LEGAL/ETHICAL
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
-Scope of practice is defined as limits of nursing practice set forth in state statutes.
-Nurse must function within scope of practice or risk being accused of practicing medicine without a license.
STANDARDS OF NURSING CARE
-Standards of care establish minimum criteria for competent, proficient delivery of nursing care.
-Designed to protect public and used to judge quality of care provided.
-Legal interpretation based on what a reasonably prudent nurse with similar education/experience would do in similar circumstances.
-Clinical practice guidelines and critical pathways are comprehensive interdisciplinary care plans for a specific condition that describe the sequence and timing of interventions that should result in expected client or patient outcomes.
-Purpose is to reduce variation in care mgmt, limit costs of care, and to eval effectiveness of care.
CLIENT/PATIENT SAFETY
-JCAHO, nongovernmental agency audits operation of hospitals/hc facilities, IDs pt safety as impt responsibility of hc providers.
-Pt safety goals are requirements for accreditation.
-Infants and children at higher risk for med errors
-Reasons: med calculations more complex, based on weight, misplaced decimals, required dilution, not FDA approved/researched in children, young children cannot communicate well if having a reaction.
-Limited English proficiency – r/f med error for childbearing women/children.
-Risk exists for errors in interpretation.
INFORMED CONSENT
-Informed consent is a legal concept that protects a person’s right to autonomy and self determination by specifying that no action may be taken without that individual’s prior understanding and freely given consent.
-Person responsible for treatment/procedure (usually Dr) should provide info necessary to obtain informed consent.
-Nurse’s role is to witness client’s signature giving consent.
-Nurse may serve as witness if parents give verbal consent over phone.
-If