Date of Learning: 26/07/2024

Time: 0930-1630

Title of learning activity: Care Delivery

Diary of Learning activity

During today’s session we spent all day with Jenny, and we had all day lecture of the care delivery module. The topics discussed during the day were wound care in the morning session, and history taking in the afternoon. We started the day in time and we all were wearing uniforms. I thought it was a very good day, because we practised some new skills. During the morning session, we explored the principles of wound care, starting with the different types of wounds. We looked into the stages of wound healing, including haemostasis, where immediate clotting occurs, inflammation, which involves immune cells removing debris and pathogens, proliferation, characterized by the formation of new tissue and blood vessels, and maturation, where the tissue remodels to strengthen the wound site. Infection control was emphasized, highlighting the importance of sterile techniques to prevent infection and recognizing infection signs such as redness, warmth, swelling, and pus. For wound assessment techniques, we focused on documenting key parameters like size, depth, colour, exudate presence, odour, and pain levels. We learned to use documentation tools such as photographs, measurement charts, and detailed descriptive notes to track wound progression effectively. We also covered various types of dressings and their indications, including gauze, which is versatile but may require frequent changing, hydrocolloids that promote a moist healing environment suitable for non-infected wounds, alginates that are highly absorbent and good for wounds with heavy exudate, and foams that provide cushioning and absorption for various wound types. After the lecture we moved to the ward and practiced wound care, using aseptic technique and practiced how to remove surgical clips.  During the afternoon session, we discussed about history taking. We explored the essential components of patient history taking. We began with the complaint , which is the primary reason for the patient’s visit. We then discussed the history of present illness, which requires a detailed account of the development of the patient’s current condition. The importance of past medical history was emphasized, covering previous illnesses, surgeries, and allergies, alongside the patient’s current medications, dosages, and adherence. Social history was also covered, highlighting lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol use that might affect the patient’s health. Family history was discussed to identify any genetic predispositions. We learned effective techniques for patient interviews, focusing on asking open-ended questions and actively listening to the patient’s responses. Summarising the information provided by the patient to ensure accuracy and clarity was another key point. The session also covered documenting patient information accurately. The use of electronic health records for efficient documentation and interprofessional communication was introduced to enhance collaboration within the healthcare team.

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