Patient Safety: Achieving a New Standard for Care, Annotated Bibliography Example

Introduction

Nursing practice requires a professional approach to problem solving that facilitates new ideas and strategies to improve quality of care for all patients. Furthermore, nurses in a variety of positions must be able to utilize their strengths in order to improve their skills and knowledge within the field. This process requires nurses to assume new responsibilities and to be effective communicators in an effort to encourage new opportunities to expand the field and its role in modern healthcare systems. Two concepts worthy of further consideration are cultural awareness and competence in the nursing profession and nursing leadership principles, including transformative leadership and its impact on achieving patient safety goals. These topics will be discussed in detail in the following paragraphs, using an annotated bibliography format to identify literature sources that are relevant to these subject areas and that expand knowledge regarding the nursing profession in different ways.

Annotated Bibliography

An article by Kirmayer (2012) addresses the significance of developing culturally competent ideals in the nursing work environment. This process is best accomplished by adopting a strategy in which cultural diversity must remain a key priority for the nursing profession at all times (Kirmayer, 2012). Within this context, it is important to identify specific resources that are required for some cultures where health disparities may exist, particularly those who have limited access to healthcare resources (Kirmayer, 2012). In the mental health field, there are particularly challenging issues to consider that have a significant impact on the profession and that contribute to significant issues that patients often face if they are from cultures that are less familiar to nurses (Kirmayer, 2012). These factors contribute to the different perspectives that nurses must acquire in order to be effective communicators with their patients and to recognize the importance of acclimating towards different ideas and cultures in this manner (Kirmayer, 2012). A concept known as ethnic matching is introduced in the article as a means of potentially improving the understanding of different perspectives as they relate to improving the quality of care that patients from different cultures receive (Kirmayer, 2012). This process is instrumental in enabling patients, particularly those requiring mental health services, to be treated with a modicum of dignity and respect that is grounded in cultural awareness and understanding of the different principles that impact their care and treatment (Kirmayer, 2012). This article provides important information regarding the role of cultural competency in mental health services, which is an often neglected field that requires further attention and focus form the nursing practice environment and its key leaders.

A white paper by the Institute of Medicine (2014) addresses the importance of patient safety and how it impacts the role that nurses play in promoting greater quality of care for patients. This process requires nurses to be proactive advocates of nursing and healthcare information that will be instrumental in enabling patients to receive high quality care and treatment at all times (Institute of Medicine, 2014). Furthermore, this process requires nurses to actively participate in a variety of programs that utilize electronic health records and adherence to quality-based standards in order to accomplish the chosen objectives (Institute of Medicine, 2014). Each organization must develop and perfect its infrastructure as a means of improving patient care quality and in meeting all required regulations at the organizational, state, and federal levels (Institute of Medicine, 2014). From a national perspective, there is a critical need to advance and hone standards that will be effective in improving patient care quality at the nursing level through the development of new strategies that will support and recognize the value of nursing-based solutions in achieving the desired outcomes (Institute of Medicine, 2014). This white paper provides a basis for exploring patient safety through a variety of programs that are designed to encourage the improvement of patient care quality and to be effective in treating patients through healthcare programs that are cohesive and appropriate in meeting the needs of patients (Institute of Medicine, 2014). The process of developing a strategy to improve patient care quality requires continuous input from nurses and to demonstrate the importance of standardized documentation and data entry for patients so that patterns may be identified that will have a positive impact on patient care quality (Institute of Medicine, 2014). This white paper represents a means of developing new ideas that support nursing input regarding the needs of the patient population and in enhancing quality of care through different strategies to address standardized data entry procedures to promote consistency in patient care across a variety of settings (Institute of Medicine, 2014).

