Nursing Of the Future Safety - Research Paper

Introduction

In every medical institution, it is paramount to ensure that all medical service providers together with the patients are safe and that the environment around them is safe from any risk when in the line of duty. The environment in such an institution may be quite tricky regarding safety, and that's the reason behind strategic safety measures that are put in place. Every hospital or medical institution's management must come up with suitable solutions and policies that ensure the surrounding is harm-free. It is worth noting that patients are prone to falling or getting into injurious contact with the surrounding of a hospital. Such falls often result in significant injury, a loss of independence, extended hospital stays, increased costs, and even fatality. Similarly, it is essential to understand that patients falls are not only concern regarding safety but also have a financial implication to institutions in which they occur (Ford, 2010). Not only patients might succumb to these falls, but also medical personnel as well as visitors. This paper will, therefore, explore two different case studies that put this issue into perspective. Likewise, findings from this study will help any medical nurse on how to develop suitable strategies for avoiding such calamities. This topic is vital in the medical field, only because it promotes a sustainable environment of general healthy-living (Goldsack, 2015). This paper entails a statement of purpose, hypothesis, sample, methods, results, and concluding discussions.

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Statement of Purpose

This paper aims to determine the best strategies to avoid patients' falls in a geriatric psychiatric unit. Similarly, the purpose of this study is to better organizational infrastructure and the capability to identify and address possible solutions for patients at risk for injuries and falls in the geriatric psychiatric unit.

Anticipated Findings

At the end of this study, we will find out that rounding in these institutions has great significance in reducing the prevalence of patient's falls, especially in their state. Similarly, we expect to appreciate the fact that medical doctors and nurses need to be careful and attentive to their clients (Teel et al., 2011). By so doing, both minor and major injuries can be prevented. The setting of the study being a geriatric psychiatric unit, we expect more sophisticated solutions that will ensure the safety of the mentally ill-diagnosed individuals.

Sample

The participants in this study were randomly selected in a geriatric psychiatric unit in a well-known hospital. The study participants also included the unit's staff, administration, clinical assistant nurse, occupational therapists (Teel, C. S., MacIntyre, R. C., Murray, T. A., & Rock, K. Z., 2011). All these participants ranged from the mornings and nights shifts in the schedule.

Method

The study respondents chose a two-hour rounding system rather than the usual one hour rounds. This method was most suitable given the fact that it would be less intrusive for clients with mental related issues. During the series, an ICARE strategy was used when dealing with the individual clients. ICARE is an acronym that stands for, introducing, comforting, asking or assessing, reassuring and environment. In the beginning, the nurse in charge of around would present him/herself to the clients (Ford, B. M., 2010). By introducing themselves, the client would be aware of the rounding procedure and thus reduce their anxiety. Secondly, since these are mentally ill patients, they would be comforted so that they appropriately report their needs. Thirdly, the clients were assessed for any signs and symptoms of anger, anxiety, and depression. Fourth, they were reassured and reoriented depending on their different levels of cognition. Finally, the physical environment was put in order before the nurse exits his or her round. In this stage, the nurse eliminated all clutter, wiping all spills on the floor, ensuring all alarms are active, as well as leaving the light with enough lighting. Data was collected through a survey of the patients in response to the rounds.

Results

The results of this rounding program showed a significant positive impact, not only patient's safety but also to the satisfaction of staff at the unit. After the rounding system, there was a recorded 70 percent drop in the patient's falls, in the beginning, three months. Similarly, this program revealed an increase in staff satisfaction linked to the clinician's positive evaluations (Woodard, J. L., 2009). Similarly, the clinicians responded that they were satisfied as they had an opportunity to attend to all the patients' needs.

Discussion

Based on the results of the study, we find out that rounding system has positive effects in the nursing and general medical profession. An efficient rounding system promotes a safer physical environment for all patients and consequently reducing possible falls and injuries. Findings from this study are essential in enlightening nurses, clinicians, and medical doctors who wish to improve their clients' satisfaction, as well as to ensure their clients are in a safe environment. As earlier mentioned in the introduction, the setting of a geriatric psychiatric unit is quite tricky given that the patients have mental disorders. Such a system of constant checking on the patients will help in promoting a safer and efficient medical environment (Paquet, M., Courcy, F., LavoieTremblay, M., Gagnon, S., & Maillet, S., 2013).

Conclusion

In conclusion, hospital rounds are an essential aspect of promoting a safe environment, not only to the patients but also the caregivers. Every healthcare institution should adopt this system with the aim of improving healthy persons. This topic is vital in the medical field, only because it promotes a sustainable environment of general healthy-living (Goldsack, 2015).

References

Ford, B. M. (2010). Hourly rounding: a strategy to improve patient satisfaction Teel, C. S., MacIntyre, R. C., Murray, T. A., & Rock, K. Z. (2011scores. Medsurg Nursing, 19(3), 188-192.

Goldsack, J., Bergey, M., Mascioli, S., & Cunningham, J. (2015). Hourly rounding and patient falls: what factors boost success?. Nursing2018, 45(2), 25-30.

Paquet, M., Courcy, F., LavoieTremblay, M., Gagnon, S., & Maillet, S. (2013). Psychosocial work environment and prediction of quality of care indicators in one Canadian health center. Worldviews on EvidenceBased Nursing, 10(2), 82-94.

Teel, C. S., MacIntyre, R. C., Murray, T. A., & Rock, K. Z. (2011). Common themes in clinical education partnerships. Journal of nursing education, 50(7), 365-372.

Woodard, J. L. (2009). Effects of rounding on patient satisfaction and patient safety on a medical-surgical unit. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 23(4), 200-206.