Legal/Ethical, Accountability, & Advocacy (Weston Unit 2)

What is the definition of advocacy in nursing?

Advocacy means protecting and defending what others believe. Nurses advocate by protecting clients rights, providing necessary information for informed decisions, speaking for those unable to decide, and supporting the nursing profession.

What are key examples of advocacy in nursing?

Client-centered care, Patients Bill of Rights, and protecting vulnerable populations.

What is client-centered care?

Holistic care recognizing preferences, values, and needs; respecting the patient as a full partner in safe, effective, compassionate, and culturally appropriate care.

What are the main points of the Patients Bill of Rights?

High-quality hospital care, a clean/safe environment, involvement in care, privacy protection, discharge preparation, and assistance with bills/insurance.

Who are considered vulnerable populations in healthcare?

Infants/Children, intellectually/physically/ mentally challenged individuals, underprivileged, elderly, rural communities, and the homeless.

What is the nursing role in protecting vulnerable populations?

Promote health, prevent illness, restore health, and facilitate coping with disability or death.

(Accountability) What does accountability mean in nursing?

Being morally responsible for the consequences of personal actions and the care provided to clients.

Difference between moral and ethical in this context?

Moral= knowing right from wrong; Ethical= doing what is right

What are key examples of accountability?

Competence and professional development

Define competence in nursing

Possessing knowledge and skills to perform safely and appropriately, with clinical judgement and QSEN competencies (patient-centered care, teamwork, quality improvement, safety, evidence-based practice, informatics

What does competent practice involve?

Respecting legal boundaries, following policies, knowing strengths;weaknesses, refusing unsafe assignments, lifelong learning, respecting patient rights, careful documentations, and working within the system

What is professional development in nursing?

Seeking growth, education, supervised experience, and lifelong learning to stay competent for evolving responsibilities

What are professional behaviors in nursing?

Specialized skill sets essential to a professional role, mainly accountability and autonomy, plus dedication, compassion, caring, and compliance with standards.

What are two major examples of professional behaviors?

Mississippi nursing Competency Model and American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards of Nursing Practice and Code of Ethics

What are the ANA Standards of practice (nursing process)?

Assessment, Diagnosing, Outcomes identification, Planning, Implementation, Coordination of care, Health Teaching/ Promotion, Consultation, Prescriptive Authority/Treatment, and Evaluations

Why are nursing standards important?

They guide professional roles, protect nurses/patients/institutions, and ensure safe, knowledgable, and comprehensive care.

What is health policy?

refers to decisions, plans, and actions undertaken to achieve specific health care goals within a society. They provide guidelines for outcomes and identify roles for groups of people.

What is the role of regulatory agencies in healthcare?

They impact client care and nursing responsibilities by setting standards, ensuring safety, and overseeing healthcare services.

What does OSHA (Occupational safety & Health Administration) do?

Established by the OSHA health act, it ensures safe and healthful working conditions for men and women, reduces workplace injuries/illnesses, and sets safety standards for workers who may be exposed to blood borne pathogens in their employment

What is the main role of the board of Nursing and Licensure?

Protecting the public and maintaining trust in nursing through licensure and professional oversight

What is the mission of the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)?

To enhance the health and well-being of all Americans through human services and advances in medicine, public health, and social services.

What does the Divisions of Health Services Regulation (DHSR) oversee?

medical, mental health, and adult care facilities, EMS, and local jails; ensures safety and appropriate care; and controls Certificates of Need for new facilities.

Why and RNs obligated to report communicable disease?

To protect public health by ensuring timely intervention, surveillance, and prevention of disease spread.

What is HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems)

A standardized survey of 32 questions measuring patients perspectives on hospital care, covering topics such as communication, staff responsiveness, pain management, cleanliness, and discharge information.

What are Core Measures (Accountability Measures)?

Evidence-based quality measures meeting four criteria that, when improved, have the greatest positive impact on patient outcomes.

Who sets National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs)?

The Joint commission, using standards to measure, access, and improve healthcare performance

What do NPSGs focus on?

Patient safety, care quality, organizational functions, and reducing risks of harm

What is the nurses role in achieving NPSGs?

Implementing safety practices, following standards, ensuring effective communication, preventing errors, and advocating for safe patient care.

Define Autonomy

Nurses must respect patients right to self-determination, providing sufficient information to make decisions based on their personal beliefs

Define Veracity

Truthfulness

Define Justice

Fairness and Equality

Define Fidelity

To Keep promises

Define Non-maleficence

to do NO HARM

Define Accountability

Being responsible for own actions/decisions

Define Advocacy

Promote and protect the patients rights, health, and safety

Who can write a DNR order?

Only doctors can write DNR orders, and they must follow certain protocols to ensure DNR is the clients wishes.

What does full code mean?

The patients consent to receive all possible life saving measures in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

If a patient is unconscious should you always do full code?

True

Siblings that can't agree on certain care for their family members is called what? (ex: brother wants mom to get chemo, sister doesn't want mom to get chemo.)

Ethical dilemma

If client is cognitive challenged does the client need someone to speak on their behalf? Does the family also become your client?

TRUE

What does it mean to be vulnerable?

Someone who is easily taken advantage of

What 6 rights do a patient have?

High quality hospital care, A clean and safe environment, Involvement in your care, Protection of your privacy, Help for preparing you and your family for when you leave the hospital, Help with your bill and filling insurance claims.

Nurses must be competent and confident in everything they do

True

What are examples of blood borne pathogens?

HIV, HEP B, HEP, C

Is the BON (Board of Nursing) there to protect the client public or the client?

The public

What is Evidence Based Practice?

RESEARCH

Can a client refuse TB medication?

No

Why are RN's obligated to report?

To prevent the spread of infections

What is a sentinel event?

Patient safety event that results in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm. (EX: Wrong- site surgery, severe injuries like paralysis or coma from a medication error)