Honoring Patients as People

When I first started as a nurse in the OR, I had the opportunity to practice at a pediatric facility. It was very easy to remember that compassion and patient advocacy are prime drivers for the perioperative nurse when working with vulnerable populations. Children are naturally curious, magical thinkers that want to know what is going on around them. We found fun ways to introduce them to medical equipment, explain each step of the process to check them in, provide distractions when needed, and prepare them for the induction of anesthesia. In this space, I found one of my “whys” as a perioperative nurse. I am intentional about bringing compassion to my care, so that patients can feel at ease in an unfamiliar environment. As I transitioned to work in adult practice settings, the things that I learned as a pediatric nurse transferred with me and helped me focus on seeing the patient as a person.

Tips

While we become accustomed to the bright lights, noise, people, and the hustle of the perioperative department, our patients come with a different perspective. Our patients arrive when they are not feeling well, in an unfamiliar environment. I imagine they have anxiety about what may happen and how much control they may have in the process. One way I teach new perioperative nurses to honor our patients as people is by asking an icebreaker question; for example, asking about a hobby during the patient interview is a great way to learn something about the patient that you can use to connect with them and distract them before the administration of anesthesia in the OR. Another way I believe we can bring compassion to our care is by narrating the care that we are providing, so the patient understands who is behind the masks and what their roles are. This also builds trust in our relationship with the patient and sets them at ease before the induction of anesthesia. Some other tips are found in Sidebar 1. The book See Me as a Person: Creating Therapeutic Relationships with Patients and Their Families (by Mary Koloroutis) also can provide some helpful insights.

Sidebar 1. Tips for Honoring Patients as People

• Ask the patient their pronouns and chosen names
• Always refer to the patient by their chosen name and not a diagnosis, surgery, or room number
• Position yourself at the same level as the patient (for example, sit in a chair when they are in a bed, so you do not appear to be standing over/above them)
• Ask a question about their hobbies and interests to identify future conversation topics
• Use active listening skills to demonstrate care and concern
• Respect their privacy by knocking on the door and announcing your presence before going behind curtains when in the preoperative area
• Ask for preferences when it is possible to honor them
• Speak directly to the patient and include their loved ones (when present) in conversations
• Validate any concerns through therapeutic communication
  • Therapeutic communication involves techniques that acknowledge the patient’s experience by verbally communicating an understanding and respect for the patient’s perspective. The nurse may verbally state, “I understand what you are saying”; ask clarifying questions; hold space for the patient to reflect on their feelings; or provide additional education that helps the patient better understand the situation.

AORN Resources

• Patient Fear: 3 Strategies to Help - AORN Article

AORN members can access:

• Open communication and empathy during perioperative stage can ease patient anxiety - AORN Journal
• Improving communication throughout care to increase patient satisfaction - AORN Journal