Crisis Management Communication Plan Hsc 350

Crisis Management Communication Plan
Stephanie Collins
HSC/350
December 15, 2014
Michael Veal
Crisis Management Communication Plan
A crisis is defined as a time of intense difficulty, trouble or danger. This situation can come in the form of an important decision must be made in one’s health. Everyone deals with a crisis in a differently. In order to manage a crisis appropriately the proper communication must be used. Health care professionals need to learn how to effectively communicate in any type of crisis. Dynamics of communication used during a crisis can make a difference in how someone will react and respond to a high stress situation.
Stress Reduction
There are many ways to reduce stress during a crisis. Implementing a way
Resolving the challenges takes training, open communication and good listening skills. There is a need to work collaboratively and clarify the communication between all parties involved. Potential challenges can come from miscommunication and becoming defensive. It is possible that the person making the statement may have meant one thing and the person they are talking to understands it as something else. This can further complicate the crisis and create more challenge. Active listening skills, clarifying information and being aware of nonverbal communication are specific ways to avoid miscommunication. If the health care professional is not approachable, has poor verbal and nonverbal communication skills and appears defensive when spoken to, the communication challenges will continue or even become worse (Arnold & Boggs, 2011). It is essential to understand what it will take to resolve communication challenges or spot potential
Sometimes it is something that we can predict. Other times the crisis happens upon us suddenly and without warning. In departments such as the Emergency Department (ED), crisis can generally be expected and the ED staff can safely believe that there will be a crisis during their shift. The outcome of the crisis can depend on how it is approached and dealt with. A patient’s rapid deterioration of their state of health or arrest in front of the family is a common crisis situation that occurs where I work. This puts the staff as well as the patient and patient’s family in crisis mode. I feel that my job as the patient’s nurse is to make sure that the situation flows as efficiently as possible. Crisis communication needs to be initiated immediately. My verbal and nonverbal communication can affect the situation. I also need to pick up on the verbal and nonverbal cues of the family. It is also important to collaborate with the team, listen to both staff and families and communicate in a professional manor. Active listening is a prominent quality of a leader, along with how they lead the team. A positive approach is always best while maintaining clear and concise communication. There are times when it is necessary to use assertive communication. This is true when dealing with a difficult person, staff or family member. The nurse needs to be a leader, professional and assertive in order to