When patients come for a checkup, they’re not only looking to get checked. The patients care about the entire experience of being at the hospital. This includes the effectiveness of the healthcare sector as well as the practitioners attending them. Since nurses interact with patients the most, they can ensure patients can have a satisfactory visit to the hospital. Healthcare work is delicate. A minor mishap can quickly escalate into a more significant mistake which can soon become a malpractice lawsuit. Through the proper guidance and support, nurses can strive to make sure patients are happy with their services. Here are some ways as a nurse you should look into if you’re all about patient satisfaction:
- Work on Proper Communication
Good communication is essential in every walk of life. Nurses can set a system for themselves which can help them communicate better. The core of good communication lies in conciseness and clarity. So, nurses should keep the conversation as layman as possible without letting the patient feel overwhelmed. If the patient is a child, they should adopt a friendlier tone. Communication also helps a patient feel comfortable. They may feel more inclined to share their condition in detail if the nurse shows patience.
- Work on Upgrading Their Skills
The more nurses work on their skills, the better they can look after patients. It also helps physicians with their jobs when more trained nurses are on the field. After getting their registered nurse license, most nurses turn towards becoming practitioners. When picking between DNP vs NP, hospitals prefer nurses with both high education and high skill sets. So, if a nurse is working right after becoming a registered practitioner, they should upgrade their skills. Nurses with better skills are more confident, independent, and better at managing cases. With many patients coming into the hospital, it’s always a good idea to keep a team of highly skilled nurses.
- Be a Team Player
Patients may get more than one practitioner while they’re at a hospital. So it’s not unusual for nurses to circulate in teams while managing cases. Nurses need to be flexible enough to fit in with every team they’re assigned. This ensures harmony within the healthcare system and puts a patient’s well-being on the top. In an emergency, the nurse would know how to react and delegate tasks for maximum efficiency. Being a team player also means having a good reputation with the doctor they’re working with. Nurses and doctors go hand in hand. The information nurses collect is essential for doctors to use for diagnosis. So the more a nurse is cooperative and efficient at their job, the happier a patient would be.
- Allow a Patient to Ask Questions
While some practitioners provide the standard level of care before moving to the next patient, pacing each clinical session is essential. Nurses should allow patients to ask questions while preparing their charts. Not only does it help patients, but it also makes it easier for nurses to document the patient more accurately. Patients are already anxious when they come in for a checkup. It puts their minds more at ease when they get their questions answered and are more familiar with their condition. Patients should also be allowed to ask questions over emails or hospital forums to facilitate their understanding more.
- Get More Culture Awareness
The world is now incredibly diverse. People from different backgrounds come together to make up a society. Nurses should try and get more literate about other cultures. If more than one language gets spoken in a region, nurses should try to learn it. Sometimes the patients coming for a checkup aren’t fluent in the native language and prefer theirs.
If a nurse is bilingual or even trilingual, it can help them talk to patients more comfortably. For many patients meeting someone who speaks their language also helps them ease up and talk freely. Part of cultural sensitivity is also learning about religious beliefs that play a role in a patient’s decision-making. So if a patient is hesitating in accepting treatment, a nurse can intervene to help them make a good decision. This ensures that the patient feels both validated and accepted as they get treatment.
- Manage Stress Levels
Stressed out nurses cannot provide adequate care. While it’s true that the healthcare sector is one of the busiest, nurses need to manage their stress. When a nurse is in bad shape, it shows up in their work in multiple ways. They make more mistakes than usual while inspecting and charting a patient. The nurse may also show signs of agitation and aggravation while dealing with a patient, which may unnerve them. In some extreme cases, arguments can also break out between nurses and patients. In all these cases, nurses must manage their stress. They should take up meditation, yoga, and even therapy to help their mental health. So the next time they go in to see a patient, they’re in good condition for their job.
- Help with Policies Related to Patients
While the administration handles policy-making, nurses can still help. The healthcare sector is interested in knowing what shortcomings patients face while visiting the hospital. These can be anything from lack of equipment to lack of telehealth facilities. Unless these issues get addressed, patients may continue getting below-par services, which will pile on their frustration. Nurses can help by relaying their experience working with patients.
If a patient comes forward with a complaint or the nurse notices a problem, they should acknowledge them. These policies can help patients receive adequate care and even safety by informing them how the hospitals will work with them. These policies are also crucial for marginalized communities seeking care. It would help them feel more represented, acknowledged, and safe. Implementation of these policies will fall under individual practitioners, but nurses can ensure the proper procedural following.
- Explain the Discharge Process
Discharging patients is just as crucial as admitting them. However, discharging also takes precedence over admission since it allows practitioners to wrap up an active case. Nurses should try and talk to the patients about their discharge. This includes going over all the treatments and medicines prescribed to them. Suppose the patient is going home after surgery. In that case, they need help managing their pain and medication, including knowing important follow updates. Nurses need to take the time to explain all relevant details ensuring the patient follows. If a nurse feels the patient is too elderly or young to remember, refer the information to their guardian or caretaker.
Final Words
Nurses play an important role in ensuring patients are cared for when they come for treatment. They can do this in several ways. Some ways involve working on themselves by studying ahead and polishing their interpersonal skills. Other factors include taking an interest in the hospital’s administration and suggesting policies. As long as nurses and patients have a good relationship, healthcare is possible. So nurses shouldn’t hesitate to learn new languages, entertain questions, and spend the time getting to know their patients. Ultimately, their efforts pay off in happy and healthy patients.
