There has been some speculation around the quality and efficiency of hospitals and their operations. Nursing care is often the most scrutinized sector as it impacts patients’ lives directly and so profoundly. With the progression of the coronavirus pandemic around the globe, it has never been more imperative that medical facilities give precedence to patient care and recovery. And Nurses are critical for providing high quality and efficient services, through new techniques and innovative solutions. Primarily, they need to have a specific set of skills to improve patient treatment during these trying times. Since the positive outcomes of all medical interventions are, by far, in the hands of nurses and nurse practitioners.
For a positive hospital experience, luxury amenities need to be the last priority of healthcare organizations. Instead, the emphasis needs to be on making patients feel safe from the outset and providing adequate individualized care when they are dealing with their illness. The refinement of the patient-provider communication strategy, as well as real teamwork, is the kind of developmental change needed in the medical field.
When we consider the different types of nurses and what they do, we can see that top-notch patient care is their primary responsibility. Here are five steps to improving patient care:
- Promote Well-Informed Diagnosis
The path to a positive patient outcome starts with the right diagnosis. For treatments to be successful, the initial diagnosis needs to be correct and timely for a smooth transition. When patients consult with a doctor, the first meeting is critical to narrow down the condition. These decision-making processes can be complicated and require much care, which is why talented nurses usually handle them. Nurses can play their part in the process by improving the chances of correct services and treatments. When hospitals administer the right treatment, patients avoid more extended stays and readmissions. While the diagnosis of a condition (or multiple conditions) can be complicated, the right nurse will leave little room for human error. When in doubt, nurses should not hesitate to consult with specialists for secondary opinions. They can also ensure that there is no delay or loss of information about the patient’s illness or treatment. These steps will significantly improve disease diagnosis
- Support a Culture of Safety
Having a culture of safety within a hospital environment is necessary for patients to feel at ease. Nurses can employ this to avoid errors and unnecessary harm despite human fallibility. The culture of safety that needs to be adopted by nursing staff should demonstrate a collective commitment towards safety. That means that despite competing goals, nurses can support trust, provide appropriate resources, and advocate for the right kind of transparency for their patients. The staff can further make sure that their respective healthcare organizations are taking care of safety scores and patient needs above any other goals.
- Delivering Individualized Services
It is essential that in their line of duty, nurses harbor personal connections with their patients. Taking the human touch out of the provision of medical services does not do the industry any favors. Therefore, when healthcare facilities train the nursing staff and encourage them to provide individualized services, this improves patient care significantly. Nurses can tailor their services to the requirements of their patients, as well as become their support systems during difficult times. That is especially effective if they keep up to date with the patient’s name, family, and medical history to bring a personal touch back to the medical field.
- Boosting Teamwork
Teamwork and core coordination are significant factors in promoting positive patient experiences. Nurses are primary patient care team members, and if they work together while caring for a patient, this dramatically improves the overall patient satisfaction since it gives a strong impression that the hospital truly cares about them. Moreover, when patients are well taken care of, it showcases the dedication of the nursing staff and subsequently improves their reputation in the field.
- Looking Beyond the Medical
It is the nurse’s responsibility to provide their patients with absolutely the best care. However, the essence of their job exists beyond the scope of medical help and practices. Meeting the basic needs of a patient and offering a listening ear can do more for their mental well-being than any other treatment. Nurses need to demonstrate a warm and caring attitude, as well as ensure that they are clean and well-fed during their stay.
Conclusion
Nursing can often be a challenging and unappreciated job. When you are taking care of other people, it can wear you down as well. However, you need to equip yourselves to deal with the hardships. It is your responsibility to offer compassion and sympathy to those who rely on you. Connecting with patients and placing yourself in their shoes will help you see beyond medications and IVs, making you a better nurse in the process.
