Red Flag Reflection

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Recommended: Importance of patient safety in healthcare

Upon reflection of “red flag” situations, in one particular situation I was exposed to was on a day shift in the medical/Surgical unit. As I passed through the unit, I overheard a conversation of a nurse and unit supervisor discussing the work assignment that was placed on this particular nurse. She currently had one patient assigned and would receive four admissions back to back after handing off her current assignment to the nurse who was in charge of the unit that shift. In this unit charge nurses were only assigned one patient while they were in charge. I could see the nurse pleading with the supervisor who merely wasn’t interested in what the nurse had to say or what her concerns were, but instead stated “ in every other med/surg unit your …show more content…

According to Ritter (2010, p. 28), Unhealthy work environment found personnel having characteristics such as, abusive behavior, disrespect, and lack of leadership, only to mention a few traits. This was certainly demonstrated in this unit that day. I was only too happy to have walked into the unit that day, if not only to assist the nurse but, reassure and provide care to the patients who were subjected to the animosity and turmoil in the unit. I don’t believe a mandatory staff ratio in this case would have helped but, I think having a time frame on when the nurse could safely receive her patients and time to settle each one would be beneficial. The unit needs a lot of work in collaboration and teamwork. I agree with the statement in the American Association of Critical Care Nurse (AACN, 2005) in that it is important to have methods in place for improvements in working relationships, whether it is nurse to nurse or nurse to physician. Finally, the knowledge and abilities of each professional are respected when true collaboration exists and as a result, the goal for providing safe, quality care for patients is attainable. After all, our ultimate responsibility is to our patients. I think we missed

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