I feel like my job as a nurse would be to make sure that no errors occur, and that the patient is safe at all times. When researching my topic, I learned that a lot of patients in the hospital die due to medical errors. I also learned that a lot of injuries occur among hospitalized older adults due to safety related issues. I think it’s sad that many people are being harmed and losing their life all because of something that could have been prevented. Patient safety is a huge issue that should never be overlooked.
Consider a person with an incurable illness or severe debility such that life has become so racked with pain or so burdensome that desirable, meaningful, purposeful existence has ceased. In ancient days, assisted suicide was frequently seen as a way to preserve one’s honor. “For the past twenty-five years, on the other hand, the practice has been viewed as a response to the progress of modern medicine” (McDougall, 2008). New and often costly medical technologies have been developed that extend life. Nevertheless, the technologies also prolong the dying processes, leading some people to question whether modern medicine is forcing patients to live in unnecessary pain when there is no chance they will be cured.
While these are all important throughout the nighttime, it does not allow for healing. The body repairs the most during sleep and during quiet times. The question here asked is why hospitals, the very place where healing is most needed, allow for such high levels of noise and sleep deprivation? Minimizing environmental stressors can allow for maximum recovery for the patients while protecting their privacy and dignity. The healing hospital paradigm involves healing the client as a whole.
Sleep is also the optimum time and physiological state for cell growth and repair (Harkreader, 2007), yet states of impaired skin integrity, muscle, nerve, or organ damage usually causes pain, which impairs sleep. It is important, therefore, to pay close attention to the assessment of the clients sleep health in nursing practice. Thorough assessment of the clients sleep patterns can identify impaired sleep function, which can in turn set the stage for client-appropriate nursing interventions and communication with the rest of the collaborative health care team, such as the primary physician, for other interventions that may be needed. As important as it is to do a thorough holistic assessment of the patient, some areas of assessment can prove to be more challenging than others in gaining accurate information. Sleep is one of them.
Abstract Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is defined as “the restoration of cardiac and respiratory function required in the treatment of cardiac arrest and incorporates a spectrum of procedures ranging from mouth to mouth ventilation, chest compression, electrical defibrillation, cardiac pacing, open chest massage, endotracheal intubation and the administration of fluids and medications” (Kelly, 2007 p. 111). There is an ethical debate sparking in the healthcare community in regards to the evolving practice of performing slow codes. A slow code is an acknowledged, unspoken practice of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation without purposeful intent to resuscitate the patient. “The goal of the slow code is to let the patient die with the appearance of an attempted rescue” (Zucker, 1998 p.597). Many healthcare workers view this practice as invasive and degrading to the dying or critically ill patient, while others view it as an attempt to satisfy family members and the governing healthcare statutes.
Initially the ability to qualify for the procedure is mandiotory, and the need to fully prepare and understand the process of the procedure is a must. The understanding of all risks and complications that can occur throughout the surgical process is desired for the protection of patients and all consultants. Despite the fact that there are countless risks and complications involved with the lap band surgery, it can still provide obese patients with the opportunity for a healthier lifestyle. Although many people believe they are overweight, or believe they need weight loss surgery, there are still many standards and qualifications necessities required before the approval of lap-band surgery. One of the important standards is the requirement of having a body mass index of 40 or higher, due to the fact that having a body mass index of 40 or higher proves to be the ideal candidate for lap-band surgery.
724.8 – Evidence-Based Practice & Applied Nursing Research Research Integration 724.8.3-06 Western Governors University A. Routine Shaving Prior to Surgery 1. Surprisingly, many hospitals continue this practice, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. This practice leads to increased risk of infection to the patient. 2.
Was the hospital up to current practice standards? Followed by an observation of a registered nurse performing the identified procedure and did it deviate from standards. What should the proper response be when you as a registered nurse discovers an unsafe practice. In conclusion reflect on the opportunities and challenges of evidence based nursing practice and implementation into actual bedside nursing practice. A nursing procedure that is commonly used is the incentive spirometer.
In this essay we examine the impact of withholding and withdrawal of treatment from a nursing perspective and examine the ethical issues involved. When a cure is absolutely impossible certain life sustaining medical treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ventilation, nutrition and hydration, dialysis, transfusions, and antibiotics may have to be withdrawn or withheld (Derse, 2005). Recent media attention on the case of Terri Schiavo has successfully highlighted the ethical, legal and social issues of withdrawing and withholding treatment. Konishi et al (2002) discuss the ethics of withdrawing artificial food and fluid from terminally ill patients bringing in the dilemma on end of life issues and whether life of patients could be ended intentionally by stopping or withdrawing treatment. Withdrawal of food and fluid from terminally ill patients is a growing ethical issue and concerns patients, families, and nurses as well.
Hazards from equipment: Hazards from equipment in health and social care settings can include: * Untidiness – for example in hospitals, there is a lot of electrical equipment and so wires could become a tripping hazard on wards and could lead to serious injury i.e. broken bones. Also beds and other equipment tend to be left in corridors and could become a huge obstacle in the case of a fire or other emergency. * Poor maintenance – again in hospitals, a lot of electrical equipment is used so it is easy to ignore frayed wires which can cause someone an