8 AUGUST 2024IN MY OPINIONNURSE-LED INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE, QUALITY, AND OUTCOMESBy Kristi Boggess, Director, HLVI Patient Care Services, UT Medical CenterIn nursing, there should be a passion and encouragement to increase nurse professionalism and engagement in patient care at all levels. The bedside nurse is an integral part of the healthcare team and needs to become more engaged and confident in participating in interventions to improve patient care, quality, and outcomes. There are a few basics the healthcare community needs to ensure are available for bedside nurses. This includes tools and resources to do their job, education and skills development, confidence in decision-making, and engagement or buy-in. Bedside clinicians, including registered nurses, are essential to the multidisciplinary team to evaluate and treat hospitalized patients. Clinicians need the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to assist in the early identification of patient deterioration. The nurse provides continuous care to the patient at the bedside for 8 to 12 hours and is positioned to recognize changes in a patient's condition. The nurse's ability to recognize changes and act as a patient advocate is imperative to ensure communication and care between the patient and provider. The improved skills, knowledge, awareness, and guidance of nursing practice and protocols assist the nurse in obtaining the care needed for the patient. Barriers to escalating care can exist if the nurse does not have the knowledge, skills, and Kristi Boggess
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