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PRACTICE
Keeping the Patient at the Center of our Care
By Deepa Lalu, MSN, RN-BC
By Deepa Lalu, MSN, RN-BC
As we go back to the basics, we must remember the Houston Methodist Professional Practice Model. This model gives us the template by which we provide nursing care by keeping patients and their families at the center of our care.
The foundation of nursing at Houston Methodist is an evidence-based practice that focuses on continued research and innovation. Shared governance allows staff on the units to create a working environment that is functional for their practice. Professional development of staff, either through advanced degrees or certifications, can help build a workforce that is consistently looking toward the newest innovations and best practices. The service and the quality of care provided by nursing staff are pivotal in how our patients view the hospital and thereby continue to return time and again. Our practice standards are built through evidence-based research on the units, which is then disseminated throughout the hospital. Financial stewardship is an often-forgotten part of nursing and can be detrimental to not only staff but also patients.
This foundation helps direct the patient care delivery model, which places the patient and the family in the center of our care. Utilizing the patient care delivery model allows for the outcomes of satisfaction, safety, quality, knowledge and efficiency to be met. The overarching connector of the patient care delivery model and outcomes is the I CARE values that make our organization unique in the care we provide.
As we see in the model, we must remember to keep the patient and the family at the center of our care. They should be what drives us to do our very best in every action we take.
How can we make sure that we keep the patient and family at the center of our care? Simple interventions like asking them what they would like to be called and taking the time to talk to them can help build trust with the patient. Your everyday tasks of monitoring your patient’s vitals, labs and monitors to keep them stable are part of creating patient and family-centered care. Utilizing a collaborative interprofessional team is part of this model because every member of the care team must provide patient-centered care. Any interaction with a Houston Methodist employee should include the I CARE values that are part of our culture. Using these values ensures the best outcomes for the patient and guarantees their safety and satisfaction.
How do you plan on providing patient-centered care today?
