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Reflection Upon A Critical Incident Essays

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Reflection has its importance in clinical practice; we always seek to be successful and that can be achieved by learning every day of our life through experiences we encounter. In that way we can reconsider and rethink our previous knowledge and add new learning to our knowledge base so as to inform our practice. Learning new skills does not stop upon qualifying; this should become second nature to thinking professionals as they continue their professional development throughout their careers (Jasper, 2006).

In keeping within current legislation on the protection and respect of an individuals’ right of anonymity, (Polit and Beck 2007), and to confidentiality, (Munhall 2007), any and all possible identifiable characteristics of the …show more content…

One research summary listed on AHRQ website under patient safety is a device that has potential in reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (Collard & Saint, 2010). Continuous aspiration of subglottic secretions (CASS) is an apparatus that has been shown to decrease the incidence of VAP in certain patients. Included in this piece is a description of VAP, how CASS can help improve patients at risk for VAP and a patient care situation regarding clients receiving mechanical ventilation.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Pneumonia is the second most common hospital-acquired infection and is the leading cause of death due to nosocomial infection in the United States (Augustyn, 2007). A patient who is intubated with an endotracheal tube (ETT) is at increased risk of developing pneumonia. The bacteria colonizing the oropharynx can move into the lower respiratory tract because the ETT provides a direct route into the lower airway (Craven & Hjalmarson, 2010). This type of pneumonia is called ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), it occurs in patients receiving mechanical ventilation for an extended period of time. Ventilator associated pneumonia can be categorized as either early-onset or late-onset. Early-onset VAP occurs between 48 to 96 hours and is usually caused by Haemophilus influenza, an antibiotic sensitive community-acquired organisms (Collard & Saint, 2010). Late-onset VAP is caused by

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