Health Care Communication
Background- Within the modern nursing paradigm, there must be a clear link between a health outcome and the process that helps ensure those outcomes. Typically, outcomes are classified in terms of preventability, impact, severity and an overall holistic view of the client's safety issues. Positive behaviors that impact individuals either rescue or protect patients from potential or actual events. This is also part of the issue with modern communication and dissemination of information to patients, stakeholders, and the community (Burns and Grove, 2005).
At the heart of healthcare as an institution is, of course, the need to care for the sick and the injured. However, in the contemporary model of healthcare, effective communication during a crisis is not only important, but also vital. Communication by healthcare professionals takes the concern and worry out of the situation; offers a quicker resolution, makes better control of information possible, earns the trust of the public and individual families; and keeps the flow of information consistent and accurate, thus averting potential external problems. Technology has increased the ease and ability for adequate communication -- there are more translators, access to databases, etc. within the field, and certainly there is more information about healthcare available for the layperson. However, the manner in which modern medicine works -- the reality that it is the nurse as opposed to the doctor who tends to follow the patient throughout their care, lends greater credibility to the use of the modern nurse as a paradigm for successful communication and patient advocacy (Nemeth, 2008).
Organizational Overview -- Magnolia Services is a small nursing home/adult care facility located near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The facility is located in a more upscale area of the city, near shopping, medical facilities, restaurants, golf courses and activities for those who can take advantage. We also have apartment-style community offers all of the amenities of a home without the work. Imagine a life without household chores, yard work or home maintenance. Invite guests to a meal, special event or social outing. With our on-site Active Living Director, scheduled transportation and Anytime Dining...
We also have Respite Care, ideal for people who need recovery care for a few days, a few weeks, or a few months. We have a dedicated staff including a professional nursing director; an RN on staff 24/7, and access to local medical care.
Table 1 -- Information Dissemination
Issue/Info.
Stakeholder
Method
Analysis
Facility Information
Potential Guests, Medical Community, Senior and Aging Groups
Traditional Advertising (newspapers, etc.), Word of Mouth
Cash dependent, out of nursing staff prevue, weak in some cases.
Individual Patient Concerns (Chronic)
Nursing Staff; interface with individual doctor or clinic; patient / client, family members; facility personnel
Weekly staff meeting, individual concerns passed on through charts per shift on days when client is seen; minimum 1x week.
Adequate for non-emergency situations; dependent upon staff recidivism
Individual Patient Concerns (Respite)
Nursing Staff; interface with individual doctor or clinic; patient / client, family members; facility personnel
Weekly staff meeting, individual concerns passed on through charts per shift on days when client is seen; minimum 1x day
Adequate as long as client's physician is in the loop on a regular basis
Emergency Conditions
Nursing Staff; interface with individual doctor or clinic; patient / client, family members; facility personnel
Weekly staff meeting, individual concerns passed on through charts per shift on days when client is seen; minimum 2x day; regular contact with client's physician as needed.
Adequate as long as client's physician is in the loop on a regular basis
Potential Issues
Director of facility; department heads, nursing staff; clients and family
Weekly staff meeting, individual concerns passed on through charts per shift on days when client is seen; minimum 1x week.
Strategically needs improvement to ensure staffing, supplies, and external resources are adequate
Family Issues
Director of facility; department heads,…
