The Nursing clinics of North America
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In this article, the principles behind high-reliability organizations and a culture of safety are explored. Three areas in which health care has the greatest potential for improvement in safety culture are also discussed: a nonpunitive response to error; handoffs and transitions; and safe staffing. Tools for frontline nurses to help improve their organization's culture of safety in these areas are reviewed. Information is also given for nurses responding to error, including participating in root-cause analysis and supporting health care workers involved in adverse events.
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Nurs. Clin. North Am. · Mar 2015
ReviewInterprofessional collaborative care skills for the frontline nurse.
Patients in the hospital setting are acutely ill and many have complications from chronic illnesses. Their care is complex and reimbursed on a value-based payment system. ⋯ High-functioning interprofessional collaborative care is required for patients to have positive outcomes and for achievement of high scores on patient satisfaction surveys. This article overviews the charge for transformation, explains the concept of interprofessional collaborative care, provides examples of interdisciplinary teams in practice for application, and provides resources to improve collaborative care.
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Limited patient literacy contributes to poorer health status, increased emergency room and hospital use, higher morbidity and mortality rates, and less use of preventive health services. All patients, however, need health information that is accurate, accessible, and actionable to make informed decisions about their health. A universal health literacy precautions approach is recommended to empower patients through shared decision-making interactions. Consistent use of evidence-based health literacy practices by front-line nurses offers the potential for transformations in nursing care through stronger patient-nurse interactions and health system partnerships.
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This article provides frontline nurses a tool kit so they can advocate a healthy practice environment. The healthy nurse, healthy work hours, job satisfaction, adequate sleep, power naps at work, and balancing family/work are discussed. ⋯ Case reports with analysis and recommendations are discussed to overcome these barriers. Resources are presented for frontline nurses to develop a tool kit for transforming their environment to a healthy practice environment and to empower them to become healthy nurses.