Entry 4: Analysis and Planning

Situation- I had been referred to a male patient who’d had surgery performed and had 1 leg in a POP and was to be Non-Weight Bearing (NWB) on it for 6 weeks. I thought this would be a routine assessment and treatment, but it turned out this gentleman was a larger fellow, weighing more than twice my own weight, which changed the situation a little.

Task- My task was to have the patient capable of independent ambulation prior to his discharge.

Action- I originally planned to treat this patient on my own, but after performing a subjective assessment and seeing the pt, I decided I was going to need some more help. After checking the Safe Working Limit (SWL) for large axillary crutches(AC’s) and zimmer frames(ZF) (the patient was safe to use both), my supervisor and I got the patient ambulating with the crutches.

Result- The patient was quite unsteady with the crutches, but did not want to use a ZF. After another unsteady 5m performance on the crutches, I convinced the patient to try the ZF. He turned out to be much safer and more capable with the ZF and preferred it to the crutches. He was discharged the following day after demonstrating 40m independent ambulation with the ZF.

Evaluation- I feel my actions were effective, initially getting the extra assist for ambulation with the patient, then to cease crutch use in favour of the ZF. My strength here was seeing the patient holistically and recognising his need to be ambulating independently before discharge. This meant the patient was discharged with a realistic aid for his needs after 3-4 days on the ward.

Strategies- Viewing the patient holistically and recognising he was not just an age and diagnosis, meant he was discharged without delays.

Ozzman out!