Diversity in Patient Care
DIVERSITY IN PATIENT CARE
Diversity in Patient Care
Cami Meadows
Grand Canyon University: NRS-429V Family-Centered Health Promotion
June 17th, 2006
Diversity in Patient Care
The field of nursing is complex with a considerable amount of knowledge needed to provide quality of care for patients. With that in mind, understanding each individual can contribute to optimal care. In any hospital, a variety of patients from many different cultures are admitted. These patients have beliefs, morals, and practices that affect care and can contribute to the well-being of the patient. Learning about cultures can be accomplished though research, peers and discussing with the patient. Certain procedures and interventions could be contraindicated with beliefs and practices preventing proper healing. By taking the patients culture into consideration, the nurse can have better success with teaching, achieving trust from the patient and implementing proper care for adequate healing. First, knowledge about each culture and individual must be obtained before medical staff can be aware of the customs. The demographics of the hospital or care setting can determine the popular ethnicity of the patients receiving care. These care facilities can adjust and accommodate to the patient’s needs. Some accommodations include language interrupters and diet considerations. Besides learning about the area another resource would be the patient. Asking the patient about their nationality and discussing with the patient about issues that could interfere with care. Family members are also a beneficial way of retrieving information about cultural acknowledgement. A heritage tool may be used to identify traditions and ethnic backgrounds used at home. The Heritage Assessment Tool developed by Rachel Spector (2000) asks questions pertaining to the individual’s practices, family origin and demographics.
Diversity in Patient Care
Cami Meadows
Grand Canyon University: NRS-429V Family-Centered Health Promotion
June 17th, 2006
Diversity in Patient Care
The field of nursing is complex with a considerable amount of knowledge needed to provide quality of care for patients. With that in mind, understanding each individual can contribute to optimal care. In any hospital, a variety of patients from many different cultures are admitted. These patients have beliefs, morals, and practices that affect care and can contribute to the well-being of the patient. Learning about cultures can be accomplished though research, peers and discussing with the patient. Certain procedures and interventions could be contraindicated with beliefs and practices preventing proper healing. By taking the patients culture into consideration, the nurse can have better success with teaching, achieving trust from the patient and implementing proper care for adequate healing. First, knowledge about each culture and individual must be obtained before medical staff can be aware of the customs. The demographics of the hospital or care setting can determine the popular ethnicity of the patients receiving care. These care facilities can adjust and accommodate to the patient’s needs. Some accommodations include language interrupters and diet considerations. Besides learning about the area another resource would be the patient. Asking the patient about their nationality and discussing with the patient about issues that could interfere with care. Family members are also a beneficial way of retrieving information about cultural acknowledgement. A heritage tool may be used to identify traditions and ethnic backgrounds used at home. The Heritage Assessment Tool developed by Rachel Spector (2000) asks questions pertaining to the individual’s practices, family origin and demographics.