The nurse as Patient Advocate

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I have been in my current endoscopy unit job for about 3 months and this is something I feel quite strongly about.We get patients who have asked to have either a throat spray OR sedation for their gastroscopic procedure and end up being given both as this is obviously what the endoscopist "feels is right for them".I use inverted commas as I can see no other reason for them choosing to do this (surely they are not doing it for their own benefit;perhaps to make the procedure quicker?)

Another bugbear is the inpatients who come down for their procedure armed with,if they are lucky, a leaflet and the kind of feeling one can only get after a sleepless night following jugs of Klean Prep or Picolax in preparation for their colonoscopy.

I pride myself on preparing my outpatients properly:informing,guiding and reassuring them so that they have their procedure knowing exactly what will happen,who the personnel are and knowing that the nurse in the room with them will support them.

I am currently doing research so that I feel more confident in my role and hopefully put a case forward to prepare inpatients in advance of their visit to us in order that they feel better prepared.

If any one has any advice,information or references,I would welcome their input.

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