As technology in healthcare continues a shift to homecare is inevitable, safety is of utmost importance. Review the most current Patient Safety Goals for homecare found under the NPSG Program Links. Review the 5 NPGS listed for the Home Care option and discuss each one related to how the nurse can ensure they are met. Finally, locate an article that discusses technology and home care and summarize the findings. How will this shift to home care impact your day-to-day nursing practice?
Your initial posting should be at least 400 words in length and utilize at least one scholarly source other than the textbook. Please reply to at least two classmates. Replies to classmates should be at least 200 words in length.
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Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is essential to ensure that students are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to provide quality care and ensure patient safety. As technology continues to usher in a shift towards homecare, it is crucial to review the current Patient Safety Goals for homecare and evaluate how nurses can ensure these goals are met. Additionally, it is necessary to examine how this shift towards homecare will impact the day-to-day practices of nurses and other healthcare providers.
Patient Safety Goals for homecare:
The National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) program aims to improve patient safety in healthcare facilities through the implementation of specific goals. When it comes to homecare, there are five NPGS listed. These goals include:
1. Identify patients correctly:
This goal aims to ensure that healthcare providers accurately identify patients to prevent medication errors, transfusions, and other procedures performed on the wrong patients. Nurses should ensure that patients have identification bands that accurately reflect their identity, and they should verify identities before administering medication or performing any procedures.
2. Treat patients with an infection:
Healthcare providers are responsible for preventing the spread of infections in healthcare facilities, including those in the homecare setting. Nurses should adhere to infection-control protocols and educate patients about infection prevention strategies.
3. Prevent falls and injury:
Fall prevention is critical to ensuring patient safety, especially for older adults. Nurses should assess patients’ fall risk and implement appropriate interventions, including adjusting the environment and teaching patients and caregivers fall prevention strategies.
4. Use medicine safely:
Medication errors can have severe consequences for patients. Nurses should accurately document medication administration and educate patients and caregivers about medication safety, including appropriate dosages and potential side effects.
5. Prevent pressure ulcers:
Patients who are bedridden or immobile are at risk of developing pressure ulcers. Nurses should assess patients for pressure ulcers, implement appropriate interventions, and educate patients and caregivers about pressure ulcer prevention strategies.
Technology and homecare:
The shift towards homecare is being driven by advances in technology, which allow patients to receive care in their homes, saving costs and enhancing convenience. There are several technologies that nurses can use to promote patient safety, including remote monitoring devices, telehealth services, and electronic health records. These technologies can enable nurses to monitor patients’ conditions remotely, communicate with patients and caregivers, and obtain real-time access to patients’ health records.
Impact on day-to-day nursing practice:
The shift towards homecare will impact day-to-day nursing practice, requiring nurses to embrace new technologies and adapt to new care settings. Nurses will need to have strong communication and critical thinking skills, as they will be working more independently, often without direct physician supervision. Additionally, nurses will need to prioritize patient safety, including following infection prevention protocols and assessing and managing falls and pressure ulcers.
Conclusion:
Patient safety is crucial, and nurses play a critical role in ensuring that patients receive quality care. As the shift towards homecare continues, it is necessary to review the current Patient Safety Goals for homecare and evaluate how nurses can ensure these goals are met. Additionally, nurses must embrace new technologies and adapt their practices to ensure that patients receive safe and effective care in the homecare setting.
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