Patient care is integral in every healthcare setting. Nurses play a significant role in a patient’s health by facilitating effective communication and collaboration with other healthcare professionals and the patients. Lucy Hood and Lucy .J.Hood ( 2017) define communication in nursing as a form of human interaction where meanings and understanding are derived from the exchange of messages between individuals. They further add that the concept of communication is a significant aspect of the role played by nurses and remains a contemporary issue in nursing practice.
This essay paper is centered on a discussion about the importance of communication in nursing. It will outline various instances that bring out the major significance that communication plays in nursing practice.
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Communication aids in the development of a nurse-patient relationship. According to (Lucy Hood, 2017), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code of conduct stipulates the need for nurse to always act in ways that are of best the patient by first of all prioritizing the care of the people under their supervision, respecting the dignity of the people and treating them in the right manner. Communication must happen for the nurse to know the therapeutic situation of their patient. Lucy Hood defines the interconnection of a nurse getting to see a patient’s condition as a form of establishing a therapeutic relationship. This , she argues is a form of emotional bond that patients have with the nurse. A therapeutic relationship is best developed by using factors of communication which include; active listening, attending and responding to patients.
Holly-May Robins (2015) discusses that communication is vital in the transfer of care(Handoff) from the ‘operating room to the postoperative anaesthesia care unit (PACU)’ or other phases of care. He notes that when communication is lost during this time, there will be a lot of medication errors, and general poor patient outcomes. A registered nurse needs to pass information that is clear and accurate to the health professional taking over care of the patient at the postoperative room. Such communication explains teamwork which translates to minimal errors, proper patient care, improved patient outcome and continuity of care (Lucy Hood, 2017). When information is not precise or rather the form of communication is complex, common misunderstandings will be inevitable, and the result will negatively affect the patient.
Communication is an essential tool in prescription and giving patients alternative treatment options for their care and achieving personalized care. Nurses who are skilled in communication will help and advise their patients on the right form of attention, and this will enable patients to make informed decisions on their health. Nurses will also understand the unique challenges that patients face and find ways to address them adequately. Patient outcome will relatively improve. Proper communication allows for confidentiality and trust of information shared by the patients; they will be able to disclose information on their feelings and symptoms much quicker . When there is a communication breakdown, information about a patient is broken and affected by poor communication.
Safe health care practice and continuity of health care are assured to patients through proper communication by nurses. Holly-May Robins (2015) argues that continuity of care cannot be achieved if poor handover is not done . In a definition, Lucy Hood ( 2017) defines handover as the professional transfer of responsibility and accountability for patients care for a permanent period or on a short-term basis. Nurses are advised to convey accurate information in the handover sheet by using a standardized checklist to promote safe practice.
Communication in nursing not only benefit the patients but is also considered a vital tool in the nursing profession. Through interaction, there will be a general improvement in work performance , job satisfaction motivation, and morale build up among nurses who communicate with their colleagues in the health care system. Communication lowers incidences of high turnover rates and stress.
Conclusion
Communication is crucial for nurses for safe health care practices , continuity in health care, development of therapeutic relationships and motivation to nurses. Since communication is considered a learned skill, nurses need to continually learn and improve on their communication skills that include the current healthcare initiatives and guidelines.
References
Holly-May Robins, F. D. (2015). Renal Resistive Index: A Tool for Postoperative Intensive Care Unit-Outcome? A Pilot Observational Study. Journal of Anesthesia & Critical Care: Open Access, 83 (4), 1-5. Retrieved Augus 2015
Lucy Hood, L. J. (2017). Leddy & Pepper's Professional Nursing. (9th, Ed.) Netherlands: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
