TRMC Centralized Annual Update Module Patient Population Section 6

1. TRMC Centralized Annual Update Module Patient Population Section 6

2. Section 6 Includes: • Patient Population • Cultural Diversity • Growth and Development

3. Patient Population Key Points: • Tulare Regional Medical Center identifies safety risks inherent in it’s patient population (side rails up, warm and dry, etc). • Growth and development follow general patterns (infants, children, adults, elderly) • Not every member of a cultural/ethnic group may share all of its values, beliefs, or practices. • A patient may appear similar, but still be different.

4. Growth and Development Key Points: • Infants: When dealing with infants it is important to introduce yourself to the caregiver and explain procedures. • Remove small objects that may be a chocking hazard. • Infant’s have stranger anxiety. • Allow for a familiar care giver to be present. • Allow a favorite toy or blanket for comfort.

5. Growth and Development Key Points: • Children: Talk to the child in simple language. • As a child is old enough to understand, include them in the procedure discussion. • Talk to directly to the child. • Allow them to explore and touch equipment (within safety guidelines). • Allow time for questions. • Allow a favorite toy or blanket for comfort

6. Growth and Development • Key Points: • Adults and Elderly: Introduce yourself. • Call patient by title and last name unless patient asks to be called by another name. • Do not address them as “honey” or “sweetie” etc. • Allow time for questions. • Be respectful. • Determine if patient has special needs i.e.: glasses, hearing aid, cane or walker, etc. • Maintain adult privileges with decision making.

7. Cultural Diversity • Key Points: • Culture may affect how, or whether a patient expresses pain. • A patient may see an illness as having a supernatural cause, such as punishment for sins. • Cultural views may require certain traditional cures, such as an herbal remedy. • Religious, healing and other cultural factors may affect what foods a patient may eat or avoid. • A patient’s religion may affect his/her consent to treatment or how he/she view birth and death practices.

8. Cultural Diversity • Developing cultural competencies doesn’t mean you will know everything about every culture you work with, it does mean being aware and respectful of cultural factors.

9. Take the Time to Consider and Learn • How a patient prefers to be addressed. • Understand relationships. • Consider privacy needs. • Learn the patient’s views about health. “Work with the patient and others to find the best approach of his or her care”

10. Please look on the TRMC Intranet site and the Education tab for links to Cultural Diversity sites available to all hospital employees as a resource.

11. Thank you for Viewing Section 6 You may now return to take the Section 6 test. Good luck!