10.13: Nurses' Legal Responsibilities II
Establishing a secure, collaborative nurse-patient relationship is crucial for delivering high-quality care. This relationship, founded on trust, respect, and honesty, enhances the patient's comfort and willingness to share vital health information. For example, a nurse who listens actively and without judgment provides clear information about health conditions and treatment options and respects patient decisions, which builds a trusting relationship.
Communication between nurses and patients must be professional and understandable, avoiding medical jargon to ensure clarity. In addition, nursing care should adhere to established standards of practice to maintain patient safety and effective treatment. For instance, in wound care, nurses follow strict protocols for assessing, cleaning, and dressing wounds, maintaining a sterile environment where appropriate, using appropriate materials, and regularly monitoring for signs of infection or healing.
Compliance with laws such as HIPAA is mandatory for protecting patient information, sharing it only with authorized personnel. Any breach of confidentiality should be promptly reported for corrective action.
The relationship between nurses and other care providers is equally critical. Ethical practice and respect for the expertise and roles of different care providers are necessary. Nurses must report any negligence or misconduct observed in healthcare settings to the appropriate authorities.
Nurses also collaborate with healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive and holistic care. They engage in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss care plans, share insights, and collaborate on treatment strategies, ensuring comprehensive patient care and better outcomes.
Accurate and comprehensive documentation of all interactions with healthcare professionals is essential for continuity of care, legal protection, transparency, and accountability. To uphold safety and integrity within the healthcare setting, nurses must also report any suspected legal or ethical violations, such as unprofessional behavior, abuse, or negligence.
