Keeley Quaid

I work on a cardiac and Thoracic ward at Queen Elizabeth hospital (517). Throughout my time on this ward, I would care for post-operative patients with chest drains, level 2 patients with A-lines and medical patients. On this ward I gained experience with different types of drains such as Rocket drains and medulla drains. I would regular monitor the output of this drains and record the information on PICS as well as, assisted with the removal of drains. On this ward, we would receive level 2 post-operative patients, who would return to the ward with A-line. We would zero these A-line to connect them to the cardiac monitors to monitor their blood pressure. I would also perform regular arterial blood gases for my level 2 patients and use a blood gas machine. Throughout this time, I would regular administer IV medication for my patients such as Antibiotics, anti-emetics and fluids. On this ward, I gained experience with PCAs, epidurals and nerve blocks. I would also completed morning, lunch and dinner medication rounds for my patients. On this ward, we would complete ECGs, bladder scans, catheterisation, venepuncture, cannulation and nasogastric tubes.

I have had experience at Queen Elizabeth hospital in EPOC. In enhanced post-operative care, I took care of level 2 patients post surgery. We would take care of many specialties such as Neurology, trauma. Cardiac, Gastro, thoracic, emergencies and colorectal surgeries. In EPOC, we would monitor for any post-operative complications such as, bleeding, nausea and pain. We would receive patients that would have drains, Nerve blocks, epidurals, PCAs, bear huggers, flaps, external fixations, stomas and A-lines. Through-out the care of the patients, we would closely monitor these patients 1-1 and complete many nursing interventions like neuro observations, neuro-vascular observations, epidural observations, flap observations and arterial blood gases. We would also give regular oral and IV medications.

I have gained experience in Recovery located in Theatres at the Queen Elizabeth hospital. While in recovery, I would take care of a range of post-operative patients from small procedures such as bronchoscopy and biopsies to organ transplants and open brain surgeries. We took care of a range of specialties such as Neurological, renal, gastro, cardiac, respiratory, trauma and Orthopaedic surgeries. We could receive patients with A-lines, external-fixations, PCAs, drains, nerve blocks and epidurals. We would monitor patients until the anaesthetic has worn off and the patient is fit to go back to the ward. We would prepare regular pain relief, anti-emetics and fluids for these patients. We would complete nursing interventions like neuro observations, neuro-vascular observations, epidural observations, flap observations and connecting patients to cardiac monitors. We would then handover all care given to the patients while with us in recovery back to the wards.

I gained experience on a haematology ward (625) at the Queen Elizabeth hospital. On this ward, we would take care of a range of patients that had conditions such as Leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, sickle cell, spinal cord compression and aplastic anaemia. On this ward, we would prepare and administered chemotherapy for our cancer patients and monitor them frequently throughout administration in the case of complications or side effects. We had 12 transplant beds on this ward, this was when we would complete stem cell transplants. We would do regular observations for our transplant patient in the case of rejection or reactions and we would administered anti-rejection medication once transplant was completed. We complete medication rounds that include oral and IV medication like anti-emetics bolus due to chemotherapy and stem cell transplants side effects.

I have gained experience on a Trauma ward (412) at the Queen Elizabeth hospital. On this ward, I would look after patients who have experienced trauma like car vs car, car vs pedestrian, amputation, military, falls and open and closed fractures. This ward, I had gained a lot of experience with wound care. We would perform ANTT while cleaning these wounds and dress these with silver, iodine and appropriate dressings. Patients would present on the ward with external fixations, redivac drains, VAC therapy and flaps. We would do regular flap observations for our patients by checking for a pulse with a Doppler , CRT, checking the colour and temperature of the flap. We would also use methods such as leech therapy on wounds to help with blood circulation to the flap. We would have PCAs, both morphine and fentanyl as well as nerve blocks. We would administer regular oral medication and IV medication.

I have had experience on a geriatric ward (East 2A) at the Queen Elizabeth hospital. On this ward, we would take care of elderly and dementia patients. We would take care of elderly patients who have had falls, UTIs, respiratory issues and diabetes. We assist our patients with mobility, continence issues, control their health condition by helping them rehabilitate. We would refer them to professionals such as physiotherapists, dieticians and vulnerabilities team to help regain mobility, keep a healthy weight and regain an appetite and to give emotional support to patients suffering with delirium and dementia. In this ward, we would assist patients with their food and taking their medication as well as hygiene needs. We would do regular IV antibiotics and oral pain relief to help make our patients feel more comfortable pain free. We would provide our dementia patients with dementia activities to give them comfort as well as make them feel more at home.

I have had experience on a stroke ward (514) at the Queen Elizabeth hospital. On this ward, we would take care of individuals who have suffered strokes such as TIAs, bleeds on the brain and surgical intervention such as open brain surgeries and a thrombectomy. We would assist patients with medication, hygiene needs and feeding. Most patients had suffered weakness of limbs, paralysis and dysphasia, therefore, regular repositioning was important to reduce pressure sores as well as referrals to teams such as speech and language and dietitians. We also had tracheostomy patients, where we would provide regular suctioning and oral care for these patients. We would give regular oral and IV medication to patients especially anti-coagulants to reduce the chance of further. We would have patients, who were on blood thinners such as warfarin, therefore regular blood tests were needed to collect an INR level to know the correct dose to give to the patient.