While improving medical errors can be a complex issue, several reliable strategies can help significantly reduce incidence rates. For many hospitals, the road to better outcomes begins with the implementation of improved patient safety protocols. If designed and deployed effectively, these protocols empower healthcare administrators to learn from past mistakes, improve the trustworthiness of their medical staff, minimize errors, and, most importantly, reduce patient mortality rates.
What is Patient Safety in Nursing?
Understanding patient safety in nursing is the first step towards reducing the risk of medical errors. Patient safety has been defined by the Institute of Medicine simply as “the prevention of harm to patients.” Others have expanded on this definition, emphasizing the need to promote patient safety through the creation of a care delivery system that focuses on preventing errors and learning from those that occur. A robust, successful patient safety strategy will use evidence-based outcomes to constantly improve patient safety protocols and establish an enduring culture of learning and improvement.
Nurses are a crucial part of any hospital’s efforts to improve patient safety. Nurses have the most direct interaction with patients of any healthcare professional—they consistently monitor patients’ conditions, administer medication, and communicate self-care and discharge information. Because nurses are directly involved with patients on a day-to-day, often hourly level, improving their ability to provide accurate, high-quality care is paramount to the success of any holistic patient safety strategy.
But while nurses play a vital role in patient safety, they are certainly not alone. Patient safety must be viewed as a collaborative effort, one that hospital administrators, doctors, and physicians’ assistants are equally engaged in. Only when all healthcare professionals commit to reducing medical errors will meaningful, measurable improvements be made.
How do Nurses Ensure Patient Safety in the Hospital?
An effective approach for improving patient safety measures in nursing must be tailored to nurses and the unique role they play in providing bedside care. Many nurses find it helpful to break patient safety down into a set of tangible tactics geared towards minimizing medical errors and improving patient outcomes, including:
Monitoring Patients
A patient’s medical condition can change in the blink of an eye, meaning nurses must be prepared to quickly identify any complications that arise. Continuing education significantly improves nurses’ patient monitoring skills, helping them better understand the nuances of wound progression, pressure ulcers, and other bedside conditions so that they can spot complications before they become dangerous.
Access to new technology also helps nurses monitor patients more effectively. While bedside alarms are commonplace in most hospital settings, technological innovations like medicine barcode scanning and laser temperature checks continue to improve the quality of patient monitoring.
Educating Patients
Patients’ lack of compliance with their post-discharge self-care routine, including wound management, medication regimens, and occupational therapy, is a common source of preventable error in healthcare. According to a study from the Mayo Clinic, medication errors are present in approximately 50% of patients once they are discharged. More specifically, a study found that 59.2% of cardiac patients had a misunderstanding in indication, dose, or frequency of their cardiac medication.
Educating patients on their post-discharge care is a simple, yet effective, example of how nurses can improve patient safety. By working with patients to ensure they have a thorough understanding of their medical condition and self-care routine before they are discharged, nurses help facilitate a smooth recovery. If patients seem unable to recall or comprehend their outpatient care requirements, it may be necessary for nurses to ensure compliance with a family member.
Assisting Physicians
Despite their laser focus on a patient’s condition, physicians are still susceptible to human error. In the operating room and beyond, nurses serve, among many roles, as an extra pair of eyes, ready to call a timeout before the physician makes a mistake.
To help doctors avoid mistakes whenever possible, nurses must maintain a keen understanding of each patient’s existing medical record and any procedure they are receiving. This heightened awareness will empower nurses to more readily identify conflicting medications or surgical risks that could put the patient in jeopardy.
How do Nurses Promote Patient Safety?
Promoting patient safety in nursing requires the cultivation of intentional communication and collaboration—a responsibility that falls on the shoulders of leaders within the hospital’s nursing department. In a healthy workplace environment, effective nurse administrators will applaud those who strive to diligently minimize medical errors and alert others when errors have occurred, setting the tone for a respectful, transparent medical team.
On the contrary, administrators that partake in shaming their employees for making honest mistakes or calling attention to the mistakes of others will only stifle communication. Afraid to speak up, employees will sweep mistakes under the rug, directly jeopardizing patient safety. This type of fear-induced workplace culture adds a layer of stress to an already high-stress profession, further impacting a nurse’s ability to effectively care for their patients.
