support@essaywritingexpert.orgThe case is 56-year-old male diagnosed with Myeloid Leukemia a type of cancer where the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal cells. Given the gravity of this diagnosis, it is imperative that the highest standards of patient care and confidentiality are upheld. The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s 2018 guidelines serve as the guiding beacon in this regard, emphasizing the critical importance of nurses possessing specific proficiencies in handling sensitive medical information. The confidentiality of patient records and personal details is not only a legal and ethical obligation but also paramount in building and maintaining trust between healthcare providers and patients. This case underscores the significance of adhering to these guidelines, ensuring that the patient’s medical information is handled with the utmost discretion and professionalism. By doing so, we can provide the patient with a safe, secure, and trustworthy healthcare environment, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and recovery journey.
Social History
The patient is a 56-year-old who is married with two children who have moved out of his home. He holds a managerial position in a blue-chip company and he normally travels a lot. His wife is a journalist who works in 8-5 job implying she has a flexible schedule. The patient has some close friends who besides his family have been a source of emotional support throughout his life.
Medical history
The patient has had a history of hypertension. Psychologically, he exhibits mild anxiety most due to his work. It has been managed by occasional counselling sessions and mindfulness techniques. On physical examinations, he has no noteworthy abnormalities other than mild fatigue and pallor which can be attributed to underlying hematological disorder. Psychologically, the patient has expressed concern regarding the impact of his diagnosis on his family, work and ultimate quality of life.
Significant Events
There have been a number of notable events that have shaped the history of the patient. About seven months, the patient experienced some work related stress when the company he was works for did a major overhaul of the IT systems. This was a period of extreme pressure which came with fatigue. The patient had to take some days off but this condition did not improve. The patient was taken for further check ups and he was discovered to have acute myeloid leukemia. About three years ago, the patient lost his father to cancer which heightened their emotional sensitivity to their own diagnosis. This event made them to do more checkups.
Condition
The key issue will be to discharge the patient through a smooth transition process from hospital to home while maintaining optimal disease management and quality of life. The process involves coordinating several aspects like medication management, monitoring for complications, and providing necessary support for the patient and their caregivers (Sackheim, 2015). This type of leukemia normally affects the bone marrow, disrupting the normal production of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (Li, 2022). This leads to anemia, susceptibility to infections, and bleeding tendencies. Patients with myeloid leukemia may have synchronized medical conditions, which could obscure their care. Common multi-morbidities include infections due to compromised immune function, anaemia requiring blood transfusion, and probable organ dysfunction due to leukemic infiltrates. These need to be addressed in the discharge plan, ensuring a comprehensive approach to managing both leukemia and associated health issues.
The discharge planning will consist of a team including social workers, pharmacists, oncology nurses and hematologists who will make follow ups and relevant support. The caregivers will be educated on symptom recognition, medication administration, and when to seek immediate medical attention. Regular follow-up appointments and a well-defined emergency plan will be put to ensure the safety of the patient safety and his well-being.
Assessment
The assessment will use the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status. It helps to gauge a patient’s functional capacity and guide treatment decisions (Faisal et al,. 2019). Communication skills will play a crucial role in the process. The healthcare team will deploy all-inclusive and elaborate communication to explain the diagnosis, treatment options, and probable side effects to the patient. They will also actively listen to the patient concerns and preferences, ensuring a patient-centered approach.
The patient’s family will be involved. They will be included in discussions regarding the treatment plan, probable complications, and the signs to watch for. They will also be trained in administering medications, recognizing emergency situations, and offering emotional support. The assessment and planning process will be precisely recorded. This will involve electronic health records, where detailed information regarding the patient’s medical history, treatment plan, and instructions for post-discharge care were documented. This will ensure that all members of the healthcare team will have access to consistent and up-to-date information, facilitating continuity of care.
Planning of care
The process of planning of care should involve a structured approach pegged on a thorough assessment of the patient’s medical condition (Hadziabdic & Hjelm, 2020). This will include the extent of leukemic involvement, prevailing health issues, and individualized treatment response. This assessment will involve elaborate diagnostic tests, consultations with hematologists, and evaluation of the patient’s overall well-being.
