WAYS TO PREVENT NEGLIGENCE WHILE ON DUTY

Philippines, Filipinos are tagged in the world as one of the most caring, loving, industrious, patient and passionate professionals in the health care arena. Filipino nurses are renowned for their TLC in caring for their patients,  thus earning high viability and demand in today's health care scene. all over the world especially in the United States and Canada including the United kingdom Filipino nurses gain a reputation as one of the best nurses in the aforementioned countries. but the true story is that, nurses in the Philippines are experiencing all sorts of maltreatments and abuses from other members of the health care team.

"Negligence is the rust of the soul, that corrodes through all her best resolves".  

Owen Feltham 

Negligence is the most painful if not the most derogative allegation for nurse. a word that not only affect the license of the nurse but goes deep into the personal existence of the nurse as a person. it touches the emotion, profession, values and philosophy, even the very reason for looking unto nursing as a calling. as part of the health care team we play vital roles in caring for patients. each team member should learn to respect one another in order to provide quality care. 

Negligent Nurses

Truly not all nurses have the value of duty and accountability. this may be evident in some cases where  nurses are found guilty in a court proceedings. thus a nurse must find it in his/her professional values the importance of accountability in performing daily nursing activities. every day we step into the hospital or place of work, the moment we time-in our arrival and assume the duty of the day, our license is already at stake. its like a big cash price for people just waiting for the nurse to commit mistakes then to be filed cases against. this is the reason why we MUST act to defend our hard-earned license by doing defensive nursing practice. defensive I mean doing each nursing duties thinking first of the possible consequences  and ways on trying to avoid them. doing this could save our license and our asses form malpractice cases and even being accused of negligence.

how to prevent negligence?

1. Proper Documentation: always write every thing important in the course of care for the patient this will save you from being behind bars.
2. Proper endorsement: this is the time that things relevant patient care is not communicated properly. do be careful and be attentive in receiving endorsements.
3. Practice only within the scope of the profession: depending on your country certain legislation in the practice of our profession are available. do read them and learn them well. follow your JOB DESCRIPTION .
4. Be familiar with institutional Policies and Protocol: every institution has it's adopted strategy in taking-on problems that may arise from the day- to- day activities. take time to read them, practice them while you are still in the agency. 
5. Effective Communication: lean the subtle art of communication always be assertive in saying things.