A chapter written by Hughes (2008) for Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based

Handbook for Nurses considers the role of nurses in achieving high quality patient care on a consistent basis. This practice requires nurses to be proactive in meeting the goals and objectives that have been established for them, while also applying professional knowledge within the nursing environment in order to meet these objectives (Hughes, 2008). Nurses must remain continuously focused and supportive of the needs of their patients, while also recognizing the contributions that nurses make with respect to patient care quality and treatment over time (Hughes, 2008). This process is important because it reflects a means of examining nurses’ activities and decision-making capabilities as part of a larger framework for success that enhances nurses’ roles and responsibilities in the workplace setting in an effective manner (Hughes, 2008). These efforts are well-recognized by the Institute of Medicine and demonstrate the importance of improving quality of care through system redesign and upgrades as necessary (Hughes, 2008). The process of developing these factors is a learning experience for nurses and provides them with opportunities to expand their knowledge and to be proactive in expanding patient care quality through effective decision-making (Hughes, 2008). It is important to identify some of the resources that are essential in supporting and framing a successful practice environment by using the resources and tools that are available (Hughes, 2008). This is an important step towards the discovery of new challenges that require nurses to exercise emotional intelligence in order to accomplish the chosen objectives (Hughes, 2008). These practices support the development of new ideas that impact nurses in a positive manner, in addition to their patients, many of whom require specific forms of care and treatment for which quality cannot be compromised under any circumstances (Hughes, 2008). This chapter is useful because it represents a means of examining how nurses contribute to the practice setting through their actions, as well as their decision-making capabilities, both of which contribute to a successful team-based environment (Hughes, 2008).

The Joint Commission has established its primary patient safety goals for 2014, which are directly impacted by the work that nurses perform. These goals and objectives address a number of primary areas that impact nursing practice and the ability to promote patient safety for all persons requiring healthcare services. The organization has established a number of key areas to consider, such as ambulatory health care, home care, behavioral health, and hospital-based services, among others (The Joint Commission, 2014). These patient safety goals are important because they represent a means of examining the different areas where healthcare requires a cohesive and appropriate combination of factors in order to improve the care and treatment that patients receive on a regular basis (The Joint Commission, 2014). It is also important to consider the different aspects of care and treatment that may be subject to poor quality in order to alleviate some of these concerns and to recognize the value of shaping patient care quality through national standards (The Joint Commission, 2014). There are considerable efforts required by The Joint Commission in order to accomplish the chosen objectives, while also addressing the value of these efforts in enabling floor nurses in organizations throughout the United States to share a set of common goals and objectives and to be effective in communicating these goals to other nurses (The Joint Commission, 2010).

A book by Apsden, Corrigan, Wolcott, & Erickson (2008) evaluates the significance of promoting change through nursing practice, addressing key barriers along the way that impact nursing care quality. This strategy requires nurses to be proactive in their efforts to promote change throughout the nursing profession and to be effective communicators of change and progress over time (Apsden et.al, 2008). It is important for nurses to better understand their roles and responsibilities in nursing practice and to demonstrate their ability to improve patient safety through their actions and decision-making capabilities (Apsden et.al, 2008). Under these conditions, it is likely that organizations will take the steps that are necessary to train their nurses and to recognize the value of expanded education to promote greater patient safety within the nursing profession (Apsden et.al, 2008). This article supports the continued development of new ideas and strategies to improve patient safety and patient care quality through the decisions that nurses make to accomplish the desired objectives in this area. It is expected that nurses with high levels of knowledge and experience will be most affected by change and will work effectively to accomplish different objectives to improve the lives of their patients in a variety of healthcare settings.

An article by Dudas (2012) considers the relevance of cultural competency by using an approach known as evolutionary concept analysis. This process is designed to evaluate a concept using key words in a historical context and to determine how cultural competence is represented in nursing practice in different ways that enable nurses to recognize their responsibility to patients and their individual cultures (Dudas, 2012). The concept analysis determined that three primary concepts are relevant to cultural competence in nursing practice, including attitudes, awareness, and behaviors, all of which are important contributors to the improvement of education in order to achieve successful outcomes for nurses in working with patients from different cultures on a continuous basis (Dudas, 2012). The use of concept analysis is an important tool for nursing research because many subject areas require significant attention and focus in order to assess their value and contribution to the nursing profession (Dudas, 2012). This tool requires further consideration and evaluation because it represents an opportunity to examine the different constructs of patient care and wellbeing that are directly impacted by nurses’ cultural competence and its impact on the practice setting.