National Nurse Week
National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6-12 ending on Florence Nightingale's birthday. The American Nurses Association (ANA) first recognized the week in 1990, and in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Psychiatric Nursing
While physical health is undoubtedly important, so is Mental Health. Millions of Americans are affected by mental illness each year. Psychiatric Nurses have the specialized…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New BSN Info Sessions – Register
The on-campus Information Session aims to offer valuable insights to individuals considering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Reserve a Spot…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
RNs ready to pursue more?
Are you a Registered Nurse wondering what the next step is in your career? Considered your BSN? Sumner College's RN to BSN program can get…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nurses Influence the Health and Wellbeing of Patients Every Day
As individuals, nurses directly influence the health and wellbeing of patients every day. Through frequent contact, nurses are best placed to encourage lifestyle changes in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Changes in Nursing
Changes in nursing involve a major shift in higher education standards, requiring more nurses to hold a 4-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Trades make a comeback with Gen Z Workers
America’s skilled trades — from nursing and plumbing to welding to construction — need more workers as boomers retire. Gen Z-ers are stepping up to fill…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Congratulations, Sumner College Graduates: Embracing New Beginnings
Congratulations to the new Sumner College nursing graduates. As the tassels are flipped and mortarboards soar into the sky, a chapter closes, and another begins.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
April BSN Info Sessions
Have you considered being a nurse and working in the healthcare industry? Attend an information meeting with Sumner College to learn more about the BSN…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
The State of Wellness: Everything You Need to Know About the Oregon State Board of Nursing
You have likely heard about the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN), but how does the organization interact with and support Oregon nurses? Join us…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
OCN Explores Nursing Wages in New Research
Article & Photo Shared from Oregon Center for Nursing How much do Oregon nurses really make? The well-being of Oregon’s nursing workforce is a guiding initiative for…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New Classes Start Today!
March classes start today! Welcome to our new BSN, PN and RN-BSN students.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Alex – Sumner College Graduate
Alex, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Alexandra – Sumner College RN to BSN Graduate
Alexandra, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Renee – Sumner College Graduate
Renee, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Serena – Sumner College Graduate
Serena congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Amanda – Sumner College Graduate
Amanda, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Natalie – Sumner College Graduate
Natalie, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Now Hiring
Are you a healthcare educator? Sumner College is looking for our next Nursing Educator to join our team. This is a part time position. Read…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Erin – Sumner College Graduate
Erin, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Exploring the Vital Role of Nurses in Heart Health
Article Shared from DiversityNursing.com February is American Heart Month. It's important to promote cardiovascular health and explore the many ways Nurses are engaged in these…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Anne Marie – Sumner College Graduate
Anne Marie, congratulations on your graduation! As you've embarked on your nursing journey, remember: 'Nursing is not just a profession, it's a calling to serve,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing Ranked Most Trusted Profession for 22nd Year
Article Shared from DiversityNursing.com In Gallup's 2023 Honesty and Ethics poll, Americans' evaluations of almost all 23 professions have experienced a decline compared to previous years.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Helpful Apps Every Nurse Should Have
Article shared from DiversityNursing.com Mobile apps have transformed how Nurses provide care to their patients. Smartphones allow Nurses easy access to applications designed to assist…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
DiversityNursing.com – Helpful Resources
Helpful Resources DiversityNursing.com is a Career Job Board, Community and Information Resource for all Nurses regardless of age, race, gender identity, religion, education, national origin,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
How to Prepare for College – Oregon Goes to School
Article shared from Oregon Goes to College It’s a plan! No matter what grade you’re in, you can get ready for your future. Getting ready…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Clinical Partners
Sumner College clinical partnerships play a crucial role in advancing medical education and training. By offering opportunities for hands-on experience and mentorship, these collaborations help…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Commencement Ceremony
Save the date - April 6, 2024 for Sumner College's Commencement Ceremony. Celebrating cohorts: PN54, PN55, ADN23, RN-BSN10 and RN-BSN11 Congratulations to you all!! Tickets…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Healthcare Hero
Are you aspiring to be a healthcare hero? A common question from our nursing students at Sumner College is about the role of ER nurses…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Dynamic – Interactive – Rich with Real-world Relevance
RNs are you ready to take your nursing career to the next level with a BSN? Guess what - at Sumner College, you can achieve…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn