Sister P's simple ideas make a huge diffence to patient care

SIster P, a retired senior ward manager offers simply, clever solutions to everyday issues on the wards.

She writes...

I always felt the personal touch was important.. and tried to find a way to ensure that patients under my care felt 'special'.. if only for a few moments each day.

I taught students to get the right mind set ... to get them to think of the patient they are caring for as someone who belongs to them... you would never treat your mum without thinking of her comfort or dignity.

Privacy and dignity were very important, our hospital looked at ways in which this could be promoted... theatre gowns with gaping backs were replaced with one which had three sleeves...no gaps at the back.

Spring-loaded clothes pegs were used to keep screens together when patients were using the commode, or having a procedure done.. and doctors were made aware that if they saw a couple of clothes pegs closing the screens, then they had better not enter unless there was a cardiac arrest,

Patients were encouraged to bring their own sanitary pads (mine was a gynae ward) rather than use the bulky ones provided by the hospital.

Sister P

The hospital also formed a group which met to share good ideas from different wards and different hospitals.