Communication between nurse and patient family members is a crucial part of a nursing staff’s duty. Communication helps the nurse, the patient, the nurse’s spouse or partner, and other medical team members explain what is happening, how things are progressing, and identify specific needs of the patient. Effective communication between nurse and patient family members can be difficult, mainly when familiarity breeds contempt. However, effective communication between nurse and patient family members is a must in all circumstances.
Several situations call for effective communication between nurse and patient family. One of the most common is when a new patient is admitted. Before the patient is admitted, it is essential to establish an environment of safety and calmness so that the patient is receptive to what will happen to them. Most importantly, the family members need to understand that the new patient is in their lives now, just like any other family member.
This includes letting the family members know that the nurse is willing to participate in their recovery process. It is essential to keep the nurse informed about progress and achievements as this assists them in providing accurate information to the family. The nurse should not assume to know more than the patient. It is also essential to keep the information simple and limited to the basics.
It is also essential to provide information on any treatment, medications, or procedures that the nurse has been trained to perform during hospital hours. Communication between nurse and patient family members is necessary to receive feedback. Some doctors prefer to leave treatment information with nurses to enable them to remember more information if needed. It is recommended that information is provided to the patient’s primary physician in the event of a complication. This will prevent the occurrence of complications that the doctor did not know about.
The nurse needs to maintain contact with the patient at regular intervals. This may include checkups or even just a regular visit to the same room. This helps ensure all information is current and that the doctor is aware of the patient’s progress.
Family members should not feel pressured or talked down to, ways to improve patient satisfaction in hospitals. The nurse should respect their privacy and encourage communication between nurses and patient family members. Family members who feel they are negatively pressured might want to talk to the nurse about it.
The nurse plays a significant role in inpatient care. The staff needs to understand how much the nurse communicates with the patient family. When a nurse communicates with the family, the patient needs to feel the same tone of caring. There should not be any negativity or complaining from either party, but instead, an exchange of information, giving each party time to reflect before making decisions or therapy choices.
Communication between nurse and patient family can be positive for everyone involved. However, some issues can still arise between the nurse and the patient or between the nurse and family members. A nurse must keep communication between patient and nurse as open and honest as possible. If there is any doubt about a nurse’s ability to handle certain situations, the nurse should step back and allow time to address the situation. Also, if a nurse fails to communicate with the patient family, it could lead to a negative experience for everyone.