Clinical Principles Flashcards
What to do if you don’t understand an abbreviation used in Pt notes
- Ask a more qualified colleague/supervisor
- Check credible medical textbook/dictionary
- Check workplace policies/procedures
Benefit of checklists
- Ensures all tasks get completed and not forgotten/done twice
- Breaks down large tasks into small steps
- Helps follow a sequence of tasks in a logical and efficient manner
- Ensures accountability due to having set responsibilities written down
- Allows for shared understanding between
team members to know what’s already done and what’s still left to do
What to do if you get an error or very abnormal reading on a measurement?
- Explain to Pt there has been an error, ask for consent to do it again
- Check equipment isn’t faulty
- Ask a more qualified colleague to do it again with the Pt’s consent
How to maintain Pt confidentiality
- Make sure no one else is listening when discussing private info
- Don’t leave notes lying around
- Only pass on info to those that need to know
- Talk quietly
- Only discuss relevant/appropriate info without passing judgement
- Use passwords if electronic notes
- Turn notes upside down
How should you prepare before a Pt consultation?
- Ensure the room is clean and free of clutter
- Gather necessary equipment and sterilise/clean if necessary
- Read over Pt’s file to refresh
- Apply PPE if necessary
- Ensure conditions are comfortable in the room e.g. temp/lighting
What should you do after a Pt consultation?
- Correctly dispose of any waste (e.g. sharps bin for needles)
- Sterilise/clean used equipment and store it away
- Update patient notes
- Ensure room is clean and free of clutter for the next patient
How to gain informed consent for a treatment or procedure
- Explain exactly what you will be doing and why, including the risks and benefits
- Explain how they may feel during the procedure (e.g. the cuff may get a little
tight around your arm during a blood pressure reading) - Receive consent to proceed (e.g. a direct “yes” or an action such as nodding the head)
- If under 16, ensure a parent or guardian is present who also consents
- if they are under 16 and can demonstrate sufficient understanding of what the process will involve as well as the benefits
and risks, parental consent is not required
What is triaging and why is it important to triage patients?
- Triaging = the process of ranking patients based on the severity of their condition
- This is important to ensure that more serious/severe conditions are treated first
When is consent not required?
To save life, prevent serious injury, significant pain or distress
Otologist
Specialist in the study of ears (including surgery)
Audiologist
Specialist in the study of hearing (cannot perform surgery)
Optometrist
Specialist in vision (cannot perform surgery)
Ophthalmologist
Specialist in the study of eyes (including surgery)
Psychologist
Specialist in the study of the mind, mental health and mental health conditions
Physiotherapist (PT)
Specialist in movement, mobility, muscles
