Question: 

• List an additional five ways they could meet their own clients’ needs.
• Expand on the rationale your peer used in their original discussion post.
• You must support your position with high-level research andor evidence-based resources as citations ad references.

Original discussion post: 

1. A patient with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI can cause all sorts of disturbances in a patients daily life. Depending on the severity of the brain injury different precautions need to be taken to ensure the patient does not get overwhelmed. In this specific case the patient was having troubles with their sleep wake cycle. It was vital that they were exposed to light during the day and a dark room in the evening. Our first issue was the room they were in did not get any natural light but we did not have a different room to put them in. An off policy was wrote by the provider to take this patient outside for 30 minutes a day to be exposed to the sunlight. This was against policy as TBI patients need to remain in their room until mostly recovered and evaluated. Once we were able to move them to their new room with a window, we were able to continue to promote sleep hygiene.
2. An autistic patient comes in with light and sound sensitivity. Working with autistic kiddos I’ve learned that a hospital stay is extremely distributing to their strict routines they follow at home. We try our very best to eliminate distractions and entering the room as little as possible, so we tend to cluster care. We put this patient into a single room at the end of the hallway to reduce the amount of traffic by their room. We also keep the lights lower in their room and approach the room quietly.
3. A patient that is paralyzed from the waist down (paraplegia) due to spinal cancer. They get around by a wheelchair. Typically, everything in a hospital is wheelchair accessible. Sometimes though, we need to move equipment around on the unit so that they are able to get around easier. We also had to make sure that the patient was placed in a room with a hoyer lift. The hpyer lift made it easier on the patient and staff to safely transfer them.
4. A patient comes into the hospital to get treated for celiac disease. They are not allowed to have gluten. As a nurse, we need to make sure that their diet order is correct in their chart. This prevents the patient from ordering some thing that has gluten in it. The kitchen puts an automatic block in their chart so that they can’t order items with gluten in it. We have specific menus for patients with all different kinds of allergies and diet limitations.
5. A patient came in for some rehabilitation because they are experiencing increased seizure activity. This patient needed to have their service dog stay with them as they are training to detect when the patient is having a seizure. Per hospital policy, animals are not allowed unless they are a fully trained service animal. We talked with the patients care team as well as the family to make an exception because the dog is in training.

ANSWER

Meeting the unique needs of patients is a crucial aspect of providing patient-centered care

Meeting the unique needs of patients is a crucial aspect of providing patient-centered care. In addition to the strategies mentioned in the original discussion post, there are several other ways healthcare professionals can address the specific needs of their patients. These strategies are based on evidence-based practices and research to ensure the best possible care and outcomes.

Culturally Competent Care: Healthcare providers should receive training in cultural competence to understand and respect diverse patient backgrounds. This includes being sensitive to cultural differences, dietary preferences, and religious practices. Cultural competence enhances patient trust and satisfaction, leading to better health outcomes.

Rationale: Research has shown that culturally competent care improves patient-provider communication, adherence to treatment plans, and overall patient satisfaction (Betancourt, Green, Carrillo, & Park, 2005).

Pain Management Plans: For patients with chronic pain conditions, personalized pain management plans should be developed. This includes the use of non-pharmacological interventions such as physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques in addition to appropriate pain medications.

Rationale: A multidimensional approach to pain management reduces opioid dependence and improves pain control, leading to a better quality of life for patients (Dowell et al., 2016).

Patient Education and Empowerment: Providing patients with educational resources, clear instructions, and involving them in the decision-making process empowers them to actively participate in their care. This approach is particularly important for patients with chronic illnesses.

Rationale: Studies have demonstrated that well-informed and engaged patients are more likely to adhere to treatment plans, manage their conditions effectively, and experience improved health outcomes (Lorig et al., 1999).

Patient and Family Engagement: Encouraging the involvement of family members or caregivers in the care plan can be especially beneficial for patients with complex medical needs. This approach provides emotional support and assists with treatment adherence.

Rationale: Research indicates that involving family members in patient care enhances patient outcomes, reduces readmission rates, and improves patient and family satisfaction (Mitchell, 2009).

Individualized Rehabilitation Programs: Patients undergoing rehabilitation, such as physical therapy after surgery, benefit from personalized exercise and rehabilitation plans tailored to their specific needs and goals.

Rationale: Evidence supports the effectiveness of individualized rehabilitation programs in improving functional outcomes, reducing pain, and enhancing the overall recovery process (Suetta et al., 2004).

In conclusion, meeting patients’ unique needs goes beyond medical treatments and encompasses a holistic approach to care that considers cultural, emotional, and individual factors. Implementing these additional strategies based on evidence-based practices can enhance patient experiences, improve adherence to treatment plans, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes.