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18 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | NWADG.COM/YOUATYOURBEST MAY - BEST NURSES | SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017 Teamwork in Nursing is Key When nurses function as part of a team, overall patient care is enhanced. When nurses function as part of a team, the job itself is easier and more effi - cient. Every member works together to meet their patients needs. Improved pa- tient outcomes is a common goal. Nurs- es, physicians, home health workers, as well as DME companies all can work together for this common goal. The relationship between the nurse or therapist and physicians is es- sential. The physician orders necessary intervention, and the nurse or thera- pist is responsible for carrying it out. Effective communication is crucial. Any changes in patient status should be shared between team members. For nurses and other care providers the fo- cus is on coordination of care. A nurse uses clinical judgment to discern what is best for the patient, and determine the best course of action for the patient. The nurse is also respon- sible for continuity from the moment a patient enters the hospital setting to the time they are discharged home and beyond. This may even include over- seeing home care instructions. As a teacher, the nurse may give instructions about what the patient needs to do to care for themselves at home. The nurse and therapist work to- gether in the hospital setting to deter- mine if the patient will need durable medical equipment in their home upon discharge from the hospital. The home healthcare nurse is constantly evaluat- ing their patients to see if they need any safety equipment in their homes. These can be things such as walkers, wheel- chairs or hospital beds. They work with a physician to get these things ordered from the durable medical equipment provider. The nurse and respiratory thera- pist work together in the hospital set- ting to evaluate the patient's needs for oxygen, home nebulizers, and cpap and bipap machines. This need is commu- nicated to the physician who then will write an order for these items. The nurse or case manager then works closely with the durable medical equipment provider to get the necessary items for the patient's home upon discharge. The durable medical equipment company then works closely with the patient to teach them how to use the equipment in their home. It is clear that when patients are managed by a multidisciplinary team that proactively oversees patient care, an overall improved outcome can be reached. Since 1994, Northwest Arkan- sas physicians, insurance companies, and families have trusted Homefront Air and Medical Supplies for in-home oxygen delivery, medical supplies, and equipment. They are located at 3024 Market Ave. in Fayetteville. Visit their website at homefrontairandmedical. com, contact by phone at (479) 444- 0259 or email hfams3024@gmail.com. Mike Oglesby, a social worker and case manager at Washington Region- al Medical Center, recently received the 2017 Martha Sue Curren Award for Excellence in Social Work pre- sented by the Northwest Arkansas Medical Social Workers Associa- tion. This award recognizes the ac- complishments of a social worker who has had a positive impact on the community, place of employ- ment and fellow social workers. The award's namesake, Martha Sue Cur- ren, was an outstanding professional in the human services fi eld in North- west Arkansas. Oglesby, who has worked at Washington Regional for 10 years, earned a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Arkan- sas. A licensed social worker, he also achieved certifi cation by the Case Management Society of America. About Washington Regional: Washington Regional is here for you, for life, with a comprehen- sive healthcare network that includes the only not-for-profi t, communi- ty-owned and locally governed med- ical center in Northwest Arkansas. Washington Regional is committed to improving the health of people in communities we serve through compassionate, high-quality care, prevention and wellness education. Visit wregional.com for more infor- mation. Mike Oglesby Receives Social Work Award SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE