Nursing and Radiography Student Collaboration: Increasing Patient Satisfaction on a Dedicated Education Unit

A small midwestern health professions university utilizes seven Dedicated Education Units as part of the nursing curriculum. Patient satisfaction rates on two Dedicated Education Units (DEU) have been low related to explanation of diagnostics and procedures at an acute care hospital. The hospital Director of Nursing, Clinical Faculty of the School of Radiography (SOR) and College of Nursing (CON), and the charge nurses of the units created a program where radiography technologists and nurses have joint responsibility to inform patients. Students in both disciplines are empowered to provide education for patients and families.

The evidence on the impact of interdisciplinary collaboration on patient outcomes is growing. Ma, Park and Shang (2018) found that nurse-physician collaboration improved patient safety outcomes. They suggested that improving collaboration among disciplines is an important part of promoting best patient outcomes. While the evidence of the impact on nursing students is well known (Nishioka, Coe, Hanita & Moscato, 2014) the evidence on the impact of care in a DEU on patient outcomes is not as well known. Combining the two concepts to one program has potential to lead to best outcomes. In addition, the experience of shadowing other disciplines has demonstrated improved understanding of other roles and confidence in communicating across the team (von der Lancken & Gunn, 2018). This understanding and confidence can lead to greater healthcare outcomes with our future healthcare professionals.

The process created to increase patient satisfaction on explanation of procedures began with the School of Radiography (SOR). The clinical faculty and students created procedure information sheets to be utilized by students and staff to educate patients on high volume diagnostics of the unit. The SOR conducts educational sessions with CON students and staff at the DEU to educate on the information sheets and process each term. The goal is to reinforce teaching pre, during and post procedure. Each patient who has a diagnostic procedure during DEU hours receives teaching from the students and staff. The Director of Nursing tracks monthly patient satisfaction scores to observe trends and improvement opportunities.

To further enhance understanding across the departments each student had a one rotation in the other’s discipline. Student specific outcomes include increased knowledge of the role of the nurse/radiography technologist in diagnostics, demonstration of increased competency in patient education and increased empathy for the patient experience. In addition, the students experience an evidence based practice initiative to improve unit specific metrics.

The unit won an internal award for most improved scores in the quarter following the intervention. Students reported greater understanding and increased collaboration. The project is ongoing.