An Importance of Attending Care Conferences for Nurses

Introduction

Residential care versus hospital settings involve different levels and settings of care, yet they require similar tasks from Practical Nurses (PNs) in both locations. PNs must take leadership roles to complete tasks, delegate responsibilities to Resident Care Aides (RCAs), and communicate effectively with other staff members, family members, and patients. It is crucial for PNs to thoroughly understand their tasks, particularly before and during care conferences. According to the Nursing Interventions Classification, a care conference is defined as "a gathering for discussion or deliberation, where patient care is planned and evaluated with health professionals from other disciplines" (Nursing Interventions Classification, n.d.). This is a vital task because it allows the patient's family to discuss the patient's condition with the doctor, assess their progress, or address any changes in their health. Before a care conference, PNs must prepare necessary materials and understand their role in the conference. During the conference, PNs must be equipped to prevent any potential conflicts between patients and staff.

Preparation for Care Conferences

Before the day of the care conference, preparation is a critical task for nurses. Preparation entails ensuring that the patient's health is accurately represented through the materials the nurse organizes. First, the nurse must confirm who will attend the conference and where it will be held. This can be done by calling or emailing attendees to remind them of the meeting and confirm their attendance and the location. Proper scheduling is essential to avoid overcrowding and ensure that meetings proceed smoothly. If multiple patient family members are present simultaneously, sharing patient information becomes complicated, and meetings may not occur effectively.

After confirming attendees, nurses should inform their team about the upcoming care conference to ensure that patient charting is accurate and up-to-date. They must be aware of any changes in the patient's condition. Next, organizing the patient’s care chart is crucial. The chart contains the patient's medical history, diagnosis, lab test results, assessment results, and special instructions. These documents are essential for the interdisciplinary team to evaluate changes since the previous meeting. While organizing, nurses should note any necessary chart modifications.

Organizing Patient Information

In addition to organizing the care chart, nurses must prepare a list of the patient's medications. This ensures the team can assess whether medications are effective and not causing issues for the patient or staff. If problems arise, the team will evaluate whether to change the medication, adjust the dosage, add a new medication, or discontinue it.

Nurses must also organize recent charts written by staff who have cared for the patient. These charts differ from care charts as they contain staff reports about patient statements, health concerns, perceived conditions, falls, or pressure ulcers from recent weeks. If alarming concerns are reported, they will be addressed in the conference, and a care plan will be developed. This may include additional devices to improve the patient's well-being. The chart should also include the patient's recent vital sign assessments, which are not part of the care chart. Fluctuations in vital signs could indicate underlying health issues.

Responsibilities During Care Conferences

Beyond preparation, nurses have significant responsibilities during care conferences. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, responsibility is "a thing which one is required to do as part of a job, role, or legal obligation" (Oxford Dictionaries | English, 2018). Listening is the most important responsibility of the practical nurse during the meeting. This responsibility is crucial because the nurse is accountable for patient care and developing care plans. During the meeting, the doctor may ask or request something, and the nurse must listen carefully to respond accurately, as these responses guide the doctor's orders.

Another responsibility is speaking up. Nurses must report the patient's status and any health changes. This responsibility ensures attendees understand any status changes or needs for patient comfort and addresses any issues that arise. Additionally, taking notes during the meeting is essential. When the doctor orders something, it must be documented to implement it effectively. Orders may include medication changes, assessments, or any interventions that improve patient well-being. Notes are crucial for updating care plans and informing staff of orders.

Nurses must also ask questions during the meeting. Asking questions demonstrates thoroughness and prevents misunderstandings. By questioning, nurses can uncover new ideas for patient care or identify potential issues, such as alternative treatment methods.

Managing Potential Conflicts

Conflicts can occur in any setting. Conflict is defined as "a disagreement in values or beliefs within oneself or between people that causes harm or has the potential to cause harm" (Conflict Definition, n.d.). While conflict is not inherently negative, it is beneficial to prevent it before it arises. To manage potential conflicts, nurses should always listen attentively. Listening allows them to document decisions and orders accurately, enabling them to address problems effectively and demonstrate adherence to given orders.

Clarification is another strategy to prevent conflicts. Nurses can clarify orders, test results, medication changes, and family requests by asking questions or requesting repetition. When doctors or other attendees make requests, nurses can ensure accuracy by seeking clarification, leading to better documentation and adherence to protocols.

Conclusion

In conclusion, care conferences are both important and time-consuming. For them to be effective, nurses must understand their purpose. Nurses are responsible not only for patient care, advocacy, and education but also for preparing for and participating in care conferences. They play a crucial role as the bridge between the patient and the healthcare team. By addressing patient needs through collaboration, nurses ensure comprehensive and effective patient care.

References:

• Nursing Interventions Classification. (n.d.). Retrieved from [source link]
• Oxford Dictionaries | English. (2018). Responsibility. Retrieved from [source link]
• Conflict Definition. (n.d.). Retrieved from [source link]