In order to provide patients with the best quality of patient care, providers must work together to ensure that their communication with each other is being followed while still following the guidelines set forth by the government to ensure that privacy and safety regulations are being followed as well. This involves having a system of documentation in place that is well-planned, well-organized, and followed by all who provide care to all patients at a particular health care facility (Perkins, & Vera, 1998).
The patient care plan is a living document that is made to address the needs of the patient so that the best quality of care can be given to the patient on a daily basis. It also needs to address any potential situations that might arise that are out of the ordinary and unforeseen, such as if life-saving measures should be taken if the need were to arise. As circumstances change, this document needs to change in order to meet each change and each plan needs to address the specific needs and concerns of the patient. This is best done and noted through accurate documentation by all members of the patient care team. One of the best measures of a patient’s progress is the progress notes that each member records after each interaction with the patient as this is an excellent guide of progress or regression of the patient and is a good source of information if adjustments in treatment need to be made.
HIPPA regulations need to be followed to the letter to ensure the privacy of the patients. Their confidentiality is of utmost importance. The medical records department is one of the most important areas in guarding this privacy, but it is the job of all staff members to ensure that patients’ personal information remains confidential. This is one of the most important elements of the daily operations of a health care facility. In many ways, it is of the same importance as the physical safety of the patients and staff as it involves the psychological and emotional safety of the patients in the same manner as other regulations protects the physical safety of patients and staff. Both are needed for complete protection of all parties (Cutler, Wikler, & Basch, 2012).
References
Cutler, D., Wikler, E., & Basch, P. (2012). Reducing administrative costs and improving the
health care system. The New England Journal of Medicine, 367(20), 1875-8. Retrieved
Perkins, J., & Vera, Y. (1998). Legal protections to ensure linguistically appropriate health care.
http://search.proquest.com/docview/220584517?accountid=458
