Full Answer Section

Patient Safety

Patient safety is a top priority for nurses. The ethics code states that nurses have a duty to protect their patients from harm. This includes taking steps to prevent medical errors and ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

Element of the ethics code: Beneficence

Informed Consent

Informed consent is the process of providing patients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their care. The ethics code states that nurses have a duty to respect patients’ autonomy and to obtain their informed consent before performing any procedures.

Element of the ethics code: Autonomy

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is the protection of patients’ personal information. The ethics code states that nurses have a duty to respect patients’ privacy and to keep their information confidential.

Element of the ethics code: Confidentiality

How to Consult to Change Policy to Protect the Public

If you are concerned about a policy that may be putting the public at risk, you can consult with your supervisor, the relevant professional organization, or the government agency responsible for the policy.

Here are some tips for consulting to change policy to protect the public:

• Be prepared: Gather evidence to support your claim that the policy is putting the public at risk. This could include data on patient safety incidents, case studies, or expert opinions.
• Be professional: Be respectful and professional in your communication with others. Avoid using personal attacks or emotional language.
• Be specific: Be specific about the changes you want to see to the policy. What specific risks are you trying to mitigate? What specific changes would make the policy safer for the public?
• Be willing to compromise: It is unlikely that you will be able to get everything you want. Be willing to compromise in order to reach an agreement that will improve the policy and protect the public.

If you are unable to get the policy changed through consultation, you may need to take further action, such as filing a complaint with a regulatory body or pursuing legal action.

Examples of How Nurses Have Successfully Changed Policy

Here are a few examples of how nurses have successfully changed policy to protect the public:

• Nurses in the United States successfully advocated for a law requiring hospitals to report patient safety incidents to the government. This law has helped to improve patient safety by identifying areas where hospitals need to make changes.
• Nurses in Canada successfully advocated for a law requiring hospitals to have registered nurses on staff 24/7. This law has helped to ensure that patients have access to qualified nurses at all times.
• Nurses in the United Kingdom successfully advocated for a law requiring doctors to prescribe antibiotics more carefully. This law has helped to reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Conclusion

Nurses have a responsibility to advocate for patient safety and to protect the public. They can do this by consulting to change policy, by filing complaints with regulatory bodies, or by pursuing legal action.