HJAR Mar/Apr 2020

18 MAR / APR 2020 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS   NURSING ROUNDTABLE Do you feel nursing is adequately included in the team approach model? Brackeen I certainly believe that nursing’s position has improved over my career in the hospital setting. My clinical background is emergency nursing, and during my years in the ED I found that the relationship between the physicians and nurses was very different than those inmost other areas of the hospital. The ED setting fostered relationships with a high degree of mutual respect for each per- son’s contribution to the success of the team. Today’s hospitals feature increased numbers of hospital-based physicians (i.e., hospitalists, intensivists, etc.), which seems to foster rela- tionships that more closely resemble those mutually respectful ones. Diedrich Yes, nursing is a vital part of the in- terdisciplinary healthcare team, and is well represented. It is my role as the chief nurs- ing officer to ensure that nursing is always included in decisions that impact our patients and coworkers. Green More than ever before, nurses are considered care team partners, along with other healthcare professionals and physi- cians. Nurses use evidence-based practice to provide care and apply new research findings to practice environments and policy develop- ment. This collaboration amongst caregivers is imperative, as it contributes to the suc- cessful delivery of high-quality patient care. Hickman I feel like nursing is the leader of the team approach to patient care. Case man- agement nurses are the best in coordinating post-acute care management, and in finding the additional resources necessary following hospitalization. Without their service, there would likely be an increase in readmissions. I think the multidisciplinary approach to patient care management is the best when each discipline can practice at the top of the scope of their individual license, such as RN, pharmacist, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, case manager, nutritionist, social worker, and others. Ray Without a doubt, yes. The team ap- proach model invites much greater rec- ognition of nursing insights and guidance, from the inception of care planning through discharge. It is the best it has ever been, from my perspective. We have certainly made great strides since I started my nursing ca- reer, but we still have work to do. We see this model shine when the team gives each member an opportunity to update the pa- tient’s status and needs before a final plan is determined. Nurses can be uniquely experi- enced and knowledgeable when developing the right care plan. Outside of direct patient care, nurses are critical to efficient operations and quality