If you or a close family member required hospitalization and had a choice of where to go for care how would you decide which hospital to choose? Would you look at quality indicators such as hospital acquired infections? Why or why not? There are multiple factors that may influence my personal decision regarding which hospital I would choose for myself or a close family member if hospitalization was indicated. However, I believe my own impressions of the quality of care as well as my past experiences would ultimately be the most influential elements in my decision. Similarly, recent research indicates that individuals’ perceptions of the organization’s reputation, quality indicators and personal experiences are often the most instrumental factors
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What are your legal and ethical responsibilities? What resources are available for nurses with substance abuse issues?
As nurses, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our patients. Therefore, legal and ethical responsibilities, as well as my own personal standards, would leave me no choice but to report a colleague that I suspected had the potential to endanger patients. Nurses’ obligation to report their suspicions regarding patient safety are clearly outlined in the third provision found within the American Nurses Association’s code of ethics, which states that the nurse “promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient” (Winland-Brow, Lachman & Swanson, 2015, p. 270).
According to Kunyk (2015), the prevalence of substance abuse amongst nurses is noted to be comparable to the general public. Furthermore, Kunyk (2015) has found that “most nurses' coded high risk for impaired practices were working, unknown by their employer/regulator and not receiving treatment”. Given this information, we as nurses must use our assessment techniques and skills not only when assessing our patients, but in our workplace environment to maintain patient safety. As Monroe and Kenaga (2011) identified, “recognition of a colleague’s need of treatment is the important first step in the rehabilitation process. Early intervention and assistance are essential for
What are your legal and ethical responsibilities? What resources are available for nurses with substance abuse issues?
As nurses, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our patients. Therefore, legal and ethical responsibilities, as well as my own personal standards, would leave me no choice but to report a colleague that I suspected had the potential to endanger patients. Nurses’ obligation to report their suspicions regarding patient safety are clearly outlined in the third provision found within the American Nurses Association’s code of ethics, which states that the nurse “promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient” (Winland-Brow, Lachman & Swanson, 2015, p. 270).
According to Kunyk (2015), the prevalence of substance abuse amongst nurses is noted to be comparable to the general public. Furthermore, Kunyk (2015) has found that “most nurses' coded high risk for impaired practices were working, unknown by their employer/regulator and not receiving treatment”. Given this information, we as nurses must use our assessment techniques and skills not only when assessing our patients, but in our workplace environment to maintain patient safety. As Monroe and Kenaga (2011) identified, “recognition of a colleague’s need of treatment is the important first step in the rehabilitation process. Early intervention and assistance are essential for