Proper general patient care is one of the most important factors affecting his speedy recovery. Carrying out a set of measures aimed at restoring and maintaining the patient’s strength, it is possible to prevent possible complications, to quickly return him to a full life. General care for patients in a therapeutic clinic is performed by nurses who provide both physical and psychosocial support. That is why the concept of "general care" is synonymous with the concept of "nursing."
Fundamentals of General Patient Care
The complexity of care is that each patient is individual, he has his own habits and character. Sometimes the patient is not able to think clearly and give an account of his actions and actions. This makes it necessary for the caregiver to have such skills as patience, alertness, compassion, and the ability to think clearly in an unusual situation.
General therapeutic care for patients is necessary for all patients, regardless of the type of their disease. This concerns, as a rule, the satisfaction of the body's natural needs: the patient needs food, drink, and personal hygiene. It is very important to help the patient be active. A light warm-up in bed or a short walk will have a positive effect on both the physical and mental health of a person. No less important are the conditions in which the patient resides: silence, clean linen, and respect for oneself and one's needs.
Basic Rules
There are several general rules for patient care. About them further.
First of all, patient care should depend on the instructions of the attending physician. The patient may not be able to get out of bed, or may not have significant movement restrictions. A particular regimen prescribed by a doctor determines the amount of care needed. Nevertheless, it is necessary even for those who are able to serve themselves independently.
Ideally, patients should be in a bright room, isolated from noise, have an influx of fresh air. Even such basic conveniences as comfortable temperature, silence, an abundance of light and clean air have a beneficial effect on the body, regardless of the type of disease.
Cleanliness is the key to health. Cleaning the room in which the patient is located should be done at least twice a day to avoid dust accumulations. The bedding and underwear of the patient should also be kept clean. It is necessary to change it so as not to create excessive pain and tension for the patient.
Washing is necessary every morning and evening. If there are no restrictions from the doctor, then the patient is allowed to wash in the shower or in the bath. Bedridden patients should be cleaned daily with wet swabs, paying special attention to places where diaper rash often occurs: armpits, groin, skin folds.
An organism exhausted by a disease needs a constant supply of nutrients. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins must be supplied in a balanced amount at the same time, because you must follow a diet. Many diseases require a special diet or a special diet, which is prescribed by a doctor.
Another important rule is monitoring the patient's condition. The doctor should be aware of the changes taking place with the patient: well-being, activity, psycho-emotional state, color of natural secretions. Timely identification of deviations will allow them to be eliminated faster, preventing the development of complications.
Psychological help
Another general principle of caring for a sick person requires knowledge not only in medicine but also in psychology: a disease is stress, and people tolerate it in different ways, sometimes becoming capricious and irritable or closed and uncommunicative. The emotional state in the healing process plays a significant role, therefore, caregivers must adhere to medical ethics - respectful attitude to the patient, interest in a speedy recovery. A properly built dialogue and a good attitude will allow you to set the patient in a positive mood.
What is a hospital?
Patient care is carried out in a hospital. A hospital is a medical institution in which patients stay for a long time, there are all the necessary conditions for this.
Types of hospitals
The following types of hospitals are usually distinguished:
- daytime - allow you to carry out procedures that cannot be performed at home, but at the same time does not require prolonged hospitalization;
- round-the-clock - are necessary for treatment under the constant supervision of doctors;
- surgical - designed to restore patients after surgery;
- at home - it is created at stationary medical facilities, the doctors of which provide all the necessary medical care to a patient who is at home.
Hospital Profiles
Hospitals also vary in profile, depending on the treatment of which diseases they specialize in. This determines the level of qualification of doctors and medical personnel, the equipment of a medical institution with everything necessary to complete its task. According to the profile in the broad sense, hospitals are of two types:
- multidisciplinary - work with various types of diseases;
- mono-specialized or specialized - are involved in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with a certain pathology.
What treatment departments are there?
Each medical institution by its structure is divided into departments, among which the main one is medical. Treatment departments also vary in profile: general and specialized. General departments usually provide therapeutic and surgical care, while specialized departments deal with diseases of a particular body system. In addition, there are a reception and diagnostic departments, a laboratory.
General and specialized care - application algorithms
By specialization, not only stationary medical facilities are distinguished, but also the types of care provided. In addition to general patient care, there is also specialized, designed for patients with a specific disease. If the first is designed to create comfortable conditions and ensure vital processes, the second is aimed directly at treating the disease. Medical workers caring for the patient should have a wide range of skills and knowledge necessary for the rehabilitation of the ward.
Patient care is carried out according to a clear algorithm. First of all, a diagnosis of the state of health is carried out, and then the caregiver determines what needs the ward is not able to satisfy on his own, what is the degree of these difficulties. Proceeding from this, the patient’s response to his illness and condition is revealed, the so-called “sister diagnosis” is made, which includes a list of the patient’s existing and potential physiological, psychological problems associated with the disease.
The next step is planning - for each problem, a goal and a care plan are formed. Within the framework of their strength and competence, medical personnel set realistic and feasible goals for a short or long term. They should be accessible to the patient for understanding, stated in simple language without complex terms. Throughout the time spent in the hospital, care is carried out, specialized procedures are performed necessary for recovery. Due to the fact that the state of the ward is changeable, it is important to monitor changes and make adjustments to the developed plan.
A correctly diagnosed and prescribed treatment is only half the recovery. Compliance with the doctor’s prescriptions, compliance with hygiene standards and diet, a favorable emotional background play an equally important role. The combination of general and specialized care will seriously accelerate the process of restoration of the ward's strength, and prevent possible complications.