Realizing optimal nursing outcomes is a major goal in my nursing profession. To achieve this, I will apply evidence-based, patient-centered practices; engage in critical thinking with a view to making the most suitable clinical judgments; and collaborate with the other nursing care team members and healthcare personnel (Anne-Marie, Ann, Jens and Lars, 2013). My experience at Vitas Hospice helped me learn a lot as far as nursing team management and communication is concerned.
Team work and collaboration is essential in delivering the best healthcare services to the patients to achieve the best results (Maxson et al., 2011). An interdisciplinary team should comprise members who are specialized in certain aspects of nursing care, such as dieticians, pharmacists and counselors, who collaborate to amongst themselves and with the patient’s families to deliver the best, patient-centered care (Muller-Juge et al., 2013; Maxson et al., 20011). To this end, Vista Hospice has a strong team work and collaboration culture, whereby an interdisciplinary team works collaboratively, sharing information, communicating effectively and undertaking a shared, informed decision-making process to realize quality patient care (Fernandez et al., 2012).
Team work and collaboration in the healthcare facility enhances open communication, interdisciplinary consultation and effective sharing of information such as patient’s progress and needs (Maxson et al., 2011). At Vitas, the team manager organizes and chairs regular meetings to discuss issues concerning patient progress and any changes that need to be effected. The interdisciplinary meetings provide an avenue for the nursing personnel and physicians to share critical information and make shared decisions aimed at optimizing the nursing care process. Regular assessments of patients’ progress and sharing of outcomes of such examinations, as well as presence of specific nursing goals which all team members work collaboratively to achieve are strategies aimed at achieving quality patient care (Fernandez et al., 2012).
All in all, Vitas Hospice has a strong policy on team work and collaboration, which enhances mutual respect, open communication and collaborative decision-making with optimal quality patient care as the top priority (Maxson et al., 2011).
References
Anne-Marie, B., Ann, R., Jens, P. G. & Lars, W. (2013). Factors Associated with Evidence-
Based Practice among Registered Nurses in Sweden: a National Cross-sectional Study. BMC Health Services Resource, 13: 165.
Fernandez, R., Braun, K., Ozawa, J., Compton, M., Guzman, C., &Somogy-Zalud, E. (2012). Home –base Palliative Care Services for Underserved Populations. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 13(4): 413-419.
Maxson, P.M., Dozois, E. J., Holubar, S.D., Wrobleski, D. M., Dube, J. A. O., Klipfel, J.M., &
Arnold, J.J. (2011). Enhancing Nurse and Physician Collaboration in Clinical Decision Making Through High-fidelity Interdisciplinary Simulation Training. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 86(1): 31-36. doi: 10.4065/mcp.2010.0282.
Muller-Juge, V., Cullati, S., Blondon, K.S., Hudelson, P., Maitre, F., Vu, N.V., Savoldelli, G.L.,
& Nendaz, M.R. (2013). Interprofessional Collaboration on an Internal Medicine Ward: Role Perceptions and Expectations among Nurses and Residents. PLoS One, 8(2): e57570. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057570570
