Answer topic and respond to two classmates
Topic: Value of Common Terminology
What are the consequences of healthcare professionals not using common terminology, vocabularies, and classification systems? Provide examples.
Classmate Carrie
Hello Everyone,
What are the consequences of healthcare professionals not using common terminology, vocabularies, and classification systems? Provide examples.
There are several different issues that can arise if systems and communication standards are not followed. The following could happen such as wrong medication is given or improper dosages, wrong tests ordered, or treatments being given. Another issue may arise if the wrong information gets put into a patient’s chart which could result in another physician either doing the wrong treatment or doubling up on tests or medication creating a potential risk of harming our patient. An example of this could be if a patient decided to self-refer to a neurologist for headaches and their health records from their (PCP) primary care physician doesn’t state the severity or that the patient has a history of head injuries and says that the treatment is working well and improperly has tests listed that have been performed that weren’t this could lead to the Neurologist just reviewing the current findings and not performing a further evaluation. This could also go the other way if the neurologist sends the patient back to their (PCP) without stating any medication or treatments that have been modified. In the end, this could result in a severe risk to our patient’s health and safety and further breakdown of communication. I believe if we use the standards and systems that are in place we are lessening these risks.
Reference
Rutherford, M. A. (2008). Standardized Nursing Language: What Does It Mean for Nursing Practice? Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 13(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol13No01PPT05
Taryn
Medical terminologies are words or phrases pertaining to the human body and all its functions. Healthcare professionals use medical terminology to describe diseases, illnesses, and diagnoses. There are three main reasons healthcare terminology is essential. Medical terminology knowledge makes it easier for professionals to communicate easily with one another, serves as a universal language to use when diagnosing conditions and ailments in patients, and allows healthcare workers to give and follow orders to care for their patients. Following correct medical terminology improves efficiency, facilitates communication, and standardized documentation. ( ref: SCI Administrator 05/19/20 8:30 AM https://scitexas.edu/blog/medical-terminology-is-important, ¶ 1, 2, 5)
Errors that could arise with incorrect medical terminology include billing errors, medication errors, as well as errors in the treatment patient receives. Just to name a few. While a billing error may be able to be corrected, not all misdiagnoses and medication errors can. Misdiagnoses lead to the wrong care being provided could delay needed care or prevent care from being successful. Medication errors could cause medications to interact with current medications, body functions, or even cause an anaphylactic allergic reaction. These errors could cause harm or even death to a patient. In your facility professionals should be trained in medical terminology used and even a posted list at the station on common terms and uses.