Professional Collaboration In Healthcare

Collaborative practice is essential to providing quality healthcare. Professional collaboration in healthcare, as part of the nursing social policy statement, states that the nursing profession concentrates on the development of efficient working relationships. These endeavors allow us to achieve our health oriented mission as professionals. While I support collaborative practice, mutual respect and partnership must be key components to maintain its effectiveness. This shared involvement allows for the active participation in decision-making while accepting the shared responsibility for patient outcomes. Collaboration is influential for the safety of our patients, maintaining true integrity of the profession, and the trust of society.

Background

Nurses utilize the nursing process in the delivery of patient-centered care, upholding the standards in which we practice, and maintain a professional code of ethics. The sharing of knowledge and function enables nurses to remain focused on our mission.

Discussion

Professional collaboration in healthcare is a partnership that allows the active participants the ability to utilize their expertise and strengths to reach a common goal of patient-centered care. Each member's contribution adds a unique value toward the development and execution of the plan of care.

The purpose collaboration adds to our healthcare system, is the ability to enhance public involvement in health policy and maintain focus on health. The collaborative initiative recognizes that each party involved excepts responsibility both individually and as a whole. In order for this collaborative relationship between nurses and other health professionals to maintain its effectiveness and success, members must adapt to one another and recognize

My department uses a technique called SBAR (situation, background, assessment, and recommendation) in an effort to convey critical information in a structured manner. This method of collaboration enables individuals to bridge the gap in communication while promoting patient safety. Our procedural department encounters emergent situations that require a radiologic intervention any time of day or night. Patients often undergo various transitions of care, as a result. Unfortunately, these transitions do not go as planned and may result in untoward patient outcomes.

For example, a patient entered the radiology lab in need of a vascular procedure. Safety belts are applied to all patients upon transfer to the procedure table. However, due to time constraints, the belt was not applied and the procedure began. The nurse monitoring the patient for the procedure was not notified the patient was an amputee with a compromised neurological status. Subsequently, the patient fell from the table suffering multiple facial fractures. This breakdown in communication, and inadequate time provided prior to the procedure, resulted in patient injury. Proper collaboration is necessary in the delivery of safe, quality care.