Encouraging Patients and Families to Influence Change on a Palliative Care Unit

Abstract

This article describes how a series of patient satisfaction surveys on a palliative care unit were used to help influence the care provided to patients and their families. Innovative interventions aimed at addressing areas of lower satisfaction identified in the initial survey are described. The results from a follow-up survey provided the opportunity to evaluate whether our interventions were effective in improving patient satisfaction and highlight new areas of concern needing to be addressed.

Grado de satisfacción de los cuidadores principales de pacientes seguidos por los equipos de cuidados paliativos

“…Las encuestas de satisfacción de pacientes son una manera de asegurar que como equipo de salud se está haciendo el mejor trabajo posible para ellos; además, ofrecen una oportunidad al equipo de reflexionar sobre las cuestiones que los pacientes paliativos y sus cuidadores principales identifican como los que más afectan a su nivel de satisfacción 4 .…”

“…Un enfoque centrado en el paciente ha sido vinculado a niveles más altos de calidad y una mayor satisfacción del paciente 4 . Los cuidados paliativos ofrecen un enfoque único al integrar las necesidades de la familia en el cuidado del paciente.…”

“…Los factores que son importantes al evaluar la satisfacción con el cuidado de los pacientes en cuidados paliativos y sus seres queridos son: el intercambio de información, la competencia del personal y el manejo de los síntomas 4 .…”

Being more conscientious, collaborative, and confident in addressing patients' fears and anxieties: nurses' perspectives

“…19 A key component of establishing a therapeutic relationship with patients includes better involving them in their care and addressing their self-identified needs. This is linked to improved care quality and enhanced patient satisfaction, 12,13 and is a key aspect of patient-centered care which recognizes the patients' needs and concerns, which may be unique from that of the medical perspective.…”

“…10 Effective nurse-patient therapeutic partnerships have been shown to enhance satisfaction with nursing care 11 and quality of care. 12,13 As psychological care of patients is becoming more prominent within health care, there is growing recognition that patients living with chronic lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease often experience increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to their healthy counterDovepress submit your manuscript | www.dovepress.com This article was published in the following Dove Press journal: Nursing: Research and Reviews 17 August 2013 Number of times this article has been viewed parts. 14,15 Studies have demonstrated that the CF population has few, if any, differences in anxiety, depression, and selfimage compared to non-CF patients under regular circumstances.…”