Case Study: Miscommunication
Mr. Salib is a 35-year-old man who comes to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. He is diagnosed with an incarcerated abdominal hernia that requires surgery. The doctor orders the patient to fast overnight to be ready for surgery in the morning. Mr. Salib is kept in a double room and put on the schedule for surgery next morning. In the morning, the food service worker working the floor fails to confirm the identity of Mr. Salib and gives him his roommate’s food tray. The registered nurse sees the tray being delivered to Mr. Salib and asks the food service worker to make sure he is giving the food to the right patient. The food service worker compares the names of the patients on their wristbands with his delivery list and confirms that Mr. Salib is not the patient in the room who should get the food tray.
Discussion Questions
- Identify the members of the team mentioned in this case study and state, in terms of interprofessional communication, what each of them could have done to prevent this problem.
- Which specific Sub-competencies in the Core Competency of Teams and Teamwork apply to this case study, either because they were or were not demonstrated?
- Which specific Sub-competencies in the Core Competency of Roles/Responsibilities apply to this case study, either because they were or were not demonstrated?
- Propose a policy that may prevent this problem in the future.
Case Study: Miscommunication
Mr. Salib is a 35-year-old man who comes to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. He is diagnosed with an incarcerated abdominal hernia that requires surgery. The doctor orders the patient to fast overnight to be ready for surgery in the morning. Mr. Salib is kept in a double room and put on the schedule for surgery next morning. In the morning, the food service worker working the floor fails to confirm the identity of Mr. Salib and gives him his roommate’s food tray. The registered nurse sees the tray being delivered to Mr. Salib and asks the food service worker to make sure he is giving the food to the right patient. The food service worker compares the names of the patients on their wristbands with his delivery list and confirms that Mr. Salib is not the patient in the room who should get the food tray.
Discussion Questions
- Identify the members of the team mentioned in this case study and state, in terms of interprofessional communication, what each of them could have done to prevent this problem.
- Which specific Sub-competencies in the Core Competency of Teams and Teamwork apply to this case study, either because they were or were not demonstrated?
- Which specific Sub-competencies in the Core Competency of Roles/Responsibilities apply to this case study, either because they were or were not demonstrated?
- Propose a policy that may prevent this problem in the future.