Politics, Legislation, and Implications to Patient Care
Politics, Legislation, and Implications to Patient Care
Abstract
There are constant changes to laws and legislation regarding patient care and safety. The purpose of this report is to inform the reader of recent and upcoming changes to legislation that may affect nursing care of patients. Research by L. Aiken, et al. and A. Tourangeau, support the need for higher education of registered nurses. Their research proves that patient outcomes are improved when registered nurses carry a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Research conducted by J. Needleman, et al., concluded that reducing the nurse-patient ratio resulted in the patient being at less risk for developing hospital-acquired illnesses as well as a reduced risk of inpatient mortality. The reader will also be informed about the Joint Commission’s protocol for reducing the occurrence of wrong-patient, wrong-site, and wrong-procedure during surgical procedures.
Politics, Legislation, and Implications to Patient Care As the American population ages, healthcare and its resources are in greater demand. As the demand for healthcare increases, the topic of patient safety has become increasingly important. Laws and legislation regarding patient care are changing almost constantly to maintain patient safety while still providing comprehensive patient care. This report will focus on informing the reader of recent and upcoming legislation regarding patient care, what has brought those changes about, and the effects it can have on the healthcare industry and patient care. It is important to stay informed of these changes because it may affect the registered nurses education requirements and scope of practice in the future.
The Joint Commission has maintained reports of sentinel events since January 1995. They define sentinel events as “…an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof. Serious injury specifically includes loss of limb
Abstract
There are constant changes to laws and legislation regarding patient care and safety. The purpose of this report is to inform the reader of recent and upcoming changes to legislation that may affect nursing care of patients. Research by L. Aiken, et al. and A. Tourangeau, support the need for higher education of registered nurses. Their research proves that patient outcomes are improved when registered nurses carry a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Research conducted by J. Needleman, et al., concluded that reducing the nurse-patient ratio resulted in the patient being at less risk for developing hospital-acquired illnesses as well as a reduced risk of inpatient mortality. The reader will also be informed about the Joint Commission’s protocol for reducing the occurrence of wrong-patient, wrong-site, and wrong-procedure during surgical procedures.
Politics, Legislation, and Implications to Patient Care As the American population ages, healthcare and its resources are in greater demand. As the demand for healthcare increases, the topic of patient safety has become increasingly important. Laws and legislation regarding patient care are changing almost constantly to maintain patient safety while still providing comprehensive patient care. This report will focus on informing the reader of recent and upcoming legislation regarding patient care, what has brought those changes about, and the effects it can have on the healthcare industry and patient care. It is important to stay informed of these changes because it may affect the registered nurses education requirements and scope of practice in the future.
The Joint Commission has maintained reports of sentinel events since January 1995. They define sentinel events as “…an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof. Serious injury specifically includes loss of limb
References: (cont.) Tourangeau, A.E., Doran, D.M., McGillis, H.L., O 'Brien P.L., Pringle, D., Tu, J.V., Cranley L.A. (2007). Impact of hospital nursing care on 30-day mortality for acute medical patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 57, 32-44. Trossman, S. (2008). BSN in 10. American Nurse Today, 3(11). Retrieved from http://www.americannursetoday.com/article.aspx?id=5272&fid=5244