Patient Care Pathway

The standards for the Patient Care pathway apply to occupations or functions involved in the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professions. The standards specify the knowledge and skills needed by professional and technical personnel pursuing careers in this pathway.

 

B1.0 Recognize the integrated systems approach to health care delivery services: prevention, diagnosis, pathology, and treatment

B1.1 Know relationship and use of an integrated health care delivery system.

B1.2 Understand the range between prevention, diagnosis, pathology, and treatment procedures. B1.3 Understand the significance of nontraditional approaches to health care in relationship to delivery systems.

B1.4 Illustrate the value of preventive and early intervention in relationship to health care practices.

B1.5 Describe the importance of reimbursement systems in relationship to the delivery of patient care.

 

B2.0 Understand the basic structure and function of the human body and relate normal function to common disorders.

B2.1 Know basic human body structure and function in relationship to specific care between prevention, diagnosis, pathology, and treatment.

B2.2 Describe basic stages of growth and development.

B2.3 Recognize common disease and disorders of the human body.

B2.4 Compare normal function of the human body to the diagnosis and treatment of disease and disorders.

 

B3.0 Know how to apply mathematical computations used in health care delivery system.

B3.1 Apply mathematical computations related to health care procedures (metric and household, conversions and measurements).

B3.2 Analyze diagrams, charts, graphs, and tables to interpret health care results.

B3.3 Record time using the 24-hour clock.

 

B4.0 Recognize and practice components of an intake assessment relevant to patient care.

B4.1 Conduct basic interview to acquire new knowledge (e.g., medical and family histories).

B4.2 Identify and summarize major life events as they impact health care practices and patient outcomes.

B4.3 Observe patient actions, interests, and behaviors while documenting responses.

B4.4 Collect and synthesize information or data about the patient’s symptoms and vital signs.

B4.5 Evaluate information gathered and connect patient data to appropriate system of care.

 

B5.0 Know the definition, spelling, pronunciation, and use of appropriate terminology in the health care setting.

B5.1 Use medical terminology in patient care appropriate to communicate information and observations.

B5.2 Accurately spell and define occupationally specific terms related to health care.

B5.3 Use roots, prefixes, and suffixes to communicate information.

B5.4 Use medical abbreviations to communicate information.

B5.5 Know the basic structure of medical terms.

B5.6 Demonstrate the correct pronunciation of medical terms.

B5.7 Practice word building medical terminology skills.

 

B6.0 Communicate procedures and goals to patients using various communication strategies to respond to questions and concerns.

B6.1 Observe and document the ability of patients to comprehend and understand procedures and determine how to adjust communication techniques.

B6.2 Use active listening skills (e.g., reflection, restatement, and clarification) and communication techniques to gather information from the patient.

B6.3 Formulate appropriate responses to address the patients concerns and questions in a positive manner.

B6.4 Employ sensitivity and withhold bias when communicating with patients.

B6.5 Report patient’s progress and response to treatment goals.

B6.6 Maintain written guidelines of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in all communications.

 

B7.0 Apply observation techniques to detect changes in the health status of patients.

B7.1 Demonstrate observation techniques.

B7.2 Differentiate between normal and abnormal patient health status.

B7.3 Document the patient findings and report information appropriately.

B7.4 Plan basic care procedures within the scope of practice to assist with patient comfort.

 

B8.0 Demonstrate the principles of body mechanics as they apply to the positioning, transferring, and transporting of patients.

B8.1 Explain the principles of body mechanics.

B8.2 Determine appropriate equipment for transportation and transfer, including the modification of equipment and techniques to accommodate the health status of the patient.

B8.3 Demonstrate appropriate transport and transfer methods to accommodate the health status of the patient.

B8.4 Evaluate equipment for possible hazards.

B8.5 Integrate proper body mechanics, ergonomics, safety equipment, and techniques to prevent personal injury to patients and clients.

 

B9.0 Implement wellness strategies for the prevention of injury and disease.

B9.1 Know and implement practices to prevent injury and protect health for self and others.

B9.2 Determine effective health and wellness routines for health care workers (i.e., stress management, hygiene, diet, rest, and drug use).

B9.3 Identify practices to prevent injuries and protect health, for self and others (i.e., seatbelts, helmets, and body mechanics). B9.4 Know how to access available wellness services (i.e., screening, exams, and immunizations). B9.5 Identify alternative/complementary health practices as used for injury and disease prevention. B9.6 Explore consequences of not utilizing available wellness services and behaviors that prevent injury and illness.

 

B10.0 Comply with protocols and preventative health practices necessary to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, health care workers, coworkers, and self within the health care setting.

B10.1 Describe the infection control cycle with consideration of the various types of microorganisms.

B10.2 Demonstrate use of facility policies and procedures of infection control while performing patient care.

B10.3 Evaluate potential causes and methods of transmitting infections and how to apply standard precautionary guidelines.

B10.4 Demonstrate the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

B10.5 Practice proper hand hygiene.

B10.6 Use various manual and mechanical decontamination and sterilization techniques and procedures.

B10.7 Document and analyze sanitation and infection control procedures.

 

B11.0 Comply with hazardous waste disposal policies and procedures, including documentation, to ensure that regulated waste is handled, packaged, stored, and disposed of in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

B11.1 Describe basic emergency procedures used to respond to a hazardous spill.

B11.2 Explain how waste is handled, packaged, stored, and disposed of in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations including hazardous chemicals, biohazards, and radioactive materials.

B11.3 Adhere to the health care setting’s waste management program (e.g., recycling and reduction of regulated medical, solid, hazardous, chemical, and radioactive waste materials). B11.4 Apply protective practices and procedure for airborne and blood-borne pathogens for equipment and facilities and identify unsafe conditions for corrective action.

 

B12.0 Adhere to the roles and responsibilities, within the scope of practice, that contribute to the design and implementation of treatment planning.

B12.1 Understand scope of practice and related skills within prevention, diagnosis, pathology, and treatment occupations.

B12.2 Describe the various roles and responsibilities of health care workers as team members in an integrated health care delivery system

B12.3 Demonstrate the knowledge and delivery of specific skills and procedures as outlined within the scope of practice appropriate for patient care in prevention, diagnosis, pathology, and treatment.

B12.4 Follow appropriate guidelines for implementation of various procedures.

 

B13.0 Research factors that define cultural differences between and among different ethnic, racial, and cultural groups and special populations.

B13.1 Utilize culturally appropriate community resources.

B13.2 Recognize complementary and alternative medicine as practiced within various cultures. B13.3 Develop ethnographic skills, by location and information retrieval, carefully observe social behavior, and manage stress and time.

B13.4 Ask questions and explore aspects of global significance.

B13.5 Analyze data using relevant concepts.

B13.6 Know when and how to incorporate trained interpreters to facilitate communication and improve patient outcomes.