Electronic Communication in Nursing Case Study 2022

Running head: NURSING
Nursing
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

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Introduction:
Effective communication is a vital component for a successful health care team.
Although information sharing and documentation process was earlier completed verbally or in
written form, the documentation process has now been digitalised. Registered nurses play a
crucial in communication about care and evaluation of the same using electronic documentation
process (Keller et al., 2013). However, there are certain professional requirements to fulfil while
engaging in electronic documentation process. Failure to do the same leads to disciplinary action
as well as patient safety events. The main purpose of this paper is to understand concerns related
to electronic documentation process by analysing the case ‘Inquest into the death of Troy
almond’. The paper will look at the accountability requirements of the nurse during electronic
communication and identify missed opportunities of care from the case study.
Accountability requirements of the registered nurse related to electronic communication:
Today, nurses use a variety of electronic communication device like mobile phones,
handheld tables, laptops and videoconferencing system to communicate with professionals.
Electronic communication between health staff and patient is associated with empowerment,
enhanced patient centred care, cost and time savings (Niemi, Hupli & Koivunen, 2016).
However, adapting to new ways of communication such as use of electronic devices requires
acquisition of new skills and attitudes by nurses. According to the Nursing and Midwifery Board
of Australia (NMBA) (2017), registered nurses have a responsibility to demonstrate skill in
electronic communication while communicating nursing assessments and decisions to the
interdisciplinary health care team. They need to follow fulfil several criteria and maintain
accountability during electronic communication process. If this is not followed, it may lead to

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confidentiality and security related issues (Niemi, Hupli & Koivunen, 2016). For this reason,
many standards have been established so that registered nurses maintain accountability during
electronic documentation process. According to guideline for electronic documentation for
registered nurse in Australia, they need to maintain integrity of documentation. This means
following all criteria related to recording of patient data, using appropriate identification of
patient, maintaining storage integrity and ensuring timely access to electronic health records of
patient (NSW Government, 2012).
Analysis of missed opportunities and areas of gap:
In the report of the Inquest into the death of Roy Jacob, it was identified of Troy Almond,
it was identified that he died due to the failure by the treating specialist in the Emergency
Department to recognized signs of sepsis and administer antibiotics in the right time. The cause
of death was septicaemia due to Streptococcal infection. Troy Daniel Almond was born on 9th
October, 2014 and he was admitted to the emergency after he was found to be restless with fever
on 21st March 2016. The RN Pamela Mason recorded each of the observations of Troy in the
electronic medical record. When looking at the detailed Coroner’s report, it was found that
involved RN Avis and Mr Bradley Scotcher failed to conduct blood test which would have given
early signs of bacterial infection and initiation of antibiotics. Dr Tajvidi made impression of viral
infection for Troy without conducting clinical test (Coroners court of New South Wales,
2018).This was a very irresponsible act by the doctor.
Another major missed opportunity of care was that Dr Tajvidi did not engaged in
repeated vital signs observation of Troy and timely recording of all vital sign observation was
not done. For example, the Coroner’s report revealed that timely documentation was not done by