Chapter 8The Health Care Team

The Health Care Team All personnel in all departments of any type of health care facility Primary function of a health care facility is to deliver health care services Patients, clients, or residents are the center of attention

Personal Qualities of Health Care Workers Reliable and dependable Flexible with scheduling Focus on patients and their needs Must be able to function as a member of a team

Organizational Arrangements Health Care Networks and Systems Made up of facilities or organizations that provide a variety of health services Board of trustees Administrator for each facility

Organizational Arrangements Hospitals Hospital administrator is responsible for operation of the facility. Chain of command Board of directors or trustees Major areas of service Business, nursing, medical services, human resources, and support services

Members of the Health Care Team Administrator Aides/assistants Case manager Dentist (DDS) Dietitian EKG technician Health care coordinator Laboratory assistant Laboratory technicians LP/VN Medical doctor (MD) Medical technologist Nurse aide/assistant Nurse practitioner Nurse clinical specialist Occupational therapist

Members of the Health Care Team Radiologic technologist (RT) Registered nurse (RN) Respiratory care practitioner (RCP) Risk manager Social worker Unit manager Optometrist (OD) Osteopathic physician/surgeon (DO) Pathologist Pharmacist Physical therapist Physician’s assistant

The Nursing Team Clinical Nurse Specialist Nurse Managers Plans care and solves clinical problems Nurse Managers Responsible for total operation of unit Plans, supervises, and evaluates nursing care in a single patient unit

The Nursing Team Team Leader Directly involved in providing patient care Responsible for care provided by team Supervises staff Evaluates care Teaches patients and staff Conducts patient care conferences

The Nursing Team Professional Staff Nurses RNs who have direct responsibility for patient care Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses Provide direct nursing service under direct supervision of licensed physician, professional nurse, or dentist in most states

The Nursing Team Nursing Assistants Unlicensed Assistive Personnel Help RNs and LP/VNs by providing basic nursing care Unlicensed Assistive Personnel Taught to perform specific tasks Receive little training Learn clinical skills Clinical instructors legally responsible for actions

The Nursing Team Health Unit Coordinators Multiskilled Workers Provide secretarial services for a nursing unit Multiskilled Workers Patient care technician Must be prepared to provide safe and competent care Most nursing organizations oppose patient care technicians in health care facilities

Multidisciplinary Team Health care workers working together to Solve problems Increase efficiency Decrease lengths of stay Enhance quality of care Provides a single point of contact for the patient Concerned with a patient’s diagnosis and other health needs

Nursing Care Models Case Method Functional Nursing Total Patient Care A nurse is responsible for the entire care of one or more patients for one shift. Functional Nursing Each team member is assigned a specific function or task. Total Patient Care An RN or LP/VN is assigned to provide all care a patient needs.

Nursing Care Models Team Nursing Primary Nursing Team members perform duties for which they are best prepared Small number of patients, team conference, and team planning Primary Nursing Professional nurse totally responsible for patient(s) from admission to discharge Care provided by associate nurses

The Changing Roles of Nurses in Health Care Impact of shortages of professional nurses Increasing cost of nursing salaries leads to reduced nursing staff New titles Nurse practitioner Clinical nurse specialist Primary nurse Nurse-developed initiatives

Question Is the following statement true or false? The health care team is made up of nurses and doctors.

Answer False Rationale: The health care team is made up of all personnel in all departments of a health care facility.

Question A clinical nurse specialist: A. Plans care and solves clinical problems B. Supervises staff C. Responsible for the total operation of his or her unit D. Conducts patient care conferences

Answer A. Plans care and solves clinical problems Rationale: A team leader supervises the staff. A nurse manager is responsible for the total operation of his or her unit. Team leaders conduct patient care conferences.

Question Is the following statement true or false? In the nursing care model known as functional, a nurse is responsible for the entire care of one or more patients for one shift.

Answer False Rationale: In the case method model a nurse is responsible for the entire care of one or more patients for one shift. In the functional model, each team member is assigned a specific function or task.