Question

In 120 words why is culture of safety important in nursing

Answer 1

Culture of safety is important for the sake of the patient as well as the nursing practitioner.

For the patient, it ensures that the correct treatments are provided and that iartogenic injuries are avoided. This leads to better morbidity and mortality outcomes. Proper identification of the patient,confirmation of identity, checking of order sheet and cross checking before administration of therapy, verifying labels of medications before administartion, confirmation of expiry date, proper precautions while administration of therapy, ensuring safety from falls and injuries etc. corform to the basic provision of health care.

For the nursing practitioner, maintaing standard of care (universal precautions) ensures protection against contagious illness. Practicing standard of care also ensures safety from the perpective of medicolegal issues as well.