Safety-Related Issues In Nursing Practice

The subject of workplace safety continues to gain importance within the nursing practice as researchers seek new ways of enhancing safety for both patients and practitioners. As the nursing scope of practice expands due to the implementation of recent expert recommendations, the safety liabilities of nurses also increase; consequently, there is a growing need to examine safety-related issues with reference to nursing. The atmosphere of a health care facility and the attitudes of the management and co-workers not only affect the job satisfaction of an employee, but also the safety of patients and caregivers. Evidence indicate a positive correlation between current nursing issues like staffing levels, safety, and mandatory overtime with patient
outcomes, length of stay, and chance of death (Kalisch & Xie, 2014; Laschinger, 2014). The paper evaluates safety on the job as a current issue in the provision of care to vulnerable populations. Additionally, the paper examines the nature and extent of the issue and those it affects: both the health care professionals and target population). Short- and long-term effects of the problem on the target population and the health care system as well as the theoretical frameworks for understanding the existence of the problem are described. A discussion of the ethical issues raised by the problem in the delivery of health care is also included. Nurses have an obligation toensure adherence to safety standards to increase quality of care.
Nature and Extent of Safety on the Job Issues
Most health care professionals have a strong dedication of delivering timely care to patients. However, some professionals, driven by empathy and passion, may risk their own health and safety while at work (Vaismoradi, Jordan, & Kangasniemi, 2015). Safety on the job requires health care professionals to focus on high quality services without compromising their personal health and safety. Physicians and nurses should ensure strict conformity to safety standards when handling patients, dealing with medical supplies, and disposing off medical waste. A just culture, healthy work hours, and not working under fatigue contribute to improved workplace safety (Page, 2004). Notably, some nursing institutions and organizations are running programs to increase workplace safety. As an example, the American Nurses Association launched the Safe Needles Save Lives Campaign to remind nurses of the importance of upholding safety precautions at work.