Providing optimal patient care requires a teamwork approach. This means that several individuals are involved in a patient’s care. This can cause confusion and sometimes even conflict if there are differing opinions.

If you find yourself in a situation where you’re feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of a patient’s care, here are a few tactile tips to ensure quality patient care remains front and center.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

It can be challenging juggling several patients’ needs at once. For example, a patient may have strict dietary needs requiring kitchen and dietician coordination. A healthcare provider may change the patient’s medications, or physical therapy may increase the number of times a patient should ambulate daily.

If you are involved in direct patient care, for example, as a licensed vocational nurse or certified medical assistant, it is important to be up to date on any dietary needs a patient may have, ambulation goals, new medications, or other key aspects of patient care.

Make sure to review patient charts for changes, try to attend patient rounds or huddles if you work at a facility that has them, and reach out for clarification if you are unsure about an aspect of patient care.

Follow Up on Patient and Family Concerns

Being a patient or the family member of a patient is stressful. Part of quality, patient-centered care is empathy toward the patient experience.

Often, patients or family members may hesitate to ask a doctor or other healthcare provider they perceive as an authority figure a question. The provider may use healthcare terms the patient doesn’t fully understand, or the patient or family members may be unclear on an aspect of treatment.

Often, patients feel more comfortable confiding in other staff members about their concerns or questions. If a patient trusts you to ask a question and you are unsure of the answer, make sure to follow up with their healthcare provider and reassure the patient you will let them know the answer.

If you work as a surgical tech, phlebotomist, or another role where you may not have additional interactions with the patient, inform the patient that you will let their nurse or other care partner know the answer to the question or concern.

Address Conflict Appropriately

It can be challenging when several individuals are involved in a patient’s care. If you have concerns about a patient’s care that aren’t being addressed or another team member is creating conflict among peers, it is important to address these issues.

If the concern is about a patient’s safety or incivility in the workplace, your manager, shift lead, or supervisor are good places to go for help and advice. They can assist in ensuring the patient gets the care they need and help with conflict resolution as needed.

Consider Contract Staffing if You’re Great at Juggling Patient Care

If you find yourself thriving in complex patient care situations, consider healthcare contract staffing. There’s a need for professionals who are great communicators and who are able to address conflict professionally when it does come up.

365 Healthcare Staffing Services is a nationwide healthcare contract staffing agency that would love to help you find the right fit. With positions spanning Florida, Georgia, California, and more, check out their open positions today.