Shared on behalf of Shannon Schiffer, Manager, Patient & Family Centred Care
As part of maintaining a Patient and Family Centred Care culture, we are encouraging commitment to the implemented strategies that embed PFCC values into our organization, including NOD (Name, Occupation, Do) and the use of bedside communication Whiteboards, which is a PFCC best practice.
NOD – Name, Occupation, Do
The goal of NOD is to decrease anxiety and enhance the patient’s understanding of their care and care providers. A patient may interact with over 20 people a day while accessing our services. When staff interact with patients without a NOD, it can be confusing, or even frightening to the patient. Wearing PPE makes it even more difficult for patients to recognize members of their care team, making verbal NOD for every patient during every interaction especially important. As many patients have an extensive multidisciplinary health care team, it is also important to NOD to co-workers to help facilitate open communication between healthcare team members and ensure proper documentation of completed referrals.
Bedside Communication Whiteboard
The bedside communication whiteboard is a tool that improves communication between patients, family and the health care team. It is used to communicate information, goals and readiness for discharge. It allows information to be clear, complete, timely, accurate and useful in helping patients and families effectively participate in care and decision-making. The whiteboard should be updated when the patient is initially admitted, the beginning of each shift change, when there is a significant change in patient information e.g., post-operatively and throughout the day as appropriate. Communication is a significant factor in better health outcomes, overall patient satisfaction, and patient care.
Please continue to emphasize the use of NOD and Bedside communication principles and continuously demonstrate your commitment to Patient and Family Centred Care.