Discuss about the Nursing and the Division of Labour in Healthcare.
It is fundamental for medical professionals to maintain the highest standards of care as far as patients are concerned since any mistake can be fatal and can even result in the death of a patient. Laws have been created to ensure that medical professionals are very careful when handling patients and to ensure that the professionals know the consequences of their actions before they do them. It is important for professionals to work within their scope of practice since they are trained in that area and that makes it less likely that they would make mistakes. However, mistakes can occur sometimes as much as a medical professional may try to maintain the highest standards as stipulated in the law so in case a mistake occurs it is crucial for the medical professional to respond appropriately with haste to try and rectify the situation.
NSW health medication handling policy is directly associated with the scenario in question (Western Australia, 2013). The rule combines the best practice doctrines on drug procurement, possession, storage, prescribing, provision, supplying, administering as well as recording at the NSW public health amenities with the requirements of the NWS poisons and therapeutic goods act of 1966 and the poisons and therapeutic goods regulation 2008, NWS health guidelines and NWS health directives pertinent to medication management (Merner & Victoria, 2009).
As far as the registered nurse is concerned, there is standard of care that is expected of him. One, he should think critically and analyze nursing practice. Registered nurses should use a variety of thinking strategies at their disposal as well as the best available evidence in making decisions such as research findings so as to guarantee safe and quality nursing practice. He should also employ ethical background when making decisions. This also includes maintenance of accurate, comprehensive as well as timely documentation of assessment, planning decision making, actions, and evaluations (Billings, Kennedy, Grano, Davey, Riley & Leo Cussen Institute. 2008).
Two, he should comprehensively conduct assessments. A registered nurse conducts valuations that are not only all-inclusive but also artistically appropriate. He or she employs a wide range of examination methods aimed at analytically collecting pertinent and accurate data for the purposes of informing practice (Arcus & New South Wales, 2001). He or she should also work in partnership so as to determine factors that potentially affect the wellbeing and health of individuals and the general population so as to prioritize on the next plan of action (Standing, 2011).
Three, he should engage in therapeutic as well as professional relationships. A registered nurse institutes sustains as well as concludes relationships in a way that observes boundaries between friendship and professional relationships. He or she also communicates effectively in a way that shows respect to an individual’s values, culture, rights, dignity as well as beliefs. The nurse provides the needed assistance and directs individuals to resources so as to help them make informed decisions. The professional reports any notifiable conduct of health workers, health professionals among others. To achieve improved health outcomes, the registered nurse employs delegation, supervision, consultation, coordination as well as referrals in professional relationships (American Nurses Association & Health Ministries Association, 2012).
Four, he should take it upon himself to engineer a strategy for nursing practice. Employing the best available evidence as well as assessment data, the registered nurse is able to develop a plan. The nurse in consultation with other stakeholders constructs nursing practice strategies until possibilities, goals, outcomes, and timeframes are agreed with the pertinent people. He also coordinates resources efficiently and effectively for planned actions. The nurse should document, evaluate as well as make changes to the plan for the purposes of facilitating the agreed outcomes (Crisp, Taylor, Douglas, & Rebeiro, 2012).
Five, he should evaluate outcomes to inform nursing practice. A registered nurse evaluates and monitors progress to ensure that everything is heading in the right direction for the desired result to be achieved. The nurse based on the evaluation reviews the plan determines further priorities, goals, and outcomes but in consultation with the relevant stakeholders (Tschudin & Davis, 2008).
Six, the professional should maintain the capability for practice. A Registered nurse as regulated health professional after consideration responds in a manner that is time conscious to his or her wellbeing as well as that of others relative to the capability for practice. The professional also make available crucial information and education necessary for people to enhance their control over health. He or she employs a lifelong learning strategy so as to continue to develop professionally, therefore, developing others in the process. A registered nurse most importantly accepts responsibility for choices, actions, behaviors as well as responsibilities inherent in the assigned role and for the acts of others who essentially take orders from the professional. The nurse identifies and at the same time promotes the crucial role of nursing practice and the vocation in engendering better health conclusions for citizens (Burton & Ludwig, 2014).
Finally, he should provide safe, suitable as well as receptive nursing practice. The registered nurse delivers complete, safe as well as quality practice so that there are favorable outcomes that are in line with the nursing needs of the people. The nurse also practices within his or her scope of practice. Vitally, the nurse appropriately delegates prospects to enrolled nurses and others keeping in mind their scope of practice. Furthermore, the nurse provides effective timely direction as well as supervision for the purposes of making sure that the delegated practice is not only safe but correct as well (Nurses & Midwives Board of Australia, 2016). The nurse practices within the relevant standards, guidelines, regulations as well as legislations. Using the appropriate processes, the nurse identifies and reports potential and actual risk related system issues as well as a situation where practice may fall below the recommended standard ( Fedoruk & Hofmeyer, 2012).
This standard of care that is expected by the registered nurse is determined by his or her performance as far as successful treatment of patients is concerned. When the professional upholds this standard then there is no room for errors and mistakes are minimal hence if there are constant mistakes, this is a warning sign that the standards of care given by the professional are on a downward spiral (Guido, 2010).
