Real-Life Communication
Dialysis technicians are important links in the chain of treatment
for patients with kidney disease, a chain that also includes medical doctors
who specialize in kidney ailments and registered nurses who oversee treatment.
No single person in the chain is more important than any other in delivering
the appropriate care.
But as in any business, the chain can malfunction
without the proper flow of information in both directions. Doctors must give
clear prescriptions for dialysis, and nurses must inform patients of their
duties effectively and schedule treatments in advance. And technicians must
follow instructions to the letter.
But dialysis technicians also have
an important role as the eyes and ears of doctors and nurses. Because they
have almost daily contact with patients, their input is sought after by medical
professionals. Delivering that input in a clear, concise and accurate manner
is essential for success in the field.
You are a dialysis technician
sitting down to write a report on your latest patient, a 74-year-old man in
the late stages of kidney disease. The patient is awaiting a transplant and
is high on the list. But in order to be eligible for the transplant, he must
be in top physical condition.
Because of this situation, you prepare
a report on him each time he comes in for his treatments. Your report covers
four areas:
The patient's vital statistics
Weight: 150 pounds (He
is usually 160 pounds.)
Blood pressure: 140 / 110 (about normal)
Pulse:
42 (a little slower than usual)
The patient's overall appearance
Today, you noticed he
seemed a little more frail and gaunt than usual and that he walked with a
slightly slower step.
The patient's mood
Today, he seemed a little less talkative
and gregarious than usual. He didn't even share one of his trademark jokes
during the treatment. During your talk, he reveals that he is beginning to
worry a transplant will not come in time.
Your overall impressions of the patient's health
Since
it is read by a team of doctors and nurses who are pressed for time, you try
to keep your memo to a single paragraph of 200 words or less.