Smiling African doctor working with patient in his office

How to Build Strong Patient Relationships as a Nurse

Practical NurseLeave a comment

As a nurse, building strong patient relationships is crucial to providing quality care and improving patient outcomes. Patients who feel comfortable with their healthcare providers are more likely to adhere to treatment plans, share important information about their health and have better overall experiences. Developing these relationships takes time and isn’t necessarily a skill that can be taught in a classroom. The good news is you can get into the mindset of relationship building with patients while you’re still pursuing your degree. This can set you apart from other new nurses and help you establish yourself as a compassionate and trustworthy healthcare provider. Active listening involves giving your full and undivided attention to what the patient is saying, not interrupting and responding in a way that shows you understand and empathize with their concerns. By actively listening, you can gain a better understanding of your patient’s needs, fears and goals, which can help you provide more individualized care. Active listening also helps establish trust and rapport between you and your patients. When patients feel heard and understood, they are more likely to feel comfortable and open up to you, which can lead to a better overall patient experience. Reducing jargon when interacting with patients is crucial for effective communication and building trust. As a nurse, it’s essential to remember that patients may not have the same medical background or knowledge as healthcare professionals. Using complex medical terminology or jargon can confuse patients, create barriers to understanding and even cause unnecessary anxiety. By being proactive, you can anticipate your patient’s needs, identify potential issues before they arise and take steps to prevent them from becoming major problems. Not only is this beneficial for the patient’s recovery and wellbeing but it can help build trust and confidence in you as their nurse. Proactivity can take many forms in nursing. You can display proactivity by regularly checking on your patients, providing education and resources and advocating for their needs. For example, you can check on a patient’s pain level without being prompted to do so and provide pain medication before the pain becomes severe enough for the patient to complain. You can also anticipate the patient’s needs by ensuring they have enough supplies, such as food, water and medication, and communicating effectively with other healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care. If you’re interested in becoming a stellar nurse who not only excels at patient care but also knows how to foster strong nurse-patient relationships, then the St. Louis College of Health Careers is the perfect place for you. Our accredited program offer comprehensive training that teaches not just the technical skills, but also helps hone the interpersonal skills that are necessary for building strong relationships with patients. With experienced faculty and a supportive community, you’ll be able to learn from the best and develop the skills you need to excel in your career as a nurse. To or learn more about the program, visit us online or call 866-529-2070.

HIPAA in a book

The Importance of HIPAA for Medical Office Administrators

Medical Office Administrator CareerLeave a comment

Medical office administrators hold front-desk responsibilities like medical record keeping, insurance billing and appointment scheduling. However, their duties don’t end there. One of the more significant responsibilities a medical office administrator is tasked with is ensuring HIPAA compliance. Medical administrators must ensure that their practice complies with all aspects of HIPAA regulations, including training staff on proper handling of patient information, implementing security measures to safeguard electronic patient records and maintaining the confidentiality of patient health information. Failure to comply with HIPAA regulations can result in significant fines and penalties, as well as damage the practice’s reputation. Since a medical office administrator’s essential duty is to keep the medical office running, it’s likely you’ll be the unofficial (or perhaps official) HIPAA officer and ensure all staff members understand and comply with HIPAA regulations. If you’re thinking about becoming a medical office administrator, you’ll need to learn HIPAA laws before you’re ready to implement them in your day-to-day work. HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. It’s a federal law that sets national standards to protect the privacy, security and confidentiality of patients’ medical information. The law was enacted to provide patients with greater control over their health information while also ensuring the privacy and security of that information. HIPAA applies to all healthcare providers, including medical offices, hospitals, clinics and insurance companies. It also applies to anyone who handles patient information, including medical office administrators. The law outlines strict guidelines for the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI), including patient names, addresses, Social Security numbers, diagnostic results and treatments. If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a Medical Office Administrator, consider enrolling in the program offered by St. Louis College of Health Careers. Our comprehensive program will prepare you with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the field, including training on HIPAA compliance. To learn more or to St. Louis College of Health Careers, call 866-529-2070.