Activity: Students will be working to complete the clinical judgment template for the following video
scenario.
Watch the video
Answer these questions:
What barriers to care did the patient and family experience?
What safety concerns did you observe, and what potential strategies can be used to reduce the risk of harm related to those concerns?
What is your role as a nurse in error prevention?
How can nurses collaborate with others to prevent errors?
What role does technology play in the quality and safety of patient care?
Complete the template
Complete the case study on clinical judgment
- Barriers to care that the patient and family might experience:
- Financial constraints: High costs of treatment or lack of insurance coverage can limit access to necessary services.
- Cultural and language barriers: These can affect communication between healthcare providers and the patient or family, leading to misunderstandings and inadequate care.
- Transportation issues: Difficulty in accessing reliable transportation can affect the patient’s ability to attend appointments or receive timely care.
- Lack of knowledge: A limited understanding of the healthcare system or the medical condition can hinder the patient’s or family’s ability to seek or follow through with appropriate care.
- Safety concerns and potential strategies:
- Medication errors: Implement double-check systems and use technology for cross-verifications to minimize the risk.
- Infection risks: Strict adherence to hygiene and sanitation protocols, including handwashing and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Fall risks for patients: Ensuring that fall prevention measures are in place, like non-slip mats and proper bed rail use.
- Communication errors: Using clear, structured communication tools like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) during handovers.
- Role as a nurse in error prevention:
- Vigilance and adherence to protocols: Always follow established safety protocols and guidelines.
- Education: Continually educate yourself on best practices and participate in training sessions.
- Advocacy: Advocate for the patient’s safety and well-being by ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to prevent errors.
- Collaboration to prevent errors:
- Interdisciplinary teamwork: Work closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care and double-checking of critical processes.
- Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with all members of the healthcare team, including pharmacists, doctors, and support staff.
- Feedback and reporting: Encourage a culture of transparency where errors are reported and discussed openly to learn from them and improve practices.
- Role of technology in quality and safety of patient care:
- Electronic health records (EHRs): Improve the accuracy of patient data and facilitate faster access to patient information.
- Medication management systems: Use automated dispensers to reduce medication errors.
- Telehealth: Expands access to care, particularly for patients in remote areas or those who have mobility issues.
- Decision support systems: Provide healthcare professionals with guidance based on the latest evidence and patient-specific information to support clinical decisions.t.