Week 10

Question 1

How prevalent are hospital errors?

Answer 1

1 in 18 Canadians suffer from preventable hospital errors

Question 2

What are the challenges to safe nursing care?

Answer 2

• nursing environment (staffing, equipment, etc.)
• teamwork and communication
• nursing perspective and patient perspective on safety
• technology

Question 3

Why is disclosure important?

Answer 3

• restore trust and improve patient outcomes
• Canadians are supportive of open and transparent disclosure of harm
• the ethical obligation to be open and honest
• so that we can provide support to anyone involved

Question 4

What are the elements of quality care?

Answer 4

Safe
- pt: “I will not be harmed by the health system-physically, emotionally or otherwise”
- nurse: “The care my patient receives does not cause harm”

Effective
- pt: I receive the right treatment for my condition, and it contributes to improving my health
- nurse: Care provided is based on the best evidence and produces the desired outcome.

Patient centered
- pt: My goals and preferences are respected. My family and I treated with respect and dignity
- nurse: Decisions about my patient’s care reflect the goals and preferences of the patient and his/her family or caregivers

Timely
- pt: I know how long I have to wait to see a doctor or for tests or treatments I need and why. I am confident this wait time is safe and appropriate
- nurse: My patient can receive care within an acceptable time after the need is identified

Efficient
- pt: The care I receive from all practitioners is well coordinated and efforts are not duplicated. The value of my time is respected
- nurse: I deliver care to my patients using available human, physical and financial resources efficiently with no waste to the system

Equitable
- pt: No matter who I am or where I live, I can access services that benefit me. I am fairly treated by the health care system.
- nurse: Every individual receives high-quality care that is fair and appropriate to them, no matter where they live, what they have or who they are.

Question 5

What are the benefits of accreditation?

Answer 5

• Provides a framework to help create and implement systems and processes that improve operational effectiveness and advance positive health outcomes
• Improves communication and collaboration internally and with external stakeholders
• Strengthens interdisciplinary team effectiveness
• Mitigates the risk of adverse effects
• Sustains improvements in quality and organizational performance

Question 6

What are characteristics of magnet hospitals

Answer 6

Fewer hierarchical levels-fewer layers of management
More nursing autonomy
More control in decision making
Support from supervisors and co-workers-enabled professional development
Effective leadership-nurses feel trusted and valued
Manageable workload
7% of American Hospitals have magnet status

Question 7

What are the outcomes of magnet hospitals?

Answer 7

Higher job satisfaction
Less burnout
Lower levels of turnover
Improved quality of care
Lower patient mortality
Less falls and reduced pressure ulcers