Studies suggest that more computerized order entry of medications helps reduce errors by limiting interpretation errors due to handwriting (Meadows, 2003). Thus more order entry is involving computers to protect patients. A culture that supports safety and safe practices has also been adopted to provide nursing staff and patients information about drug therapy and medication to ensure that everyone is aware of the need for safe practices when utilizing and dispensing medications.
Describe the strategies used to ensure nursing practice is performed within legal requirements and ethical frameworks
Nurses now "live and work in a world where there is no single reality but many coexisting realities among which they must choose" (Johnston, 1999:1). Given that through more and more nurses are forced to make legal and ethical decisions and take steps that will determine the best processes to adopt to ensure that moral and legal processes are adopted and followed.
Under the Australian Nursing Federation nurses are encouraged to have a clear understanding of patients rights regarding their health care delivery in hospital settings and within the community (Johnston, 199). The guidelines established by this federation provide a guide under which nurses can carry out their interventions in a legal and ethical manner. The guide suggests that nurses have an obligation and duty to carry out and follow patient rights regardless of their own beliefs and opinions, which means patients have the right to the highest standards of...
All nurses adhere to these guidelines to ensure the highest ethical and legal standards are maintained in nursing care in Australia.
Describe how you contributed to the nursing plan of care for a client with a chronic health problem.
A cared for a patient on Oxygen Therapy who was also receiving nebulised ventolin. My role included not only caring for the patients medical needs but also balancing service and ensuring the patients rights and desires were met but also that the patient was educated and provided a practical method of understanding their condition and treatment options.
References
Campbell, D.W. & Sigsby, L.M. (1995). "Nursing interventions classification: A content analysis of nursing activities in public schools." Journal of Community Health Nursing, 12(4): 229.
Caretto, V.A. & McCormick, C.S. (1991). "Community as Client: A Hand's on experience for baccalaureate nursing students." Journal of Community Health Nursing, 8(3): 179.
Johnston, M.J. (1999). Bioethics: A nursing perspective. Sydney: Harcourt Saunders.
Lumby, J. & Picone, D. (2000). Clinical challenges: Focus on nursing. St. Leanords:
Allen & Unwin.
Meadows, M. (2003, May - Jun). "Strategies to reduce medication errors: How the FDA is working to improve medication safety and what you can do to help." FDA Consumer, 37(3): 20.