An article by Douglas et.al (2011) addresses the importance of developing the practice setting through culturally competent care and treatment throughout the nursing profession. Most importantly, it is necessary to address the challenges of culturally competent nursing care that currently exist, and to determine the best possible methods of creating standards that are universally accepted in regards to nursing practice (Douglas et.al, 2011). From this perspective, all individuals, regardless of culture, possess the right and privilege to participate in and receive culturally competent care and treatment at all times, given the issues that are most relevant to nurses and that demonstrate a high level of support and understanding for the profession and its primary role in patient care (Douglas et.al, 2011). The provision of culturally competent care is instrumental in shaping outcomes for nurses and for patients and in determining how to best move forward to create an environment that is conducive to high quality patient care on a continuous basis (Douglas et.al, 2011). From this perspective, it is important to identify educational opportunities to provide culturally competent care to nurses at all times, particularly when they represent a means of understanding different cultures and their preferred customs and preferences (Douglas et.al, 2011). Specific standards, such as advocating for and empowering patients, as well as evidence-based practice, are some of the key factors associated with achieving culturally competent care that will be effective in supporting the demands of the nursing work environment and the opportunities that are available to support effective and open communication and dialogue at all times (Douglas et.al, 2011). These factors are important because they offer a means of enabling nurses to work successfully with individuals from a variety of different cultures, both as fellow nurses and within the patient population through support, communication, and advocacy for all persons who are exposed to the profession (Douglas et.al, 2011). This article summarizes some of the most important culturally competent principles that drive the nursing profession and in enhancing the quality of care that patients receive in these environments.

An article by Curtis, de Vries, & Sheerin (2011) addresses the importance of developing nursing-based leadership skills that will have a significant impact on practice objectives. This process supports the development of a new set of objectives that support effective leadership, while also considering other factors that promote greater improvements in leadership skills over time (Curtis et.al, 2011). From this perspective, it is important to identify a model under which nursing-based leadership might be successful through the use of strategies to address leadership in a positive context, rather than in a negative manner (Curtis et.al, 2011). Nursing leadership is somewhat intimidating; therefore, it requires a high level of support and understanding of how leadership education is significant in this process and in shaping the potential outcomes that might be observed within the work environment (Curtis et.al, 2011). Leadership throughout nursing practice is an important necessity in order to enable nurses to have a greater voice within the practice setting and to be effective communicators of change to support success within the profession (Curtis et.al, 2011). Nurses must be effectively prepared to assume leadership positions through their education and training, both of which may not easily translate to the chosen practice environment; therefore, additional methods must be a considered that will encourage nurses to embrace leadership training and guidance in order to promote the improvement of the nursing work environment on a continuous basis (Curtis et.al, 2011). This article represents a means of expanding knowledge and in supporting the demands of the nursing profession by using leadership as a guide in this process and in improving patient care quality.

An article by Fairman, Rowe, Hassmiller, & Shalala (2011) addresses the significance of developing new strategies that are designed to improve the practice environment through an expanded scope and a greater understanding of primary care. In the modern era, nurses must be able to effectively communicate and share ideas regarding a wide variety of issues, including but not limited to improving patient care quality on a continuous basis (Fairman et.al, 2011). To be specific, nurses must be active participants in primary care objectives because these needs ultimately contribute to the specific factors that have a greater impact on patient care quality (Fairman et.al, 2011). Nurses must continue to expand the practice setting in order to accommodate a variety of individuals and to be effective in communicating the needs of organizations through professional development and exposure to a variety of conditions that are standard in healthcare practice (Fairman et.al, 2011). These alternatives also encourage nurses to communicate with each other and to take the steps that are required to facilitate growth and change within the practice setting, while also recognizing where continuous improvement is necessary (Fairman et.al, 2011). This process requires nurses to advance their leadership skills and training whenever possible in order to accomplish a series of objectives that will directly contribute to improved quality of care, while also considering other factors that will impact the practice setting in a positive manner over time (Fairman et.al, 2011). This article considers the impact of primary care and how it plays an important role in nursing practice in the modern era, given the ever-increasing focus on this area and on the ability to promote disease prevention and improved health and wellbeing within the patient population. Therefore, it is important to identify specific areas where primary care might be instrumental in expanding nursing-based knowledge within the practice setting.

