NUR 514 Discuss the way communication technologies can enhance coordination of care by interprofessional teams

Sample Answer for NUR 514 Discuss the way communication technologies can enhance coordination of care by interprofessional teams

Re: Topic 8 DQ 1

In healthcare settings, effective communication is essential, especially for interprofessional teams. It guarantees that everyone in the team, irrespective of their background in the medical field, agrees about patient care. This raises patient safety while also raising the standard of care. Team members can instantly share patient information with one another thanks to its real-time information sharing feature. This lowers the possibility of errors by guaranteeing that every team member has access to the same, current information. Team members can collaborate more efficiently by using tools like shared electronic health records (EHRs) and collaborative platforms. They can simultaneously access and update patient information, discuss treatment plans, and make collective decisions. Communication technologies can be accessed from anywhere, making it easier for team members to stay connected and informed, even when they are not physically present in the healthcare facility. Wooden & Blair (2019) report that technology is an effective tool to enhance communication between teams and results indicate that with the use these tools there is decreased length of stays, improved patient outcomes and improved nursing care.

One specific communication technology that has revolutionized healthcare communication is the Electronic Health Record (EHR). It enhances coordination of care by providing a complete view of a patient’s health history, including diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory test result (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2022). This allows all team members to have a full understanding of the patient’s health status and care. EHRs can be updated in real-time, ensuring that all team members have access to the most recent patient information. This is particularly useful in emergency situations where timely information is critical. EHRs facilitate communication among team members. They can leave notes for each other, discuss patient care, and make collective decisions, all within the EHR system.

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN-13: 9781284220469

Wooden, K &Blair, K (2019). The use of technology in multidisciplinary communication to improve patient-centered care coordination: A systemic review. The Use of Technology in Multidisciplinary Communication to Improve Patient-Centered Care Coordination: A Systemic Review – Oncology Nurse Advisor

Sample Answer 2 for NUR 514 Discuss the way communication technologies can enhance coordination of care by interprofessional teams

Communication technologies are a vital part of healthcare and inter-professional coordination of the healthcare teams. Healthcare teams need to have effective communication technologies in order to foster seamless collaboration which also ensures clear goals for the patient and ensures safer care. One of the most common communication technologies is a secure messaging platform which many different healthcare entities utilize which allows more open communication between providers when they may not be in close proximity to each other.

The hospital I am at uses Microsoft Teams and it is an excellent platform to hold meetings, post discussions, have open chats, and store useful resources. The instant and direct communication between team members is one of the most effective ways to communicate about outcomes, plans, and results. Systems such as this allow healthcare providers to exchange information and discuss patient cases quickly which allows for more efficient decision making and quicker treatments as well as ensures that all the team members are on the same page with regard to treatment plans, regimens, and any changes or adjustments.

Telehealth greatly utilizes these technologies and “has many points of contact with other medical and non medical applications, such as telediagnosis, teleconsultation, and telemonitoring” with all require forms of communication technologies (McGonigle, 2022).These technology systems allow inter-professional teams to connect, share ideas, and update each other on patient status to come together and coordinate a plan of care.  Nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and specialists can all communicate via these technology systems without the complications of being in different locations and possibly different times. Patients can start to receive the specialists suggested care sooner even prior to the specialists evaluation. For example, when stroke patients come to the emergency department, nurses and doctors from the ED can communicate with the neurologists prior to their arrival to discuss the patients case, assessment, and results in order for the neurologist to provide their suggested treatments prior to their own arrival. In cases as critical as strokes where “time is brain,” these communication technologies can be a factor in saving the patients quality of life by providing a better platform for effective communication between healthcare providers.

These technology systems are also secure channels that fall into the realm of compliance and maintain security and remain monitored and confidential while adhering to the HIPAA standards. This not only allows the rapid communication and treatment but also continues to ensure security and privacy that patients require and expect. These secure messaging platforms are a helpful tool in communication among healthcare teams. These systems hasten the flow of information among the team, encourage a cohesive approach to care, reduces delays, and minimizes errors which encourages teamwork among healthcare providers and improves quality of care.

References

McGonigle, D. & Mastrian, K. (2022). Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge. (Fifth Edition). Jones & Bartlett.

Microsoft Teams for Healthcare. (2023). EPC Group. https://epcgroup.net/microsoft-teams-for-healthcare-industry/#:~:text=Microsoft%20Teams%20accelerates%20decision%2Dmaking,better%20outcome%20and%20personalized%20care

NUR 514 Topic 8 DQ 2 Sample Answer

Telehealth is the use of telecommunications technology that allows for health data collection and transfer, communication between providers and patients, allowing care to be provided to patient’s remotely despite of their location. Frey & Chiu (2021) mentions there are four methods of telehealth which include: synchronous or live video, store-and-forward, remote patient monitoring, and mHealth (mobile health). Synchronous or live video involves a two-way communication between a provide and a patient in real time. Store-and–forward is data and patient history collected by a provider which is stored and can later be obtained by another provider through a secure platform. Remote patient monitoring consists of using digital or electronic tools, that records patient’s health information, such as blood sugar and blood pressures, which can be transmitted automatically to a provider for review. Mobile health refers to the practice of medicine and public health aided by mobile devices such as mobile phones, tablets, personal digital assistants, and the wireless infrastructure (Innovatemedtec, 2021). 

Virtual care is the channel by which healthcare providers communicate with their patients; it is the actual virtual visit that takes place between the healthcare team (MD, nurse, PT, etc.) and the patient. For virtual care to happen communication technologies, such as video, chat or phone are required. This allows patients to be connected to the quality care they need, when they need it most (Synzi, 2018). 

Telehealth can be beneficial when coordinating care for patients. For example, surgical patients needing pre-surgical care and post-surgical care. Nurses can contact patients via e-mail, video conferencing, or the phone, to setup appointments, do post-op teaching, and check on how patients are doing once discharged home after surgery. An example mentioned by McGonigle & Mastrian (2017) is that virtual care allows a nurse to coordinate and complete 12-16 telehealth visits vs 7 visits by a conventional home health care nurse. 

A drawback a nurse can encounter with telehealth, is not being able to do an actual physical examination. There may be instances where a hands-on comprehensive physical assessment is important, which would require the patient to either go to the office or where a nurse would need to go to the patient’s home. Having to draw blood or the patient requiring radiology tests, and technical difficulties with technological devices, could also affect telehealth encounters. 

Nurses need to be mindful of HIPPA regulations and remember they can only treat patients within the state they are licensed in when participating in telehealth (Frey & Chiu, 2021). 

References 

Frey, M.B. & Chiu, S.H. (2021). Considerations when using telemedicine as the advance practice registered nurse. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17 (2021), 289-292). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.11.011 

Innovatemedtec. (2012). What is mHealth? https://innovatemedtec.com/digital-health/mhealth 

McGonigle, D., Mastrian, K. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN-13:9781284121247 

Synzi, L. H. (2018, June 8). Why virtual care is the “new” telehealth. https://www.healthitoutcomes.com/doc/why-virutal-care-is-the-new-telehealth-0001