Read the scenario and address the discussion question:
Scenario
Nurse Lope is starting a busy shift in which she was finishing report on Mr. Johnson. During report, Nurse Jim who was finishing his shift also gave Nurse Lope a medicine cup containing three of Mr. Johnson's unopened medications that he reported were recently retrieved from the medication dispenser. Nurse Lope was told that these were supposed to have been given 30 minutes ago and asked if she could give them during bedside hand-off. As Nurse Lope planned to stay in Mr. Johnson's room to complete his vital signs and assessment, she agreed with this plan.
When she opened Mr. Johnson's electronic medical record to administer these medications, she noticed that these medications were scheduled to be given 3 hours ago. Additionally, one of the medications had a barcode that was not scanning to Mr. Johnson's chart. Nurse Lope proceeded to administer these medications so that she would not be late on the next round of medications, which included some of the same ones. It was later discovered that the medication that was not scanning was for another patient and should not have been given to Mr. Johnson.
Discussion Question
Outline the concept of professional accountability as it pertains to nursing. Examine the actions of Nurse Jim and Nurse Lope. Discuss how you would approach this scenario if you were in Jim's and Lope's position. Based on your analysis of how nurses demonstrate accountability in clinical practice, the nursing process, and evidence-based practice, explain how you would handle this situation if you were the nurse manager overseeing Jim and Lope.
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to "RN-BSN Discussion Question Rubric" and "RN-BSN Participation Rubric," located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.
Essay: Professional Accountability in Nursing Practice
Professional accountability is a fundamental concept in nursing that encompasses responsibility, answerability, and ownership of one's actions and decisions in the healthcare setting. Nurses are entrusted with the well-being of their patients and are expected to uphold ethical standards, professional guidelines, and best practices to ensure safe and quality care delivery. In the scenario provided, Nurse Jim and Nurse Lope's actions raise concerns regarding professional accountability and patient safety.
Nurse Jim and Nurse Lope: Analysis of Actions
Nurse Jim demonstrated a lack of accountability by handing over medications to Nurse Lope without verifying the administration time or patient details. This oversight led to the potential harm of administering the wrong medication to Mr. Johnson. Nurse Lope, on the other hand, failed to conduct a thorough medication reconciliation process before administering the medications, neglecting her responsibility to ensure patient safety.
Approaching the Scenario
If I were in Nurse Jim's position, I would take responsibility for my error by immediately notifying Nurse Lope about the discrepancy in medication administration times and patient identification. Transparency and communication are crucial in addressing mistakes in healthcare to prevent harm to patients.
As Nurse Lope, I would prioritize patient safety by conducting a thorough verification process, including checking medication schedules, patient identifiers, and barcode scanning accuracy before administering any medications. If discrepancies are identified, I would escalate the issue to the healthcare team for resolution.
Nurse Manager's Role in Ensuring Accountability
As a nurse manager overseeing Jim and Lope, I would emphasize the importance of professional accountability and adherence to best practices in medication administration. Implementing regular training sessions on medication safety protocols, barcode scanning procedures, and effective communication strategies would be essential to prevent similar errors in the future.
Furthermore, fostering a culture of open communication, where healthcare staff feel empowered to speak up about potential patient safety concerns without fear of retribution, is vital. Encouraging a team-based approach to error prevention and resolution can enhance accountability and promote a safe healthcare environment.
In conclusion, professional accountability in nursing practice is paramount for ensuring patient safety and quality care delivery. Nurses must uphold ethical standards, adhere to best practices, and collaborate effectively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide optimal patient outcomes. By prioritizing accountability, nurses can mitigate errors, improve patient care quality, and uphold the trust placed in them by their patients and colleagues.