Promoting Patient Centered Care In Emergency Medicine: Integrating The Roles Of Pharmacy Technicians, Nursing, Laboratory, Social Workers And Health Administration

Abstract

Implementing patient-centered care is often difficult in congested emergency rooms. The emergency room presents obvious challenges to implementing patient-centered care, including no previous patient-provider relationship, overcrowding and unpredictability, lack of resources, and focus on patient volume and efficiency. Patient-centered care is positively associated with better patient outcomes, improved adherence t[1]o treatment plans, increased patient satisfaction, more cost-effective care, and fewer unnecessary visits to the emergency room. Patient-centered care in the emergency room includes aspects of communication, education, involvement of patient/family in information sharing and decision making, comfort of environment, respect and trust, emotional support, continuity, and transition of care. Integrating a multidisciplinary team of pharmacy technicians, nursing, laboratory, social workers and health administration can promote patient-centered care in emergency rooms.