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Nursing Manual Coordination and communication Nurses who care for persons with developmental disabilities often are faced with a variety of problems that they must solve. The solutions will frequently involve communication and collaboration with others and coordination of appointments, reports, treatments, etc.The RN or LPN is just one member of a team whose collective goal is to provide services for persons who may not be able to advocate for themselves or who have no involved family members. All team members can give useful input and are expected to help in the interdisciplinary team process. Each member in the home or household has something valuable to contribute. Showing respect and listening to each person's opinion can enhance the quality of nursing care and ultimately the quality of life for the individual. The RN or LPN may have more health knowledge than other team members and should be prepared and able to teach others about the person's health issues. Other team members and the home's staff may not understand health issues and the associated needs of the individual. However, they are able to give valuable input about signs and symptoms and other issues about which the RN can base a health care plan/nursing care plan. When disagreements occur At times there may be disagreements about a person's health care or services. Team members should always place the person's needs first and foremost (what would you want if this person was a family member?). Often it is just a degree of misunderstanding. Not all persons hear the same information or may hear incomplete information leading to confusion. Bringing the team together to go over the issues frequently resolves the conflict. If the disagreement continues, ask the agency's administration or the person's case manager to review the information which may give a new perspective. Getting a professional opinion or a second opinion may offer alternative options or give more details so that the team can have more information on which to base their decisions. If the person has a guardian, their opinion is final. However, if the team feels that the guardian is not acting in the person's best interest, they can file a court petition or help the person obtain a lawyer. |
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