CS 1
An 82-year-old patient had an elective total hip replacement on a Monday morning. She lives alone, and all three of her children live
out of state. She has a friend. a nurse, who lives locally, who is listed as her durable power of attorney, along with her children. Upon
admission, the patient noted that the phone number of her daughter, her primary emergency contact, was incorrect, and she provided
the correct information to the clerk, who indicated that the information would be corrected. For 2 days, her postoperative course was
uneventful, and her daughter went home on Tuesday night. On Wednesday evening. the patient had a dramatic drop in blood
pressure, became delirious, and was transferred to the ICU. The night staff attempted to call the daughter at the phone number that
was provided, but it was the wrong number because the correction was never made. The following morning, the daughter called the
unit to inquire about her mother. She was told that the mother was not on the unit, and no information could be given out because of
HIPAA. The daughter then called the hospital and was told her mother was in the ICU, and then when she called the ICU. she was told
that no information could be given out. Subsequently, the daughter contacted the family friend, who provided her with names of the
nursing leadership staff and the patient ombudsman. The friend arrived at the hospital within an hour, and the daughter arrived in the
afternoon.
CS 1 Questions:
1. CS 1 Questions: (minimum of one paragraph per question)
1. What is patient advocacy based on the Yoder-Wise text and current pcer-reviewed journal literature?
2. What is the purpose of the emergency contact?
3. What is the function of a Durable Power of Attorney?
4. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility for patient advocacy in this situation during and after the incident?
How should the nurse have advocated for the patient and family when the patient’s status changed that Wednesday night?
. How should the nurse have advocated for the paticnt and family when the daughter called the unit to inquire about her mother the following
morning?
How should the ICU nurse have advocated for the patient and family when the daughter called to fnd out information about her mother?
.How should the nurse advocate for the patient and family when the fricnd does arrive at the hospital within the hour?
How should the nurse advocate for the patient and family when the daughter arrives in the afternoon?
5. What two steps should be taken to ensure that this kind of situation doesn’t happen again?
Requirements:
. Post CS 1 by Thursday
. Reply to 2 of your course peers by Sunday.
– Demonstrate depth and thought in your posting and your responses by citing at least 2 references ( 1 peer-reviewed no more than
7 years old and Yoder- Wise Text) for your posting and each of
CS 1 Answers
1. What is patient advocacy based on the Yoder-Wise text and current peer-reviewed journal literature?
Patient advocacy, according to the Yoder-Wise text and current peer-reviewed literature, is the act of supporting and promoting the interests of the patient throughout their healthcare journey. It involves ensuring that the patient’s rights are respected, their needs and preferences are met, and they receive adequate information to make informed decisions. Advocates work to ensure quality and equitable care, acting as a liaison between the patient and healthcare providers, and sometimes stepping in to navigate complex healthcare systems.
2. What is the purpose of the emergency contact?
The purpose of an emergency contact is to provide healthcare professionals with a reliable way to communicate important health-related information about a patient when the patient is unable to communicate for themselves. This contact is crucial during emergencies to make informed decisions quickly, particularly when immediate family members or decision-makers need to be involved in care discussions or decisions.
3. What is the function of a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA)?
The function of a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is to designate a person who can legally make healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient if the patient becomes incapacitated or is otherwise unable to make decisions for themselves. This appointed person has the authority to discuss the patient’s medical condition with healthcare providers and make decisions about medical treatments and procedures in line with the patient’s wishes.
4. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility for patient advocacy in this situation during and after the incident?
The nurse’s primary responsibility in this scenario involves:
- During the Incident: Ensuring that all patient information, including emergency contact details, is accurate and updated. They should have checked the emergency contact information after the correction was supposedly made and verified it. Upon recognizing the patient’s deteriorating condition, the nurse should have facilitated immediate and effective communication with the correct emergency contact.
- After the Incident: The nurse should ensure that the daughter receives all necessary information about her mother’s condition and location promptly, adhering to HIPAA regulations but also recognizing the urgency of the situation.
5. How should the nurse have advocated for the patient and family?
- When the Patient’s Status Changed: The nurse should have ensured that the correct emergency contact details were used. They should have communicated the situation to the patient’s durable power of attorney or next of kin immediately.
- When the Daughter Called the Unit: The nurse should have promptly confirmed the daughter’s identity and then provided her with all the necessary information about the patient’s transfer and condition, while maintaining HIPAA compliance.
- When the ICU Was Contacted: The ICU nurse should have verified the caller’s identity and provided appropriate information to reassure and inform the daughter about her mother’s status.
- When the Friend Arrived at the Hospital: The nurse should have worked with the friend to ensure she was informed about the patient’s condition and care, facilitating communication with the healthcare team.
- When the Daughter Arrived in the Afternoon: The nurse should ensure that the daughter receives a comprehensive update on her mother’s condition and care plan, facilitating any needed discussions with doctors or staff.
6. What two steps should be taken to ensure that this kind of situation doesn’t happen again?
- Implementation of a Robust Verification System: There should be a system in place to ensure that all patient information, especially contact details, is verified at the point of entry and regularly checked for accuracy.
- Training and Protocols on Communication: Regular training should be conducted for all staff on effective communication, particularly in emergency situations, including how to handle updates to patient information and the importance of verifying and using correct contact details. This training should also reinforce understanding and compliance with HIPAA regulations to balance patient confidentiality with the need to communicate effectively in emergencies.