Some Specifics

I would like to begin today's post by saying that, although I mentioned the physicians and some of the nurses at BRMC in my last update, I was remiss in neglecting to mention the other departments that work hard every day to provide good care to their patients.  I can't say enough good things about many of the staff from the laboratory, radiology and environmental services departments.  As a Terry County resident, I appreciate all you do.
I have stated that I support positive changes at an administrative level.  Please allow me to elaborate with some specifics.
First, I believe any real change will need to come from the top down and must be collaborative.  As a nurse, my focus is on patient advocacy.  There are three areas that I will specifically discuss at this time.
1. Medication Safety
I feel there needs to be a focus on prevention of medication errors and a change in the handling of errors, once they have occurred.  There are differing levels of errors and some are data entry errors.  Not all medication errors reach the patient and I am not intending to use scare tactics by mentioning this topic.  Be that as it may, there are better practices, and I want to help bring attention to this in order to promote positive change.
2. Reporting Errors
During my time working for the hospital I noted a cultural shift regarding reporting errors coinciding with the change to the current nursing administration.  I have personal experience, when, as a charge nurse, I reported errors that carried the potential to cause serious harm to patients.  Upon my reporting these errors, I feel I was threatened by the current chief nursing officer when I was told by her, "well, I suppose you better make sure your shift is perfect."  I also reported the same errors to the chief executive officer at that time.  I feel there were no changes instituted, as the same sentiment regarding error reporting was echoed some time later by the house supervisor, as I was informed by him that, "these write-ups have to stop," referring to a write-up of an error submitted by another nurse.  This culture of discouraging nurses from reporting errors needs to change in order to ensure the safest environment for patients.
3. Integrity of Documentation
As I mentioned in a response to a question in an earlier post, there was a policy instituted by nursing administration requiring all nurses to enter physician orders as telephone orders, regardless of the actual method of acquisition.  I am not certain whether this policy is still in place but it speaks to the integrity of practice the current nursing administration promotes.  I hope to be a voice for integrity and positive change.
These are a few specifics that need to be improved upon.  Let me be your voice for change.

Elect Sharina Rodriguez, RN for Hospital Board

* Patient Advocate

* Support Positive Change at an Administrative Level

* A Vote for me is a Vote for the Patients of BRMC