I really liked this article because it focused on crisis resource management in Emergency Medicine. Seven perceived barriers to effective team performance in the ED were listed with the number one barrier being communication between disciplines. Further, of 81 (nurses, physicians, and residents) 100% felt that effective communication and effective leadership were very important team management skills that could effect the outcome of a resuscitation. Additionally, the number one contributing factor to adverse resuscitation outcomes was poor communication (96.2% out of 79 participants). Though other barriers and contributing factors to adverse outcomes were identified, communication was reported as the most contributory.
Coming from an emergency room myself, I totally love the aspect of interdisciplinary collaboration. In resuscitation you are working with the physician, the nurses, the techs, pharmacy, the lab, the radiology department--and following a successful resuscitation, you are collaborating with the intensivist/pulmonolgist, cardiologist, and potentially other specialists, as well as the ICU staff members. The patient is relying on effective communication and collaboration to obtain the best outcome possible. And this communication and collaboration is not the sole responsibility of the provider, but EVERYONE on the team!
This article examines the documented positive impact of full practice legislation on patient outcomes. Potentially avoidable hospitalizations, readmission rates after inpatient rehabilitation, and nursing home resident hospitalizations were explored. States with full practice of nurse practitioners have lower hospitalization rates in all examined groups and improved health outcomes in their communities.