Hailey Tran
While doctors and nurses are the most well-known members of a hospital's healthcare team, there are many other essential roles that contribute to the functioning of a hospital. Nurses are often referred to as the backbone of healthcare systems due to their crucial role in direct patient care and their presence with patients 24/7 in hospitals. Laboratory specialists, including phlebotomists, clinical analysts, lab technicians, lab assistants, and clinical lab scientists, are also vital behind-the-scenes members of a hospital's healthcare team, as approximately 70% of a patient's chart is related to lab work. Additionally, adequate and reliable infrastructure, technologies, and supplies form the backbone of a hospital by supporting its daily functioning and enabling it to maintain services during emergencies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Laboratory specialists | Phlebotomists, clinical analysts, lab technicians, lab assistants, and clinical lab scientists |
| Nurses | Largest group of health professionals, responsible for direct patient care, patient advocacy, and trust-building |
| Infrastructure, technologies, and supplies | Well-planned spaces, water and energy, telecommunications, medical technologies, and ICT technologies |
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What You'll Learn
Nurses are the backbone of healthcare systems
While hospitals are comprised of many different healthcare professionals, nurses are considered the backbone of healthcare systems. Nurses are the largest group of health professionals globally, and they work tirelessly to provide direct patient care across diverse settings. Their presence is consistent in every area of healthcare, from the bedside to leadership positions.
Nurses play a crucial role in advocating for their patients and building trust with them. They are often the ones at the patient's bedside, responsible for gathering honest and complete information about their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. This information is vital for accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans. Furthermore, nurses are involved in comprehensive patient assessments, monitoring vital signs and health status, administering medications, educating patients and their families, and collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the essential role of nurses in maintaining the resilience of healthcare systems worldwide. Their dedication and expertise were instrumental in responding to the crisis and providing care for patients with acute and complex conditions. During this challenging period, nurses' contributions were invaluable, and their ability to adapt and rise to the occasion demonstrated their commitment to their profession and the well-being of their patients.
In addition to their clinical responsibilities, nurses are also integral to supporting their communities. As Professor Caryn West notes, nurses and midwives will play a pivotal role in rebuilding communities and supporting the people within them in the aftermath of the pandemic. Their presence extends beyond the hospital walls, as they provide care and assistance where it is needed most.
Nurses are the foundation of effective healthcare delivery, and their impact extends far beyond the hospital setting. Their expertise, dedication, and compassion make them indispensable to the healthcare system and the well-being of society as a whole.
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Laboratory staff are vital for patient care
Laboratory staff are essential for patient care, despite often working behind the scenes. They are responsible for conducting tests that provide crucial information for detecting, diagnosing, treating, and monitoring diseases. Laboratory professionals use specialised instrumentation and techniques to analyse patient samples, including blood, urine, body fluids, tissue, and stool. They play a vital role in a patient's healthcare journey, from blood work that aids in diagnosis to running tests to monitor medication.
The laboratory team includes phlebotomists, clinical analysts, lab technicians, lab assistants, and clinical lab scientists (CLS). They collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to ensure informed decision-making in patient care. Laboratory professionals explain the advantages and limitations of specific tests, provide guidance in interpreting test results, and develop evidence-based practice guidelines. Their work directly impacts inpatient length of stay, patient safety, resource utilisation, innovation in care, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, patient outcomes.
Laboratory stewardship has emerged as a strategy to ensure quality in laboratory medicine, aiming to provide the right test for the right patient at the right time. It provides a systematic approach to data analysis and positions laboratory professionals as healthcare leaders committed to appropriate, equitable, and efficient care. Laboratory professionals have access to data that can identify gaps in care, especially during pandemics, where different patient characteristics result in varying risk levels for disease severity.
The work of laboratory staff is integral to the healthcare system, contributing to effective patient care, improving health outcomes, and enhancing public health. Their expertise and dedication ensure accurate and timely results, playing a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, even if they may never meet the patients face-to-face.
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Hospitals are essential for Universal Health Coverage
Hospitals are an essential part of universal health coverage (UHC). UHC is about ensuring that everyone has access to quality health care when and where they need it, without suffering financial hardship. It covers the full continuum of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.
Hospitals play a crucial role in providing these essential health services. They are equipped with the necessary infrastructure, technology, and personnel to deliver a wide range of medical services to the community they serve. This includes emergency care, surgical procedures, intensive care, diagnostic services, and specialized treatments.
