As an LPN working in a psychiatric hospital, I am aware of a variety of trends which currently persist in my professional setting. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent inability to see their doctors caused thousands of people to relapse, engage in substance abuse, and behave aggressively, which ultimately made them enter hospitals (Wang et al., 2020). Thus, a surge in the number of patients who experienced worsening of symptoms due to the pandemic is one of the main trends in my clinical setting. Additionally, currently, there is a growing trend of shortages of mental health professionals, which affect numerous hospitals, including mine, which causes nurses to work extra shifts.
Complex patient needs entail a necessity to conduct an early assessment of the patient’s condition to ensure both efficient and effective use of supplies. A mental health status examination which involves analyzing clients’ appearance, behavior, thinking, perception, judgment, and other aspects, constitutes the primary means of determining the correct diagnosis and course of treatment (Gorman & Anwar, 2018). Moreover, asking the patient’s relatives and friends to provide information on the previous therapies and treatments which the person underwent can also help specialists decrease costs. Essentially, in a situation involving complex patient needs, the team of specialists has to quickly assess all available information and make an optimal decision concerning the use of supplies and cost management.
Cost accounting is an essential element of the hospital in which I work; therefore, every employee is informed about the costs associated with various types of supplies and treatments. The management maintains a list of all medications and procedures offered by the hospital and keeps it updated. As a result, every person knows the exact cost associated with each type of treatment and can pass this information to clients.
References
Gorman, L., & Anwar, R. (2018). Neeb’s mental health nursing. F.A. Davis.
Wang, G., Wang, L., Liu, X., Ning, Y., & Hao, W. (2020). The challenge and response of mental health institutions in COVID-19 pandemic: From chaos to new normal. Translational Psychiatry, 10, 1–3. Web.