The nurses role in promoting patient rights

Nurses Role in Promoting Patient Rights Nurses Role in Promoting Patient Rights Nurses play a significant role in the care of patients especially in advocacy (Guglielmi et al., 2014). They are often in the best position to act as a link between patient and family and other team members and departments. Nurses intercede in the best interest of the patient and ensure protection and comfort for those unable to communicate (Cole, Wellard & Mummery, 2014). Nurses attend to patients in vulnerable states for sustained periods. They support patient through healthcare decision making and illness trajectory aimed at achieving best outcomes for their autonomy and health. Besides, NDNQI helps nurses to deliver quality services and improve patient safety. Therefore, nurses have the ethical obligation to be an advocate of patient vulnerability in the context of the hierarchical system of healthcare.
Nurses role involve providing information that helps a patient to make significant decisions. Besides, they speak up in support for patients where necessary. The role of nurses in patient engagement boosts the health outcome by improving care delivery. Patients have the right to receive treatment with honor and respect, therefore, nurses help navigate the unfamiliar healthcare system and promote communication among caregivers. They interpret tests, instructions, and procedures in terms the patient can follow and understand (Wood, 2010). Besides, they integrate all aspects of patient’s care and ensure that concerns, standards, and positive outcome of the patient are met. In a scenario at my workplace, a patient failed to know his right for an active care and proper diagnosis. There was a case of a physician undertaking medical malpractice and negligence on a patient (wrong diagnosis). Therefore, I brought up the concern of the organization. The physician was charged, and the patient received the care that he deserved. Besides, NDNQI is significant in enhancing the quality of service of patients. NDNQI prevalence rates for various diseases creates the formation of action plans to eradicate the disease. For instance, NDNQI data on CAUTIs has enhanced its mitigation and reduction levels (Simon, Klaus & Dunton, 2009). Therefore, nurses in conjunction with NDNQI increase patient’s welfare.
References
Cole, C., Wellard, S. & Mummery, J. (2014). Problematising autonomy and advocacy in nursing. Nursing Ethics, 21(5), 576-582. doi: 10. 1177/0969733013511362
Guglielmi, C. L., Stratton, M., Healy, G. B., Shapiro, D., Duffy, W. J., Dean B. L. & Groah, L. K. (2014). The growing role of patient engagement: relationship-based care in a changing health care system. AORN, 99(4), 517-528. doi: 10. 1016/j. aorn. 2014. 02. 007
Simon, M., Klaus, S. F., & Dunton, N. E. (2009). Using NDNQI data to manage CAUTI. Nursing Management, 40 (6), 16-18.
Wood D. (2010). The Nurse’s Role as Patient Advocate. Nursing News. Retrieved June 5, 2015 from http://www. nursezone. com/nursing-news-events/more-news/The-Nurses-Role-as-Patient-Advocate_33962. aspx