There will be collaboration with several members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in formulating the plan. Hematologists, oncology nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and possibly physical therapists will all be involved in playing various roles. The team will convene severally to discuss treatment options, potential complications, and supportive care measures, ensuring a holistic and patient-centered approach.
The plan of care will be precisely recorded to ensure continuity of care. Detailed electronic health records will be utilized, containing complete information about the patient’s medical history, treatment regimen, medication instructions, and follow-up appointments. There will be seamless communication amongst the team involved, ensuring that everyone involved in the patient’s care has access to consistent and up-to-date information.
Lifestyle choices
The discharge process will require a comprehensive approach. While lifestyle choices may not be the primary cause of myeloid leukemia, some other factors can influence its progression. These could include exposure to certain chemicals or radiation, smoking, or genetic predispositions. During the discharge process, it will be important to explore the patient’s history for any such contributing factors.
Once identified, opportunities for the patient to consider or to adopt to have a good lifestyle will be discussed. This will involve providing resources and education on how to stop smoking, how to maintain a balanced diet, having a regular exercise, and how to reduce exposure to environmental toxins. Furthermore, psychosocial support and counselling will be provided to tackle any underlying stressors or mental health concerns that could have an impact on the general well-being of the patient. All other steps will be done to ensure that they live a good lifestyle.
In addition, his family will be involved to act as the support system. This collaborative approach will help create a caring environment for the patient’s transition from hospital to home. Eventually, while lifestyle choices may not be the main cause of myeloid leukemia, addressing and modifying appropriate factors will play a valuable role in his overall health and well-being, hypothetically improving their quality of life and supporting their recovery journey.
Delivery of care
Effective discharge planning for a patient with myeloid leukemia can turn out to be a complicated process (Li, 2022). The process of care could face barriers including inadequate social support and logistical challenges connected to accessing specialized care or medications among others. Personal care needs play an important role in this planning. A patient with myeloid leukemia may need specific attention to hygiene, dietary restrictions, and monitoring for signs of infection or bleeding. Furthermore, considerations for mobility and comfort are crucial to maintain the patient’s overall well-being. The patients will require a regime of chemotherapy, immunosuppressive drugs, and medications for symptom management. There will be need to coordinate prescription skills and educate the caregivers on proper administration to make the process successful.
Evaluation of care
After the execution of the discharge plan for a patient with myeloid leukemia, a thorough evaluation of care will be crucial to ensure its effectiveness (Li, 2022). The patient’s response to treatment will be checked by looking at indicators like blood cell counts, presence of blasts in the bone marrow, and overall disease progression. There will be need to check any anticipated complications like infections or bleeding tendencies. It will also be important to verify if the patient and their caregivers are sticking to the prescribed medication regimen.
The patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living and their overall functional status will be checked. A determination of any adjustments to the care plan or additional support services will be required. There will also be gauging of his emotional well-being and assessment for signs of distress or anxiety. The need for additional psychosocial support like counseling or support groups will be considered from time to time. It will also be made sure that the patient and their caregivers have a clear understanding of the disease, treatment plan, and self-care measures. Feedback will also be obtained from the patient and their caregivers regarding their experience with the discharge plan and the input used to make appropriate changes.
Conclusion
Effective discharge planning for myeloid leukemia patients is important for a smooth transition from hospital to home. The process will involve doing a comprehensive assessment, collaboration of stakeholders, and a clear precise communication. Factors like lifestyle, personal care needs, medication management, and patient cooperation will need to be properly looked at so that the patient is give adequate optimal care making him to heal in a better manner that has less challenges and inhibitors.
References
Faisal A. Muhammad Farooq L. Ayesha F. Syed Hammad T. Saad A. S. Shahid B. & Nedal B. (2019). Performance status assessment by using ecog (eastern cooperative oncology group) score for cancer patients by oncology healthcare professionals 728– 736. https://doi.org/10.1159/000503095
Hadziabdic E. & Hjelm K. (2020). The experiences of the process of planning starting and organizing a culturally specific nursing home for finnish-speaking older persons: a qualitative study. Bmc Health Services Research. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020- 05644-1
Li W. (2022). Leukemia. Exon Publications
Sackheim K. A. (2015). Pain management and palliative care: A comprehensive guide. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2462-2