Ethics in perioperative practice--values,integrity, and social policy

Though often difficult, ethical decision making is necessary when caring for surgical patients. Perioperative nurses have to recognize ethical dilemmas and should be prepared to take action based on the ethical code outlined in the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. In this final article of a nine-part series that is designed to help perioperative nurses relate the ANA code to their own area of practice, the author looks at the ninth provision, which emphasizes the responsibility of professional nursing associations to maintain the value and integrity of the profession. AORN J 76 (Dec 2002) 1047-1053.     

Ethics in perioperative practice--principles and applications

Though often difficult, ethical decision making is necessary when caring for surgical patients. Perioperative nurses have to recognize ethical dilemmas and be prepared to take action based on the ethical code outlined in the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. In this first of a nine-part series that will help perioperative nurses relate the ANA code to their own area of practice, the author looks at the first statement, which emphasizes respect for people. AORN J 75 (April 2002) 818-824.     

Ethics in perioperative practice--accountability and responsibility

Though often difficult, ethical decision making is necessary when caring for surgical patients. Perioperative nurses have to recognize ethical dilemmas and be prepared to take action based on the ethical code outlined in the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. In this third of a nine-part series that will help perioperative nurses relate the ANA code to their own area of practice, the author looks at the fourth provision statement, which addresses nurses' accountability and responsibility.     

Ethics in perioperative practice--patient advocacy

Though often difficult, ethical decision making is necessary when caring for surgical patients. Perioperative nurses have to recognize ethical dilemmas and be prepared to take action based on the ethical code outlined in the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. In this second of a nine-part series that will help perioperative nurses relate the ANA code to their own area of practice, the author looks at the third provision statement, which addresses nurses' position as patient advocates. AORN J 75 (May 2002) 941-949.     

Ethics in perioperative practice--duty to self

Though often difficult, ethical decision making is necessary when caring for surgical patients. Perioperative nurses have to recognize ethical dilemmas and be prepared to take action based on the ethical code outlined in the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. In this fifth of a nine-part series that will help perioperative nurses relate the ANA code to their own area of practice, the author looks at the fifth statement, which emphasizes commitment to one's self.     

Ethics in perioperative practice--advancing the profession

Though often difficult, ethical decision making is necessary when caring for surgical patients. Perioperative nurses have to recognize ethical dilemmas and should be prepared to take action based on the ethical code outlined in the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. In this seventh of a nine-part series that is designed to help perioperative nurses relate the ANA code to their own area of practice, the author looks at the seventh statement, which emphasizes commitment to the profession. AORN J 76 (Oct 2002) 654-656.     

Patient safety, errors and mistakes, and perioperative nursing

Today's world of advancing technology in health care represents complex diagnostic, operational, and administrative processes, all of which must be coordinated to ensure the delivery of safe, quality health care. Nonetheless, the health care industry's implementation and practice of quality measures fall below the standards of other industries, such as aerospace, telecommunications, or information technology. With health care performing at this lower level, it is no wonder that headline grabbers dwell on the deaths that occur as a result of medical errors. A new emphasis on quality management is essential in nursing education and in quality management to improve US health care. This article summarizes recent reports on medical errors and suggests strategies to improve patient safety.     

Ethics in perioperative practice--commitment to the patient

Though often difficult, ethical decision making is necessary when caring for surgical patients. Perioperative nurses have to recognize ethical dilemmas and be prepared to take action based on the ethical code outlined in the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. In this fourth of a nine-part series that will help perioperative nurses relate the ANA code to their own area of practice, the author looks at the second statement, which emphasizes commitment to the patient. AORN J 76 (July 2002) 153-160.     

北京市养老机构医务人员护理安全问题的调查与分析

目的:了解目前北京市各级养老机构医护人员对老年人医疗护理安全问题的认知及工作现状,增强安全意识,为改进管理措施提供参考。方法:采取问卷调查法,对北京市10所养老机构的200名医务人员进行老年人医疗护理安全问题调查。结果:79.8%的医护人员认为加强养老机构的安全管理非常重要;列举的11项养老机构的不安全问题中排列前3位的是跌倒(48.7%)、窒息(23.1%)、坠床(22.6%);老年人走路不稳有倾斜度(91.5%)和照顾者责任心不强(50.0%)分别占老人内、外源性安全影响因素的首位;医护人员能够给带腹透管的老年人进行医疗护理指导的只占42.0%;有31.6%的医护人员认为指导老年人预防安全措施的时间占日常工作时间的30.0%以上;结论:搞好老年人医疗护理安全工作,不仅要强化预防安全意识,同时还应具有较强的防范能力,而这些均有赖于各级养老机构对于安全工作管理的加强。     

Ethics in perioperative practice--duty to foster an ethical environment

Though often difficult, ethical decision making is necessary when caring for surgical patients. Perioperative nurses have to recognize ethical dilemmas and be prepared to take action based on the ethical code outlined in the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. In this sixth of a nine-part series that will help perioperative nurses relate the ANA code to their own area of practice, the author looks at the sixth statement, which emphasizes the nurse's duty to promote a working environment that enhances quality patient care and fosters the values and behaviors that form the foundation of ethical practice. AORN J 76 (Sept 2002) 490-497.     

Personal safety, violence, and home health

A critical issue facing the health care industry today is the potential impact of community and interpersonal violence on home health care. The purposes of this study were to (1) serve as a source for understanding the personal safety risk issues facing home care staff in a large Midwest region and its surrounding rural areas; (2) provide an understanding of how perceived threats to personal safety may impact patient care and patient outcomes; (3) identify strategies for increasing the personal safety of direct care staff; and (4) identify organizational, educational, and procedural issues that impede or enhance staff safety. A triangulated qualitative design was used including focus groups, in-depth individual interviews, critical event narratives, and a participant self-report form. The study used a purposive sample consisting of 5 men and 56 women who were either administrators or direct care staff from 13 home health agencies. Seven major themes emerged: (1) unsafe conditions that direct care staff must face; (2) organizational and administrative issues that impede or promote the personal safety of staff; (3) ethical issues staff face daily; (4) protective factors associated with maintaining safety; (5) issues of gender, race, age, and experience; (6) education and training; and (7) the potential impact that staff's fear of interpersonal and community violence can have on patient care and patient outcomes.     

Ethics, the health assessment interview, and the older patient

As a requirement for the first year nursing subject 'Health Assessment' at Flinders University of South Australia, the task was given of examining Ethics and how this relates to the health assessment interview. Due to the negative stereotypes of older people and the subsequent treatment of the older patient, focus is placed on this particular age group. A definition of Ethics is given, with further discussion relating specifically to autonomy, respect and justice. This paper is not intended to be a major dissertation on Ethics and the Four Principles, because at the time of writing this the author had not studied ethics. Instead, it is hoped that other nurses and nursing students may learn as much about the difficulties of the older patient as the author has herself, and examine possible prejudices towards patients of any age, particularly the vulnerable older patient.