It is important for professionals to work within their scope of practice. A person’s scope of practice is influenced by his or her education, experience, knowledge, skills as well as currency. It is crucial to for a professional to know his or her scope of practice as well as other members of the team primarily because if a task is delegated and it is not done to satisfaction, then the professional remains accountable. First, working within one’s scope of practice ensures that one does not get in trouble with the licensing body. When medical professionals like registered nurses engage in practices that beyond their scope then the licensing authority can take drastic measures to discipline the individual. This can include suspension or fines to the relevant individual (Allen & Hughes, 2002).
Secondly, working outside the scope of practice compromises the safety of the patient. The patient is usually at risk because the procedures being undertaken can be delicate and without the necessary knowledge, skill, experience as well as education, then chances are that the condition may escalate instead of healing. This act of kindness may take a turn for against you especially if the patient dies after being handled by a person acting beyond his or her scope of practice (Dossey, Keegan & Barrere, 2016).
Thirdly, Working within one’s scope of practice improves performance. When a professional does one procedure for several months or years, he or she gets used to it hence gaining experience and confidence to do the work. This reduces the number of mistakes done hence the professional becomes very good at what they do hence attracting more client and the level of healthcare service delivery increases significantly (Stahl & Sage Publications, 2004).
Finally, working within the scope of practice aids when it comes to insurance claims. Mistakes are bound to happen no matter how careful a professional tries to avoid them. As such if a mistake is committed while treating, for example, a patient, if the registered nurse is within her or his scope then the insurance companies are able to settle any claims that may arise out of the mistake but just in case the expert was beyond his or her scope of practice then the case becomes very complicated. Since the insurance companies usually distance themselves from the expert (Huston, 2006).
Responding appropriately when a mistake occurs during professional practice enables the professionals to arrest the situation as early as possible before the problem escalates. When a mistake occurs how fast the response determines the damage that will be caused. Any delays only make the situation worse and incase the mistake is carried out by a surgeon while operation on a patient how fast the response is can determine whether the patient will survive or die (Fisher & Scott, 2013).
Responding appropriately when errors occur helps avoid lawsuits. Handling mistakes as fast as possible according to the laid down procedure ensures that grounds for lawsuits are minimized. Lawsuits are very detrimental to professionals since they may result in jail time, or even temporary suspension cancellation of practicing licenses (Peters & Peters, 2008).
All in all, legislations exist to hold professionals accountable for their decisions and actions. Establishment of standards and regulations in the medical profession ensures that patients receive the best quality of service available. Registered nurses are expected to uphold the highest standard of care for patients at all times. Professionals should work within their scope of practice so as to ensure better services and avoid unnecessary conflicts with the law. When mistakes occur it is fundamental to respond with haste to arrest the situation before it becomes worse and also to avoid lawsuits.
References
Allen, D., & Hughes, D. (2002). Nursing and the division of labour in healthcare. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
American Nurses Association., & Health Ministries Association. (2012). Faith community nursing: Scope and standards of practice. Silver Spring, Maryland: American Nurses Association.
Arcus, J., & New South Wales. (2001). Policy on the handling of medication in New South Wales public hospitals. Gladesville, N.S.W: NSW Health Dept. References
Billings, J., Kennedy, E., Grano, P., Davey, P., Riley, T., & Leo Cussen Institute. (2008).Medical treatment laws in practice. Melbourne: Leo Cussen.
Burton, M., & Ludwig, L. J. M. (2014). Fundamentals of nursing care: Concepts, connections & skills.
Crisp, J., Taylor, C., Douglas, C., & Rebeiro, G. (2012). Potter & Perry’s Fundamentals of Nursing – AUS Version. London: Elsevier Health Sciences APAC.
Dossey, B. M., Keegan, L., & In Barrere, C. (2016). Holistic nursing: A handbook for practice.
Fedoruk, M., & Hofmeyer, A. (2012). Becoming a nurse: Making the transition to practice. South Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press.
Fisher, M., & Scott, M. (2013). Patient safety and managing risk in nursing.
Guido, G. W. (2010). Legal & ethical issues in nursing. Boston: Pearson.
Huston, C. J. (2006). Professional issues in nursing: Challenges & opportunities. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Merner, B., & Victoria. (2009). Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Victoria) Bill 2009. Melbourne: Parliamentary Library Research Service, Dept. of Parliamentary Services.
Nurses & Midwives Board of Western Australia. (2016). Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia. East Perth, W.A: The Board.
Peters, G. A., Peters, B. J., & Peters, G. A. (2008). Medical error and patient safety: Human factors in medicine. Boca Raton: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis.
Stahl, M. J., & Sage Publications. (2004). Encyclopedia of health care management. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications.
Standing, M. (2011). Clinical judgement and decision making for nursing students. Exeter: Learning Matters.
Tschudin, V., & Davis, A. J. (2008). The globalisation of nursing. Oxford: Radcliffe Pub.
Western Australia. (2013). Poisons Act 1964. Perth: Government Printer.
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