This paper will be addressing a clinical case study from the writer's current experience that illustrates collaborative nursing practice. According to Schueller and Kimbrell (2003, p. 2), "When one refers to collaborative practice within a hospital setting, they are referring to healthcare personnel working together to care for patients and families". Collaboration is defined as "working together, especially in a joint intellectual effort to achieve a desired outcome; to cooperate" (American Heritage Dictionary, 2000).
Describe Clearly a Specific Clinical Case and Use it to Showcase How Collaborative Practice Occurs The writer is a registered nurse in the operating room (OR) who had the profound pleasure of providing care to a patient who was scheduled for elective surgery. Mrs. K.M. is a pleasant fifty- five year old, married white female who was scheduled to have an infusa port inserted for chemotherapy post operatively. Mrs. K. M. was diagnosed on February 22nd 2006 of having invasive right breast cancer.
The writer reviewed Mrs. K. M. past medical history which was nil significant. The patient's vital signs were within normal range; there were no known allergies. Past surgical history indicated that the patient adenoids and tonsils were removed as a child and Mrs. K.M. have had two caesarean sections which were uncomplicated. Family history showed that the patient's mother died from complications of uterine carcinoma. K.M. (personal communication, March 15, 2006).
Collaborative practice occurred from the patient's initial arrival at the hospital's facility. On arrival at the facility, the patient had to be registered. Personnel's in the admission department obtained pertinent biographical data which was then entered into the computer system; this would assist in maintaining continuity of care. Communication plays a vital role in collaborative nursing practice; since if the data obtained from the patient is incorrect