Patients and family members at Brunswick Novant Medical Center in Supply now have the opportunity to participate in the daily report conversation between nurses and other healthcare providers, said hospital spokeswoman Amy Myers. The traditional report conversation that took place in a secluded conference room or other private areas away from the patient is being retired, said Denise Mihal, president of Brunswick Novant Medical Center.

“Brunswick Novant Medical Center and other hospitals in the Novant Health system have begun to emulate what only a handful of other hospitals around the country have adopted: to begin inviting the patient, as well as any family members or friends that the patient wishes to include, to participate in a new communication model called nurse bedside reporting,” Mihal said in the release.  

Nurse bedside reporting provides a safe method to hand-off care of the patient to new staff, Myers said. Reporting can take place when a patient is transferred to another unit or during a change of staff, since patients’ nurses change during the course of a 24-hour period, she said.

The new nurse and the current nurse, and sometimes other members of the healthcare team conduct the report in the presence of the patient and they invite the individual to join them in the conversation, Myers said.

“Most patients don’t have any medical training, but what every patient does have, though, is an intimate knowledge of his or her own body and medical history,” Mihal said. “Combine that knowledge with the desire today’s patients have for information about their care and treatment, and we have a tremendous opportunity for improving healthcare communication in hospitals.”

Topics during nurse bedside reporting can include a review of patient allergies or medications, discussion of the tests or procedures that are scheduled for the day, concern about a patient’s unstable blood sugar or high temperature. Anything that impacts the care and safety of the patient can be part of the bedside report.

Heart Center specialists to hold seminar

Experts from New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s heart center will offer a free seminar about individual risk for heart disease and stroke on Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Brunswick Forest Fitness and Wellness Center, 2701 Brunswick Forest Parkway in Leland. For more info and to register, visit www.nhrmc.org/LiveAndLearn.

OB/GYN joins Wilmington Health Leland office

Dr. Rachel McLean began seeing patients Jan. 10 at Wilmington Health in Brunswick Forest, 1333 South Dickinson Drive in Leland. She is the first obstetrician/gynecologist at the Brunswick Forest location.

As an OB/GYN, McLean provides care and advice for women from puberty through adulthood, Wilmington Health officials said. In addition to providing physical exams, breast exams and pap smears, Dr. McLean will help patients with family planning decisions and birth options. She will care for patients during pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. She is currently accepting new patients. To make an appointment, call Wilmington Health OB/GYN at (910) 343-1031.