By: Lowell Fein, MPA, LNHA
Administrator - Beachview Care & Rehabilitation Center
The long term care arena has expanded greatly over the past decade.
The "Continuum" includes skilled nursing care (nursing home),
subacute and rehabilitation services, assisted living and adult medical
day care, among others. Unlike any other sector of healthcare, teamwork
and communication take on an added level of significance in long term
care. So much so, that it is actually mandated by federal regulations,
with the Interdisciplinary Care Plan Team, better known as the IDCP
Team. Teams also take on other forms as well. They include an Administrator
and his/her department heads, or a nurse and his/her CNA's. Good communication
among all team members will go a long way in a resident's acclimation
to their new home environment, be it for a short or longer stay. Excellent
teamwork and communication is critical to the overall quality of care
rendered and the residents eventual outcome.
Webster's Dictionary defines communications as "An exchange of
information." Furthermore, communication can take place in two
ways. It can be verbal or non-verbal. Verbal communication is exactly
that. Information exchanged at a staff meeting, or nurses giving report
at the change of a shift. All very key to good teamwork and high quality
resident care. Non-verbal communication is equally important to the
success of a long term care facility and in turn the care of its residents.
How do staff greet each other, or families and residents. Is there a
"warm smile and friendly hello?" Was eye contact made? How
often do staff at a nursing station (not just nurses) have their head
buried in a chart when a family member is asking a question and give
the answer without even lifting their head. Aside from being discourteous
and disrespectful, it speaks volumes regarding the integrity and professionalism
of the people caring for that person's loved one.
Teamwork and communication can lead to a positive experience for all
involved, or a negative one when there are breakdowns. It can also go
a long way in building trust among staff, as well as for the residents
and their family members. We are seen and observed by many people throughout
the day. What impression you leave on them is often the one that stays
with them. You don't get a second chance to make a good first impression.
Are the staff well groomed? Are they in a clean and neat uniform? Do
they display a generally good and positive appearance? These are not
only further aspects of non-verbal communication, but they also say
a lot about who you are, how you want others to think of you, and that
you care about what you do.
In the final analysis, it is not about how fast you do your job, but
how well you do it that will be remembered. Let me leave you with this
thought to ponder: Everybody thinks somebody is going to do it, but
while anybody can, nobody does. Furthermore, the pneumonic for TEAM
is very true:
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Together
Everyone
Achieves
More |
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Truly, the essence of teamwork and communication really can and in
fact does make a difference.
