Patient safety and quality in a health facility

Quality and safe care are interrelated core aspects of professional nursing practice that require close attention to achieve client satisfaction. Patient safety refers to the nursing process of preventing harm to patients. Important aspects can include, for example, prevention of errors, learning from errors, and nurturing a culture of safe practices (Mitchell, 2011). To avoid safety errors it is important to have controls that monitor patient movements, such as the use of bar coding, simulators, and computerized order entry systems (Mitchell, 2011). Proper implementation of strategies to ensure patient safety, such as avoiding errors in prescribing medication, minimizing technical failures, and coordinating diverse aspects of patient care, enhance quality. Quality thus becomes a measurable or observable characteristic and level of excellence in patient safety and care (Mitchell, 2011).

            Nursing requires a combination of professional ethics and critical thinking to tackle situations that nurses face. Different patients can present with varying degrees of complex conditions, situations, and disorders with varying urgencies (Robert & Petersen, 2013). Consider the example of an elderly patient, who becomes confused and is disorderly, a teenager with minor cut, and a patient whose oxygen mask has come off. According to Robert & Petersen (2013), critical thinking requires a logical and systematic utilization of processes to address these issues. In this scenario, a logical process would begin by fixing the patients oxygen mask, followed by organizing the elderly patient since she is causing disturbance and may even mess up things. Carrying out the first aid on a minor cut would come last since the patient is not in a condition that can endanger his life or that of others.

Strong communication skills are core aspects to professional nursing practice. Effective communication with all parties, such as patients, their families, and fellow medical practitioners, is important for acquiring patient trust, minimizing unnecessary procedures, and increasing patient satisfaction (Wooten, 2013).It is imperative to give similar attention while addressing issues irrespective of demographics, such as age, status, ethnicity, gender, and personality. Communication also involves recognizing patient conditions and adjusting tonal response effectively, for example, choosing appropriate words for sensitive topics, such as miscarriage, examination of reproductive organs, and others (Wooten, 2013). Nurses should also informing patients of the status of a series of tests, if any, rather than letting patients move around looking for information from other nurses, imaging technologists, lab technicians, and other individuals (Wooten, 2013).

Nurses can be resourceful in providing specific information to patients and their families in any setting to enhance care (Ahmann & Dokken, 2012). Educating parents and patients on active subjects, such as monitoring hand washing, can significantly improve the practice. For example, encouraging patients to remind their physicians to wash their hands before undertaking an activity ensures the patients establish a discipline of frequent hand wash, making hospitals safer (Ahmann & Dokken, 2012). Creating a forum for patients and their families is an indication that health care professionals care about their concerns. Establishing a language or instructional code for use by patients for indicating concern lets the patients understand that they are welcome to share their problems. Ahmann & Dokken (2012) also indicate that a nurse should always take responsibility for misinterpreted information by patients and their families when educating them about health issues. This enhances harmony and understanding rather than picking a quarrel with the family members that they failed to learn as taught.

 

 

 

Reference

Ahmann, E., & Dokken, D. (2012). Strategies for encouraging patient/family member partnerships with the health care team. Pediatric Nursing, 38(4), 232-235

Mitchell, P. H. (2011). Patient safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/books/NBK2681

Robert, R. R., & Petersen, S. (2013). Critical thinking at the bedside: Providing safe passage to patients. Med- Surg Nursing, 22(2), 85-118

Wooten, A. (2013). Effective patient communication. Radiologic technology, 85(2), 215-218

 

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