Role of the nurse in the MDT

[Chixie]

Ive got an assignment on 'an aspect of the professional role of the nurse' in relation to one patient and ive chosen the role of the nurse in the MDT (multi disciplinary team) Can someone help me with this please. Ive got the following and im wondering if ive left anything out

1. Assessment of the patient-neurological, swallowing, bowel and bladder function, skin care
   
2. Detect possible adverse effects of medication and care
   
3. Support daily physiological needs/self care
   
4. Prevent complications of impairment
   
5. Encourage independance
   
6. Liase with family
   
7. Liase with other members of the MDT
   
8. Reinforce techniques learnt from other members of the MDT ie physio

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

when i went to multi-disciplinary care meetings as the representative for the nursing department, i went as the patient advocate. i needed to know the plan of care, the patient's meds and treatments and doctor's orders as they related to nursing. these meetings are a chance for the various departments to discuss concerns that impact other departments involved in the patient's care. an example would be occupational therapy concerned about the patient learning to use knives and forks to eat, but eating is something usually managed by nursing and when the food tray comes is done by the dietary department. at these meetings, a specific plan for a specific patient can be worked out between the three departments at one sitting. feedback (evaluation) can also be given to department representatives as to how other previously decided upon interventions are working out. this is part of the nurse's case management role. you are still following the nursing process only instead of thinking in smaller terms (the nursing team) you are encompassing a much broader community (collaborative professional team). for this reason you need to know what is going on with the patient so you can speak intelligently at these meetings.

so, everything you've listed on your list is correct. as i said, you need to know the plan of care and be able to provide a report of how the plan of care is proceeding.