Interprofessional Teams Essay

Interprofessional teams are a crucial aspect of patient outcomes in the Medical Intensive Care Unit. Each patient is complex with different needs, from their health history to their social history. In the MICU, the interprofessional team can consist of any combination of the following: physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, dieticians, pharmacists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, and palliative care. Together, we work to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient. One aspect that can be improved on is communication between team members. Using the components of the iCARE model, we can improve our communication thus improving patient outcomes. Compassion is an essential trait for nurses, especially those working

The ICU can be a physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing environment for all and it is important for us to show empathy and grace towards our colleagues as well as our patients and their families. “A component of working with compassion is our ability to empathize and understand the emotional states of our patients and visitors; however, in order to perform our duties, our own emotions need to be placed ‘on hold’.” (Highfield, J., 2019) One way that we can show compassion for others is to take time to acknowledge each other’s feelings as well as our own. When we bottle up emotions they have a way of festering into depression, resentment, and anger. Taking the time to talk things out with our colleagues and listening to our patients and peers allows us to form bonds built on trust and compassion. Advocacy is one of the core elements of the nursing practice. Using active listening to listen to patients and their families' concerns to advocate on their behalf is one of our primary functions. Active listening also enhances interprofessional communication. One example of this is the use of closed-loop communication during

Evidence-based practice is one of the cornerstones of nursing practice. EBP allows healthcare providers to deliver appropriate, effective, and most importantly, safe care. In the ICU setting, the nurse leader can form a team of nurses to present the latest EBP on various topics concerning the ICU. Once a month, this team can present its findings to the rest of the nurses, applicable administrators, and the interdisciplinary team. To better foster interdisciplinary relationships, the EBP team can collaborate with a different discipline each quarter during the year. This practice will benefit the patient in that their care will be influenced by the most up-to-date practices and theories. Compassion, advocacy, resilience, and evidence-based practice are each a pillar of nursing care. When these pillars are applied to interprofessional teams, patient outcomes are improved. By using active listening, we can provide compassion toward others and advocate for our patient’s needs. By acknowledging the feelings and needs of our colleagues and patients we can bolster resiliency. And by using EBP we can ensure safe and effective care for our patients as a