Proposing Change
After picking the topic for our project and finding literature, I was able to learn a few more things about our topic than I had previously known. Practicing accurate documentation of intake and output leads to an overall increase in positive outcomes for patients. One of those benefits that I never really thought of was risk of inaccurate care plans. These potentially inaccurate care plans from inaccurate documentation can lead to a decrease in positive outcomes for the patient. While I was aware of the importance of correct documentation of intake and output for preventing things like electrolyte or fluid imbalances, the importance of having an accurate care plan is not as obvious.
Going forward in my practice as a nurse and using the information that I have learned from the literature; I will make sure to properly document intake and output. With knowing the issues that can arise like arrythmias from an imbalance of electrolytes or increased hospital stays for patients will help to reinforce the importance. Overall, practicing and documenting accurate intake and output will help me to provide the best care for my patient possible. In practicing good documentation hopefully will allow for the other nurses on the unit to also practice accurate documentation as well.
Our group seemed to run into some problems this time around and needed to do some heavy edits to get to where it eventually needed to be. When there would be a problem that came up luckily, we would often have time at clinical to all talk about what needed to get done. This was perfect because we all would be able to meet as a group outside of class to get together and do what we had to. When we weren’t discussing in person, we were able to use a text group chat to talk about any edits that were made and if people wanted to look at those edits. The collaboration allowed for us to make sure that the final draft was up to the standards that it needed to be.
