Communication channels and collaboration in skilled nursing organizations

Healthcare Communications

The objective of this work is to conduct an inventory of various communication channels utilized within the skilled nursing organizations and to compare and contrast the various organizations methodologies for disseminating health information with internal and external organizations. This work will identify any improvements that could be made and make recommendations.

AMERICAN ASSOCATION of CRITICAL CARE NURSES (AACN)

"AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments" states that the 2001 American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) made a commitment to actively promote the creation of healthy work environments that support and foster excellence in patient care wherever acute and critical nurses practice." It is related that this commitment is upon the basis of the dedication of the Association to "optimal patient care and the recognition that the deepening nurse shortage cannot be reversed without healthy work environments that support excellence in nursing." (2001) Medical errors can be in great part attributed to "unhealthy work environments" stated to include "demoralizing and unsafe conditions in workplaces." Patient safety can only e ensured through staff recruitment and retention enhancement and through maintenance of the "organization's financial viability." (AACN, 2001) Because of the commitment of AACN to support work and care environments "...that are safe, healing, humane and respectful of the rights, responsibilities, needs and contributions of all people-including patients, their families and nurses" there have been six standards identified as a requirement in the establishment of healthy work environments and in sustaining these environments. Those six standards are inclusive of the following: (1) Skilled Communication; (2) True Collaboration; (3) Effective Decision Making; (4) Appropriate Staffing; (5) Meaningful Recognition; and (6) Authentic Leadership. (AACN, 2001)

SUMMARY & CONCLUSION

The information reviewed and reported in this brief work has indicated that today's skilled nursing staff requires skills training and that a need exists for skilled nursing staff to take a proactive approach to communication both within and outside of their present organization.