Staffing and resource adequacy strongly related to RNs’ assessment of patient safety: a national study of RNs working in acute-care hospitals in Sweden

Source:  BMJ Quality & Safety 2013 Oct 14. [Epub ahead of print]

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Date of publication:  October 2013

Publication type:  Journal article

In a nutshell:  This study sought to provide evidence on how registered nurses (RNs) assess the safety of patient care at their workplace and how factors in RNs’ work environment are related to their assessments. Previous research has emphasised patient-to-nurse ratios in strengthening patient safety practices and this study complements this by emphasising RNs’ own perception of having enough staff and resources to provide quality nursing care.

Length of Publication:  1 web page

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Interest grows in new approach to measuring patient safety

Source:  Nursing Times

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Date of publication:  June 2013

Publication type:  News item

In a nutshell:

In an interview with the Nursing Times, the new national director for patient safety, Mike Durkin, has said that frontline nurses and healthcare professionals should have more responsibility for ensuring the services they provide are safe. He has taken up the role of director of patient safety in the chief nursing officer’s directorate at NHS England following the NHS reforms. Dr Durkin said all staff working in a healthcare environment should see themselves as healthcare professionals, whether they have clinical training or not, and take responsibility for making sure care is safe.

Length of Publication:  1 web page

Administration of medicines – the nurse role in ensuring patient safety.

Source:  Br J Nurs. Vol/iss 22/1 pp. 32-5

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Date of publication:  January 2013

Publication type:  Journal article

In a nutshell:  The importance of drug administration and some of the key legislation that relates to it is explored in this paper. The responsibility of qualified nurses and student nurses in this area is discussed. The authors look at the concept of informed consent and what that means in the health care setting. The importance of the safe administration of medicines to patients is emphasised.

Length of Publication:  4 pages

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Nurse leadership and patient safety

Source: BMJ News and Articles

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Date of publication: August 2012

Publication type:  News item

In a nutshell:  After increasing concern about the quality of patient care in the NHS, the UK government has called for improved nurse leadership and ward management. The Royal College of Nursing’s response higlighted the experience ward sisters already have which can provide expert leadership to the team, and that they should be equipped to supervise and develop the wider workforce. This response highlights the point that safer care for patients for more local ownership of local problems and the need for effective leadership at all levels of the organisation, rather than shows statements from government .

Some important notes:  This article is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens, for more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library