Nurses have a duty to protect and respect the autonomy of the patient to delivery safe competent care.
In this case, Mr. Richards and his family did not receive quality care that was entitled them by the nursing staff and the facility due to lack of empathy, compassion, and competence.
Constraints
Unlike any facility there are certain constraints in administrative decisions that compromise patient care. Professional constraints such as budgets, reimbursement for services, and cost for supplies; create deficits in health care as a whole. Nurses are faced with staffing issues but are still accountable for patient safety as a first priority. Although, nurses at times become frustrated and feel powerless with dealing with staffing issues; nurses fear losing their position and creating tension in the work environment if they voice their concerns. Lack of knowledge of procedures and protocols can create a work environment that is not stable for quality patient care.
Nurses were Culpable
Burkhardt & Nathaniel (2013) “Nurses can be accused of malpractice if they fail to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate the patients condition or respond to treatment. ”For example, the nurses failed to listen and respond to the patient which showed lack of respect or regard for the patient when he pleaded for help. No pain control for comfort measures was implemented neither was the doctor notified. What is disturbing is the lack of knowledge, competence, and empathy . The nurses lacked competence and knowledge by not assessing if the patient was a risk factor for developing a bowel obstruction; For example, the patients age, ambulation status, intake and output, and medications. No pain control or comfort measures were implement a...
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...ds of the patients. What I learned from the case study is that I am accountable for the decisions that I make as a nurse. LaSala & Bjarnason (2010) stated “ The ethics of care is characterized by attentiveness, responsiveness, competence, and responsiveness.” It is important for me to be caring, a good listener, and be available to my patients in their time of need. Creating a positive work environment and having the courage to voice safety issues advocates for my patients to have better outcomes.
References
Burkhardt, M.A. & Nathaniel, A.K. (2013) Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
LaSala, C.A., Bjarnason, D. (2010) Creating Workplace Environments that Support Moral Courage The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (15)(3), Manuscript 4.
DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol15No03Man04
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