COMMUNICATION IMPROVEMENT

COMMUNICATION between

Patient/Care Partner

---We are finally working on communication between the staff and resident at the hospital where I live. To me it is a longtime in coming.

 

---The communication should be geared to making, in my estimation, the resident function at his best and highest. That which is truest of himself. The bar should NOT be so high he can't reach it NOR so low it decreases any abilities he may have. Each resident/patient is different so the bar should be set to consider as many traits as possible.


---The three components of communication are 1] The way you see it, 2] the way he/she sees it, and 3] what the two agree upon. These apply to the hospital situation in which I live in this way. The resident is the patient. That is the you that is mentioned. The he/she is his care partner or care giver or the person that the patient happens to be relating to at the moment. Much of the time it is his doctor, nurse or nursing assistant.  The patient spends most of his time with his nursing assistant.

---Here, again, I think the patient and care partner should sit down and hammer out what works and doesn't work in the situation. This is done so one can to get to know the other and NO surprises or false expectations are set up. Everything for the most part is up front and resentment doesn't build up on either side. I don't think that the importance of the nursing assistant (or any care partner) understanding the patient (and vice-versa) where possible, can be stressed enough. The better that this relationship is...beats the heart of the facility. It hugely impacts any healing that may take place.

 

---Summary: The patient and care partner spend time working out whatever is necessary to insure a good working relationship.

---The THIRD PARTY is involved (if necessary) by any discipline that INCREASES COMMUNICATION IN THE RELATIONSHIP. This could be in the form of a quote, reading material, music, psychologist, psychiatrist or anything that both sides agree upon that is facility friendly that enhances the relationship. Be Well!