The way to patient-centered care

• Published in: Nursing management Vol. 41; no. 10; pp. 10 - 12
• Main Author: Williams, Barbara J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc 01-10-2010; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Evidence-based nursing; Humans; Models, Organizational; Nurse Administrators; Nurse's Role; Nurses; Nursing; Patient safety; Patient-centered care; Patient-Centered Care - organization & administration; Quality of care; United States > US
• ISSN: 0744-6314; 1538-8670
• DOI: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000388298.85222.67

Institutions across the US have implemented patient-centered models since the recommendations put forth by organizations such as the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to adopt a philosophy of patient-centered care. This has had the positive result of focusing attention on quality and patient safety strategies, as well as the inclusion of patient and family perspectives into patient care and organizational decision making. But experts note that little attention was given to patient-centered nursing in the IOM and AHRQ reports. In order for care processes to be directed toward reducing vulnerabilities, the nurse must know the patient and adapt the plan of care to include the patient's particular life circumstances, perspectives, beliefs, and values. Given the current evidence, it's important that nurse managers set the expectation that nurses engage patients in trusting relationships and deliver attentive and individualized care that builds trust, respects choices, and enhances a sense of well-being so that patients feel less vulnerable.