Clinical Skills Reflection: Gibbs Model

Clinical Skills Reflection Gibbs ModelThe skill that I will reflect on in this essay is the administration of an intramuscular Injection (IM). An IM is an injection deep into a muscle (Dougherty & Lister, 2008). This r bulge oute is often chosen for its quick absorption rate and often medication cannot be give via other routes. The reason I have chosen to reflect on this skill is because I have had many opportunities to perform this skill, and at my actual workout placement this is the most commonly used method of drug administration. I have undertook many IMs at this placement but I am vent to reflect on the first one I undertook which was the administration of Hydroxocobalamin commonly known as vitamin B12 (BNF, 2007)DescriptionDuring a morning clinic with the practice nurse, I was asked if I would like to administer an IM on the next persevering, which was a 26 year old lady who has been suffering from crohns disease which can cause B12 deficiency imputable to lack of vitamin and mineral absorption (NACC, 2007). I agreed and she briefly went through with me how to do an IM as it had been a while since I had last done one. I c alled the patient in and asked her to sit down. The patient had come in for her first injection of B12. I chatted to the patient asking her how she was and if she had any concerns. I then gained have asking her if it was ok for me as a student to administer it under the supervision of the practice nurse. The patient responded with you have got to learn I then brisk the equipment which included two needles, a sharps box, a piece of gauze and the medication. I checked the prescription with the practice nurse, and then checked the ampoule against the prescription. I then drew up the medication with one needle disposing of it in the sharps box and attached the other needle. I then proceeded to administer the medication, subsequently completing the military operation I disposed of the needle in the sharps box and documented it in t he patients notes. After the patient had left the nurse explained to me I had done it all overcompensate except I had gone in too far so if the needle broke it would be hard to get it out and that I didnt extend to check if I had gone into a vein.Thoughts and olfactory propertyingsAfter I was asked if I wanted to do the IM I felt very anxious as it had been much than than 6 months since the last time I had administered one. But she explained the procedure to me which relieved some of my anxiety. When I first met the patient I was finding allot more nervous as the patient was roughly my age and I havent had much experience of caring for the younger person. After the procedure when I was told I was impose on _or_ oppress for not aspirating I felt annoyed as I was sure I had read that aspirating was no longer necessary.EvaluationOverall I feel that the clinical skill went well as a whole. I followed the instructions from my teach and what the enquiry has suggested other than fe eling a little anxious I performed the skill confidently and correctly. What I feel was bad about the experience is with my communication, which reflecting on I believe was lacking. I communicated with the patient prior to the skill and after the skill, but during I felt I almost forgot there was a patient on the end of the needle. I was so focused on getting the skill right and not causing any pain I didnt talk to the patient end-to-end the whole thing. Another point that I feel was bad is, I forgot to wear an apron. My mentor never mentioned anything about this although I do feel I should have worn one as its an aseptic technique and its part of the (DOH, 2006) guidelines.AnalysisThe reason why an IM injection was chosen is because B12 can only be administered via IM (BNF, 2007). I gained informed consent off the patient as this is part the NMC guidelines. (NMC, 2008) As patients have the right to decline treatment. After gaining consent, I then checked the medication against t he patients chart to ascertain the following Drug, Dose, date, route, the robustness of the prescription and the doctors signature. This is done to make sure the patient receives the correct drug and dose (NMC, 2008) I then washed my hands using Ayliffes six stair technique to cut down the risk of infection and put gloves on as part of DOH 2007 Guidelines . The site that I chose was the mid deltoid site. Hunt (2008) Suggests that this is the scoop out site to use as its easy to access whether the patient is sitting, standing or lying down, it also has the advantage of being away from major nerve and blood vessels. Although Roger (2000) states that only 2ml at most can be injected into the deltoid. I was able to proceed with this site as B12 comes in a 1ml dose (BNF, 2007). I asked her if she would prefer to sit or lie down, she said she rather sit, this was ok with me as I am not very tall and found this a comfortable position for me. As the patient was wearing a short sleeve t op I asked her to move it up slightly instead of removing it and so allowing her to maintain her privacy and dignity. I then assessed the injection site for suitability checking for any signs of infection, oedema or lesions. This is done to promote the effectiveness of administration and reduce the risk of cross infection (Woorkman, 1999). Holding the needle at a 90 degree angle it is quickly pushed into the muscle. Workman 1999 says this ensures good muscle penetration. I inserted the needle leaving approximately 1/2cm exposed as Workman, (1999) says this makes removing it easier should it break off. At this point I decided not to aspirate as per research (DOH, 2006). After inserting the needle I allowed it to remain there for 10 seconds. As Woorkman (1999) suggest that leaving in situ for 10 seconds allows the medication to diffuse into the tissues. After 10 seconds had past I swiftly removed the needle and applied pressure according to Dougherty & Lister (2008) this helps preven t the formation of a haematoma. Immediately after carrying out the skill I disposed of the needle into a rigid sharps container. To ensure health and safety is maintained and the used sharps dont present a danger to me or other staff members as stated by MRHA (2004). After the procedure I documented it within the patients notes as per NMC guidelines and to provide a point of credit entry if there ever was a query regarding the treatment and to prevent duplicate administration (NMC, Guide lines for records and record keeping, 2005). After the skill I discussed with my mentor that late evidence suggest that aspirating is unnecessary. According to Workman (1999) the reason for aspirating is to confirm that the needle is in the correct position and to make sure that it has not gone into a vein. The most recent and up to date evidence, says that aspiration is only necessary if using the dorsogluteal site to check for gluteal artery entry (Hunter, 2008). But authoritative guidance from the World Health Organisation and the Department of Health (DOH, 2006) (WHO, 2004) suggest that this site should no longer be used, thus making aspiration unnecessary. By not aspirating it makes the procedure simpler and less chance of adverse events. Furthermore pharmaceutical companies are making less caustic preparations and in smaller volumes. I discussed this with my mentor and she agreed but stated that it is PCT policy to aspirate, and she would have to continue to follow this practice until the policy was amended.ConclusionUsing the Gibbs model of reflection has allowed me to thoroughly analyse the event and allowed me to explore my feelings. I have found out despite the evidence being constantly up to date that not all practitioners knowledge is as up to date, and that trusts are equally as slow to adopt new ideas within their policies and that nurses are governed by policy more than current research. I have also learned that there is a great deal of evidence behind such what on the outside seems to be a simple technique and what I thought I was doing correctly may not always be the case.Action planI do not doubt I will be carrying out IMs for a long time in my career. I will not be doing much otherwise in the future as the evidence is underpinning my practice. I will not put the needle in as far as I did on this occasion. In the future I will continue not to aspirate, unless local policy indicates otherwise. In addition I will communicate with the patient throughout the entire skill and not just at the start and end of. Whats more from this event I have realised that learning never loot and what I know now may not be relevant tomorrow.