An article by Dyess & Sherman (2011) considers the significance of developing new strategies to improve enable new nurse graduates to obtain skills that will support their future leadership endeavors. This article supports the strong belief that nurses require an ongoing level of support to promote greater change within the healthcare system within these roles (Dyess & Sherman, 2011). This process is instrumental because it requires nurses to be directly involved in the problem-solving process and in promoting change at all levels of healthcare, particularly since there are significant challenges that the system faces today for which solutions have yet to be identified (Dyess & Sherman, 2011). Nurses must demonstrate their ability to be effective leaders and to recognize the potential of their colleagues to stimulate change and progress through the nursing profession (Dyess & Sherman, 2011). These factors support the creation of new ideas and approaches to enable new nurse graduates and even nursing students to acquire the skills and resources that are necessary to achieve change within the nursing environment (Dyess & Sherman, 2011). It is important to identify the resources that are necessary to ensure that nurses possess a true voice within the profession and are able to lead any efforts to promote change as necessary to improve the practice setting and the quality of care that patients receive (Dyess & Sherman, 2011). This article supports the need to expand knowledge and leadership capabilities for nurses because they must become experts in the field in order to improve the practice environment and improve patient care quality through active and effective decision-making within these roles. This process is instrumental in expanding the profession and in supporting the growth of the practice setting.

Conclusion

Within the nursing practice setting, it is important to identify the resources that are required to ensure that patient care is appropriate and of the highest possible quality at all times. This is accomplished through a series of strategies across the continuum of nursing that support effective leadership, quality-based initiatives, cultural competency, and other factors that are designed to improve the practice setting in a variety of ways. These factors introduce new possibilities for nurses so that they are able to actively contribute to the practice environment through their knowledge and experience across different areas. This process is designed to improve outcomes and to shape the context of the practice setting in a manner that is consistent with the primary objectives of nursing care and treatment that apply to all patients. The chosen literature sources provide a framework for the discovery of new ideas that have a potentially significant impact on nurses and on their ability to be successful in meeting the needs of their patients at all times. These resources also support the continued expansion of efforts to stimulate change and progress within the nursing profession that is grounded in strategic needs and objectives across a variety of areas. This process encourages nurses to actively participate in these endeavors and to be recognized for their contributions to the nursing practice environment on a continuous basis.

References

Aspden, P., Corrigan, J.M., Wolcott, J., & Erickson, S.M. (2014). Patient Safety: Achieving a New Standard for Care. Retrieved from http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309090776

Curtis, E. A., de Vries, J., & Sheerin, F. K. (2011). Developing leadership in nursing: exploring core factors. British Journal of Nursing, 20(5), 306.

Douglas, M. K., Pierce, J. U., Rosenkoetter, M., Pacquiao, D., Callister, L. C., Hattar-Pollara, M., … & Purnell, L. (2011). Standards of practice for culturally competent nursing care: 2011 update. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 22(4), 317.

Dudas, K. I. (2012). Cultural competence: An evolutionary concept analysis. Nursing education perspectives, 33(5), 317-321.

Dyess, S., & Sherman, R. (2011). Developing the leadership skills of new graduates to influence practice environments: a novice nurse leadership program. Nursing administration quarterly, 35(4), 313-322.

EDGREN, S. K., Cason, C. L., BRENNAN, A. M. W., Reifsnider, E., Hummel, F., Mancini, M., & Griffin, C. (2010). Cultural competency of graduating BSN nursing students. Nursing education perspectives, 31(5), 278-285.

Fairman, J. A., Rowe, J. W., Hassmiller, S., & Shalala, D. E. (2011). Broadening the scope of nursing practice. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(3), 193-196.

Hughes, R.G. (2008). Chapter 2: nurses at the “sharp end” of patient care. From Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses.

Institute of Medicine (2014). The future of nursing: leading change, advancing health. Retrieved from http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12956

The Joint Commission (2014). 2014 National Patient Safety Goals. Retrieved from http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/npsgs.aspx

Kirmayer, L. (2012). Rethinking cultural competence. Transcultural psychiatry, 49(2), 149.