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Communicating with the unresponsive patient: a student review
Amanda Munger1, Yesenia Rios, Crizelle Ignowski
1California State University, San Bernardino, USA.
Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing : DCCN
|August 10, 2012
Summary
Nurses face communication barriers when caring for unconscious patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Addressing nurse attitude, technology, and environment can improve therapeutic communication and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Critical Care Medicine
- Patient Communication
Background:
- Providing care for unconscious patients in intensive care units (ICUs) presents significant challenges.
- Therapeutic nurse-patient communication is vital for quality care but can be hindered by various factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify barriers to therapeutic communication between nurses and unconscious, sedated, or ventilated patients.
- To explore strategies for overcoming these barriers to enhance patient care in the ICU.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of existing literature was conducted.
- The review focused on identifying factors impacting nurse-patient communication in critical care settings.
Main Results:
- Key barriers identified include nurse attitude, hospital technology, and the overall working environment.
- These factors impede effective therapeutic communication with non-communicative patients.
Conclusions:
- Increased nurse knowledge regarding communication strategies is beneficial.
- Overcoming identified barriers can significantly improve the quality of nursing care for unconscious patients in the ICU.
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