A Look to the Literature: Challenges for Creation of Cultures of Safety

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-30-2020

Publication Title

Journal of Comprehensive Nursing Research and Care

Abstract

Aim: The aim is to raise awareness of the evidence of issues and interventions for creation of a culture of safety. Challenges remain with medication errors impacting safety as the third leading cause of death in the United States (US) and hand hygiene is significant in prevention of hospital acquired infection (HAI). Hand off communication (HC) is crucial for safe care. Background: There is a lack of accountability reported with the Joint Commission reporting safety measures caregiver compliance is only 47% (JCCTH, 2015). Medication errors lead to more than 7000 patient deaths annually in the US costing $2,000 - $8,750 per error. While 721,800 HAI occur in the United States (US) with cost exceeding 9 billion dollars annually. Evaluations The authors identify potential areas of individual caregiver noncompliance followed with organizational leadership interventions supported in the literature to promote creation of safe cultures. Evaluation: The authors identify potential areas of individual caregiver noncompliance followed with organizational leadership interventions supported in the literature to promote creation of safe cultures. Key Issues: The literature reveals caregiver noncompliance with lack of accountability for adherence to policies as a key issue. Conclusions: After a thorough review of current nursing literature, evidence exist supporting health care organizations difficulty to create organizational structures conducive to cultures of safety related to medication errors, hand hygiene and hand-off communication. Implications of Nursing Management: Nurse leaders have the responsibility to provide care givers the structure supporting the provision of safe care while balancing care giver accountability with support for processes promoting correctional behaviors.

Department

Nursing


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