Orientation and First Weeks
Prior to the first day of the work term several required orientation learning modules are provided for completion. These modules are: violence prevention, a brief overview of Fraser Health, confidentiality, and infection control measures. The Meditech module was the most important one for my term as it is where the electronic health records of the patients are kept.
The first day we were given a tour of the medicine units and the staff we would be interacting with the most. After the tour we were given an explanation on delirium and the main project we would be working on. All the information was initially overwhelming and had many working parts including all the various forms and types of documentation needed for patients with delirium.
By the end of the first week we were given the task of conducting our first of many documentation audits looking at the compliance of the nursing staff filling out a specific form called the “Delirium Monitoring Tool (Confusion Assessment Method)” better known as CAM. We used Meditech to access the records of the patients and used patients charts to conduct and complete this audit.
Day to Day
Out of the whole 8 months I was here, no two days were the same and I think that is the best part of this job. While there was consistent tasks and projects to work on, if something urgent needs to be done then items will be put on hold. However, from a general perspective most days would be as follows:
-
Arrive to work and sign in at the unit.
-
Check in with our supervisor and be tasked with the items that needed to be fulfilled that day (i.e. audits, data analysis, creating posters/educational materials).
-
Attend unit huddles and information sessions
-
Lunch Break
-
More data collection and analysis, work on the ongoing projects and finish assigned tasks
-
Check in with supervisors for the last time and head home.
Some days may have been busier than others but the main components of the day include administrative tasks and data collection/analysis.
Accomplishments and Challenges
The biggest accomplishment I had during my work term was the work I did with the Delirium Intervention Quality Group. Through this work, I was able to develop and conduct a trial on new nursing flowsheets that had embedded the CAM tool so it would no longer be a separate sheet of paper. This trial lasted the whole summer and our baseline was 33% completion in May and I can proudly say that we increased the completion rate to 98% by August. By removing the extra piece off paper that nurses should chart on, it improved patient care tremendously and the healthcare team are now able to catch cases of delirium sooner.
My co-op partner and I were also able to conduct another mass data collection for the Intervention Quality Group. Looking at about 1500 patient charts, this project was to verify proper paper work was being filed for patients with delirium noted in their charts. Process and documentation improvements were identified with clarification and communication provided to physicians and staff. The geriatric physician that co-chairs the working group was able to relay this to all the doctors in the hospital.
Wrap Up
The people and projects that I have worked on, and with, will always be an important part of my career journey and I will be forever grateful for this opportunity. The work I was able to do has made a difference, and being able to participate and witness it all has been amazing. While delirium was my main focus of the work term I gained so many other opportunities that furthered my skill set. My time there has helped to decide the career path I want to pursue and how the health care system needs our help. I want to thank anyone who I interacted with at Langley Memorial Hospital because you helped me in so many ways that will be with me forever.
