Communication and collaboration practise

Effective communication is the foundation of of any organization more in the health care organization. In nursing communication is enbedded in all domains and in all aspect of care. As such nurses must be as proficient in communication skills as they are in the clinical skills. Communication and collaboration according to the Quality Practice Environment Initiative (QPEI) both receive less attention in nursing programs. When skilled communication is not properly utilized in patient care, it compromises patient safety.

Interpersonal collaboration is an approach that maximises the contribution of registered nurses, physcians, pharmacist, social worker and other members of the health care team. Collaboration is a process where in individuals themselves as a part of team and contribute to the common gaol. This kind of collaboration leads to team work.

In the health care organization, practitioners are more aware of the impact of effective team communication and interprofessional collaboration on quality patient care and safety. According to Bajnok (2010) successful interprofessional practice is based on collaboration, communication and teamwork. Interprofssional practice integrates knowledge and expertise from different members of various disciplines to accomplish common goals.

Interpersonal communication

Interpersonal communication is necessary in all aspect of life but crucial when it comes into nursing for with out communication in nursing there can be lack of understanding poor patient care and medical errors.

Interpersonal communication is essential in effective nursing. Nursing is collaborative and relies on the ability of nurses to communicate effectively with each other, the patient, medical and interdisciplinary team to sustain a level of excellence, patient satisfaction and avoid medical errors.

Nursing essentially, an interpersonal process, every nurse is an agent of communication holding the power to understanding and be understood. Nurses are given a huge responsibility to communicating effectively. If there is a break in the communication, so does the performance of the nurses.

The ability to communicate and relate to a patient provides both greater career satisfaction for the nurse and improves the overall healthcare system.

Hydration

Hydration is very important for the elderly Resident in the long term facility especially in the summer months. A trial study conducted for 90 days on the hydration of the elderly with water on both days and evenings, and for those that do not like to drink water were hydrated with Popsicles, strawberries, water melon, honeydew melon, broths and juices. The facility avoided giving the Residents drinks with caffeine because caffeine is a diuretics. After the three month periods, The evidence showed that, hydration decreased falls, skin tears, and prevents UTI's, and fecal impaction.

Dehydration is the loss of total body water and is the most common fluid and electrolyte disorder among long term care Residents. The factors contributing to dehydration are decrease thirst, impaired cognitive ability, dependency to care giver for help in consuming liquids, diarrhea, swallowing problem, fever, diuretics, the inability to concentrate urine and enteral feeding. How can we tell when a Resident is dehydrated, by observing, a decrease in urine output, concentrated and dark urine, increase in temperature and weight loss. Refer to the table for signs of hydration and dehydration.

Effective Communication in Nursing Leadership

Effective Communication Skills in Nursing Leadership

Effective communication is a recipocal process that communicate the right message to the other staff members who correctly receives the said message and understands it. Coomunication is effective when the people you are working together understands the message you are trying to communicate. Therefore, communication should have audio, visual features and body language to apple to listeners. It depends on our realization of the diversity of the staff and their perception of the world. Effective communication allow nurse leaders to accomplish mutual understanding and guide the movement of information, assist staff to have frank discussions and motivate other staff members to achieve organizational goals.
Nurse leadership must have the ability to skillfullybuild relationships with team members to effect their behaviors. The nurse leaders via effective communication guide their staff in handling misunderstanding and move to a highly functioning team.