CUSP: Effective Patient and Family Communication

Summary

In this healthcare setting, a patient named Ms. Adams is assisted with her recovery process, including a post-surgery walk. The healthcare provider ensures her comfort with pain medication and checks for dizziness. The importance of medication adherence, particularly a blood thinner, is emphasized for clot prevention. Mr. Adams, her spouse, is involved in her care, learning about her medications and their administration. The healthcare team provides educational materials and reviews medication dosages to support Ms. Adams' recovery at home.

Takeaways

• 👣 'You did a great job on that walk.' - Positive reinforcement is used to encourage the patient after a successful walk.
• 🚶‍♀️ 'It will get easier, won't it?' - The patient is reassured that the recovery process will become more manageable over time.
• 🤝 'I'm really glad that you're able to be here...' - The presence of a family member during the patient's walk is seen as beneficial for understanding the recovery process.
• 💊 'Now, we gave her the pain medication an hour before she walked...' - Medication is administered to ensure comfort during physical activity.
• 🛏️ '...when we got her out of bed we had her sit on the edge of the bed...' - Precautions are taken to prevent dizziness post-medication.
• 🚶 '...then we had her to stand for a minute...' - Standing before walking is a step to ensure the patient's stability and readiness.
• 🩸 'She's on a blood thinner to prevent blood clots...' - The patient's medication regimen includes blood thinners, highlighting the importance of medication adherence.
• 📅 'I really liked that little calendar you showed me...' - A visual aid like a calendar is appreciated for tracking medication times.
• 🤔 'I'm not sure either one of us is clear on the dose of each medicine.' - There's an expressed need for clarification on medication dosages.
• 📚 'I'll go over the doses now, and we'll review them again...' - The healthcare provider commits to reviewing medication details to ensure understanding before discharge.

Q & A

What assistance was provided to Ms. Adams regarding her slippers?

Ms. Adams was helped to remove her slippers after her walk.

How did Ms. Adams perform during her walk?

Ms. Adams did a great job on her walk, as acknowledged by the staff.

What was the staff's response to Ms. Adams' feelings after the walk?

The staff reassured Ms. Adams that her recovery will get easier over time.

What is the significance of Mr. Adams being present during the walk?

Mr. Adams' presence is important for him to understand what to expect when his wife is at home and to observe her recovery progress.

Why was pain medication given to Ms. Adams before her walk?

Ms. Adams was given pain medication an hour before her walk to ensure she felt comfortable during the activity.

What precaution was taken before Ms. Adams started walking?

Before walking, Ms. Adams was asked to sit on the edge of the bed to check for dizziness and then stand for a minute to ensure she was okay.

Why is it important for Ms. Adams to take her medications on time at home?

Ms. Adams is on a blood thinner to prevent blood clots, and timely medication, along with walking, helps keep her blood circulating and prevents clotting.

What tool was mentioned to help manage Ms. Adams' medication schedule?

A calendar with all the medication times charted out was mentioned as a helpful tool.

What was the concern expressed by Mr. Adams regarding the medication?

Mr. Adams was not clear on the dose of each medicine his wife was taking.

How did the staff respond to Mr. Adams' concern about medication doses?

The staff member acknowledged the concern and agreed to go over the medication doses, promising to review them again before discharge and provide printed materials.

What additional support is being provided to Mr. Adams for his wife's care at home?

The staff is providing printed materials to assist Mr. Adams in managing his wife's medication and care at home.