According to Merriam-Webster, the full definition of collaborate is:
1. To work jointly with others or together, especially in an intellectual endeavor
2. To cooperate with or willingly assist an enemy of one's country and especially an occupying force
3. To cooperate with an agency or instrumentality with which one is not immediately connected
I know that collaboration in healthcare can sometimes seem like assisting another country. The relationships between departments, disciplines, practices and partners have both rewards and challenges. Collaboration is key on so many levels to achieving the best outcomes and delivering the overall best care for patients. This is essential between nursing and providers in the emergency department when planning and executing care. Effective communication and collaboration plays into the safety, clinical quality and satisfaction of each patient’s visit.
Another important collaborative relationship is the emergency physician and the hospitalist. Continuity of care and the handoff of the admitted patient are essential to those same aspects of the patient’s overall experience: safety, satisfaction and clinical quality. This collaboration should happen not only when directly dealing with a patient, but also when processes, order sets or clinical pathways are being developed and reviewed. Healthcare is unique in the fact that we have governing and regulatory bodies that have standards, guidelines and measures that set basic expectations for outcomes. However, ultimately it is the provider-to-provider relationship and collaboration where the “magic happens.” Strong relationships among emergency medicine and hospital medicine teams have proven not only to meet standards but exceed them. Best practice is to have regular team meetings between these specialties to discuss opportunities and share the wins and outcomes of cases. Again, strong collaboration is a “win-win” for all – especially for the patients to which we provide care.
Click here for, "10 Lessons in Collaboration."