
he get admitted in Medical General Ward in order to get rid with these
problems by following each steps which are prescribed by clinical
practices.

Discussion
Patient name – Alex (A13)
History of present illness – He is suffering from flu and encountering
numerous of general health issues such as; body pain, fever, nausea,
exhausted, feeling tired, Diarrhoea, tummy pain and various other general
problems.

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Current treatment options – Paracetamol and ibuprofen are prescribed by
doctors for lowering the temperature as well as to minimize the body aches or
pains.
Need to drink plenty of water for ignoring dehydration problem (pee might be
light yellow or clear)
All these needs to be done by care providers for controlling the worst condition
of patient.

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Episode of deterioration explained – Alex has been already suffering from
flu but due to unclean wash-rooms of general wards, he get affected by Urine
infection as well. As a result, he is in a severe pain and fainted on his bed but
still care providers are busy in their gossip and even they are not observing
the worst condition of Alex.

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It can be seen from the illustration
that; washing hand is really crucial
before dealing with the patient. This
helps in reducing the chances of
further infection.

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Why did it occur- Due to irresponsible behavior of entire staff members and
unhygienic environment as well.
Relevant physical examination, diagnostic studies etc – Diagnostic studies are not
routinely used in the case of flu but in few clinical practices professional suggest
Blood test is most suitable technique of identifying whether a person is suffering from
influenza or not. The general symptoms of flu are fever, aching of body, nausea, loss
of appetite, tummy pain and being sick.

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Nursing management of the deterioration – Flu is a contagious infection
which is usually resolves spontaneously without having any medical
intervention. But in this procedure, it is required that nurses recognize its
symptoms and sign so that they can provide further services to patient
instantly. One major requirement of nursing management at this time is
clean and hygienic environment for patient.

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According to this diagram, it
has been analyzed that care
provider is busy in washing
whereas patient is facing a
severe pain.

Reflection
What was the likely cause?
Deterioration of patient condition as he get fainted on his bed and not able to walk properly because of Urine
infection.
What was done/not done which contributed to this event?
Nursing management failed in offering instant service to the Alex as they are fully unaware about her current
pain.
Was it picked up quickly?
No.

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Was there things that could have been done differently?
Things which surprised me is that; care provider are fully busy in their gossip
and don't even know the condition of Alex.
What did you learn from this?
One thing which I have learned from this entire situation is that; don't live in
unhygienic environment because small things can easily create major mess.

References
Costers, M and et. Al,, 2012. Four multifaceted countrywide campaigns to
promote hand hygiene in Belgian hospitals between 2005 and 2011: impact on
compliance to hand hygiene. Eurosurveillance, 17(18), p.20161.
Chassin, M.R., Mayer, C. and Nether, K., 2015. Improving hand hygiene at
eight hospitals in the United States by targeting specific causes of
noncompliance. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety,
41(1), pp.4-12.

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