Posts Topic 5 DQ 2 Nurses Are Responsible For Delivering Opt

Postsre Topic 5 Dq 2nurses Areresponsible Fordelivering Optimal P

Post discussing the responsibility of nurses in delivering optimal patient-centered care, emphasizing the importance of advocacy. Highlights the role of nurses as communicators, liaisons, educators, interpreters, and caregivers according to "Critical Care: The Role of Nurses as Patient Advocates" (2016). Includes an anecdote about a nurse recognizing critical patient deterioration and advocating for urgent intervention by calling an RRT after insufficient action from the attending physician. Demonstrates the ethical and professional obligation of nurses to prioritize patient safety, even when facing resistance from other healthcare team members. The story illustrates how effective advocacy can prevent serious adverse events like cardiac arrest, reinforcing the necessity for proactive and confident nursing interventions in critical care settings.

Paper For Above instruction

The role of nurses as patient advocates is fundamental to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Nurses are often positioned at the front lines of healthcare, where they serve not only as caregivers but also as advocates for their patients' well-being. This advocacy role encompasses effective communication, liaison duties, education, interpretation of medical information, and compassionate caregiving. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA, 2015), advocating for patients involves safeguarding their rights, ensuring safe and effective care, and intervening when their needs are not being met. This responsibility becomes especially critical when patients are unable to advocate for themselves due to age, illness, or diminished consciousness, placing a moral and professional obligation on nurses to act in their best interests.

Empirical evidence supports the importance of nurse advocacy in improving patient outcomes. For example, Spuhler (2014) emphasizes that advocacy can prevent medical errors, reduce adverse events, and promote patient safety. The story of a nurse who recognized vital signs deviations in a patient and escalated care by calling a Rapid Response Team (RRT) exemplifies effective advocacy. Despite initial resistance from the attending physician, the nurse’s insistence led to timely intervention, which likely prevented a cardiac arrest. Such instances highlight the ethical commitment of nurses to prioritize patient safety over hierarchical barriers within healthcare teams.

Effective advocacy is rooted in a strong understanding of professional scope and ethical principles. The American Nurses Association's Code of Ethics (2015) stipulates that nurses have a duty to prioritize patient health and safety, act with integrity, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals. Advocating for patients also involves educating them about their condition and care plan, which can empower them to participate actively in decision-making. This promotes autonomy and respects individual rights, aligning with the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, and respect for persons (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013).

Interdisciplinary collaboration is integral to effective advocacy. The case example illustrates that nurses must often navigate complex team dynamics, especially when facing disagreements or resistance. Calling an RRT was a decisive action grounded in nurse-led advocacy, demonstrating the importance of assertiveness and clinical judgment. Research by McGillis Hall and Doran (2016) underscores that a proactive nursing workforce is crucial in recognizing early signs of deterioration and advocating promptly for such patients. Thus, nurses' advocacy is not merely a moral obligation but a professional competency that requires critical thinking, confidence, and ethical conviction.

The challenges nurses face as advocates include hierarchical barriers, time constraints, and potential conflicts within medical teams. Nonetheless, maintaining patient safety and promoting optimal care outcomes necessitates overcoming these obstacles. Continuous education and institutional support are vital in empowering nurses to advocate effectively. Policies that recognize and reinforce nursing authority in clinical judgment are essential for fostering a culture where advocacy is valued and encouraged (Mabury et al., 2019).

In conclusion, nurses have an essential responsibility to deliver patient-centered care that emphasizes advocacy, safety, and ethical practice. Their role as advocates is vital in ensuring timely interventions, safeguarding patient rights, and promoting positive health outcomes. Case examples serve as powerful testimonies to the importance of assertiveness and professional integrity in nursing. By strengthening their advocacy skills through education, confidence, and organizational support, nurses can significantly influence patient safety and the overall quality of healthcare delivery.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Mabury, S., Snyder, S., & Lee, S. (2019). Empowering nurses for effective advocacy: Strategies and challenges. Journal of Nursing Management, 27(5), 1024-1032.
• McGillis Hall, L., & Doran, D. (2016). Nursing leadership and advocacy in critical care. Nursing Leadership, 29(4), 23-33.
• Spuhler, A. (2014). The impact of nurse advocacy on patient safety. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 23(15-16), 2276-2283.
• "Critical Care: The Role of Nurses as Patient Advocates." (2016). Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 31(2), 123-129.
• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
• Health Quality Ontario. (2013). Recognizing early deterioration: Improving patient safety through nursing advocacy. HQO Report.
• Odonkor, S. T. (2019). Nursing advocacy and ethical considerations in clinical practice. International Journal of Nursing, 6(2), 45-52.
• World Health Organization. (2016). Patient safety and advocacy strategies. WHO Publications.