The hospital laboratory, often referred to as the "backbone" of the hospital, is vital to patient care. Laboratory specialists, including phlebotomists, clinical analysts, and lab technicians, work behind the scenes to perform essential tasks such as blood work, medical tests, and medication monitoring, which are crucial for diagnosing and treating patients.
Nurses are also considered the "backbone" of patient care in hospitals. They are often the ones building trust and spending the most time at the patient's bedside, advocating for their patients, and providing compassionate care.
To achieve UHC, countries need strong, efficient, and equitable health systems rooted in the communities they serve. This includes investing in primary health care (PHC), which is the most inclusive, equitable, and cost-effective approach to enhancing people's physical and mental health, as well as their social well-being. PHC enables universal access to health services close to people's everyday environments, ensuring that everyone can benefit from the essential services that hospitals provide.
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Hospitals are a central point in people's lives
Hospitals are often the focal point for healthcare in a community. They are trusted sources of care that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. Effective hospitals strive to reflect the needs and values of their communities, offering tailored benefits, activities, services, and programs to meet diverse health requirements. They work in collaboration with community partners to address issues such as food insecurity, affordable housing, transportation, and behavioral health.
Additionally, hospitals are centres of education and research. They provide training for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, ensuring a skilled workforce to meet the community's needs. Hospitals also serve as bases for clinical and medical research, driving innovation and advancements in medicine and healthcare. The laboratory staff, including phlebotomists, clinical analysts, lab technicians, and lab assistants, play a crucial behind-the-scenes role in patient care, with their work contributing to approximately 70% of a patient's chart.
Furthermore, hospitals contribute significantly to the local economy. They employ a large number of individuals, ranging from medical professionals to administrative staff, and support staff. Hospitals also help individuals enroll in health insurance coverage and provide financial assistance to patients in need. The impact of hospitals extends beyond their four walls, as they seek new ways to support care outside the hospital setting, ensuring that people can access care closer to their homes and within their communities.
The role of nurses in hospitals cannot be overstated. Nurses are often the person a patient trusts and confides in, advocating for their patients to other providers. They are the backbone of patient care, providing essential services at the bedside and practicing compassion in their daily work. Nurses work tirelessly to build trust with their patients, ensuring they receive honest and complete information about their well-being. However, the nursing profession faces challenges, with many nurses experiencing burnout, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic.
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Nurses provide direct patient care across diverse settings
Nurses are the backbone of patient care, providing direct patient care across diverse settings. They are often the first point of contact for patients, offering clinical expertise, emotional support, education, and compassion. Nurses work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), retail clinics, home health and home visiting, telehealth, school nursing, and school-based health centers, as well as nurse-managed health centers. They are also present in community health centers, state prisons, and summer camps.
Nurses have a unique position in healthcare due to their direct and sustained interaction with patients. They are responsible for advocating for their patients and building trust with them to receive honest and complete information about their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Nurses assess patients on a deep physiological, economic, social, and lifestyle basis and use their judgment to integrate objective data with the subjective experience of a patient's biological, physical, and behavioral needs. This ensures that every patient receives the best possible care, regardless of who they are or where they are.
Nurses play a vital role in promoting diversity and inclusion in healthcare. They serve as patient advocates, voicing concerns about disparities in care and championing policies that promote equity. Nurses can educate themselves and their colleagues about cultural competence, ensuring that healthcare practices are inclusive and respectful. They adapt their care approach to meet the specific needs of each patient, whether they are a pediatric patient, an elderly individual with chronic conditions, a pregnant mother, or someone from a different cultural background.
Nurses are also key to improving the quality of healthcare. They help people navigate the complex healthcare system, providing close monitoring and follow-up, and focusing care on the whole person. Nurses facilitate access to health services for individuals and families, often serving as a bridge to social services. They provide person-centered care, which has been shown to improve quality of life and reduce symptoms of agitation, neuropsychiatric disorders, and depression.
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Frequently asked questions
While there are many important roles in a hospital, nurses are often referred to as the backbone of healthcare systems. They are the most common health professionals globally and are with patients 24/7 in hospitals, providing direct care and patient assessment, monitoring vital signs, administering medications and treatments, and educating patients and families.
Nurses have a wide range of responsibilities, including monitoring vital signs and health status, administering medications and treatments, educating patients and their families, and collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
One of the main challenges nurses face is burnout, with a recent survey finding that 30% of nurses are likely to leave their careers due to the issue. Building trust with patients and advocating for their needs to other providers are also important but difficult tasks for nurses.
