Clinical Skills for Healthcare Assistants and Assistant Practitioners is an accessible, easy-to-read guide, outlining the fundamental and core skills integral to clinical practice. Fully updated in its second edition, this book is divided into three sections; the first looks at fundamental skills applicable to all staff, such as accountability, communication and record keeping. Section two explores core clinical skills such as respiratory care, pulse, blood glucose management and catheter care. Section three outlines complex clinical skills that require more in-depth training, such as…mehr
Clinical Skills for Healthcare Assistants and Assistant Practitioners is an accessible, easy-to-read guide, outlining the fundamental and core skills integral to clinical practice.
Fully updated in its second edition, this book is divided into three sections; the first looks at fundamental skills applicable to all staff, such as accountability, communication and record keeping. Section two explores core clinical skills such as respiratory care, pulse, blood glucose management and catheter care. Section three outlines complex clinical skills that require more in-depth training, such as medication and intravenous cannulation.
An invaluable resource for healthcare assistants and assistant practitioners, this book will also be of use to newly qualified practitioners, and students in health and social care.
Angela Whelan is a Senior Lecturer, Teaching and Learning Fellow, and Programme Lead, in the Faculty of Health and Social Care at Edge Hill University, UK. Elaine Hughes is a Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing, Deputy Programme Co-ordinator BSc(Hons), and a SOLSTICE Fellow, in the Faculty of Health at Edge Hill University, UK.
Inhaltsangabe
Preface xi
Acknowledgements xiii
Introduction xv
Section I Fundamental skills
1. Accountability 3
Aim of this chapter 3
Regulation and Registration 3
Health Care Assistants and Assistant Practitioners 4
Responsibilities and Accountability 5
Delegation 8
Related aspects and terminology 10
Summary 16
References 17
2. Communication in healthcare 19
Aim of this chapter 19
Defining Communication 20
Why good communication is important 19
Communication methods 22
Strategies to improve communication 27
Related aspects and terminology 27
Skills for Health Care Certificate 31
Summary 31
References 32
Addendum 33
3. Psychological well-being 34
Aim of this chapter 34
What is meant by psychological care? 34
Psychological assessment in the healthcare setting 35
The importance of psychological care in the healthcare setting 37
Strategies to optimise psychological wellbeing 41
Pharmacological (drug-related) options 43
Non-pharmacological options 44
Therapeutic sense of self 44
Common problems 45
Summary 46
References 47
4. Documentation and record keeping 49
Aim of this chapter 49
The importance and purpose of documentation in relation to clinical skills 49
Confidentiality in records and documentation 52
Types of documentation 52
Legal aspects relating to documentation 53
Common problems 56
Related aspects and terminology 56
Strategies to improve standards of record keeping 56
Summary 57
References 59
Section II Core clinical skills
5. Pulse 63
Aim of this chapter 63
What is a pulse? 63
Relevant anatomy and physiology 64
Related aspects and terminology 66
Factors affecting the pulse rate 67
Terminology 68
Automated devices 70
Fetal heartbeat 73
Documentation 75
Common problems 76
Summary 79
References 80
6. Blood pressure monitoring 81
Aim of this chapter 81
What is blood pressure? 81
Reasons for monitoring blood pressure 81
Who requests the test? 81
Who can take a BP reading? 82
What is done with the readings/information? 82
Relevant anatomy and physiology 82
Related aspects and terminology 86
Terminology 87
Korotkoff's sounds 88
Equipment 89
Sites for recording blood pressure 93
Taking blood pressure 94
Documentation 96
Common problems 96
Summary 102
References 103
7. Temperature 105
Aim of this chapter 105
What is temperature? 105
Reasons for measuring temperature 105
Normal limits 106
Relevant anatomy and physiology 107
Related aspects and terminology 107
Terminology 113
Taking a temperature reading 119
Route 119
Taking a temperature reading 119
Documentation 121
Common problems 124
Summary 125
References 128
8. Pulse oximetry 130
Aim of this chapter 130
What is an oxygen saturation reading? 130
Who can perform the test? 130
Reasons for recording an oxygen saturation level 131
