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9 - Witnessing and making mistakes

Kim Atkins ,
Sheryl de Lacey  and
Bonnie Britton
Kim Atkins
Affiliation:
University of Tasmania
Sheryl de Lacey
Affiliation:
Flinders University of South Australia
Bonnie Britton
Affiliation:
University of Tasmania
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Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

In this chapter, you will:

  • Understand the nature of professional self-respect and its connection to trustworthiness

  • Understand the nature of trust and its role in the clinical relationship

  • Understand the factors that lead to clinical errors and incidents

  • Understand some factors that influence nurses’ decisions about reporting errors

  • Understand Open Disclosure policy

Apari had been caring for a diabetic man, Jack, whose blood glucose levels had been difficult to regulate. One day they would be high, the next day they would be low. By chance one day Apari saw that a new nurse, Louise, was using the glucometer incorrectly to test Jack's blood glucose. Apari checked Jack's notes and realised that Louise had been recording incorrect blood glucose levels for several days.

Just like everyone else, nurses sometimes make mistakes that can result in harm to others. The ANMC Code of Professional Conduct (2008b) makes a number of statements regarding safe conduct – for example:

Conduct Statement 1: Nurses practise in a safe and competent manner.

Conduct Statement 2: Nurses practise in accordance with the standards of the profession and broader health system.

Conduct Statement 3: Nurses practise and conduct themselves in accordance with laws relevant to the profession and practice of nursing.

The ANMC Code of Ethics (2008a) also refers to safe conduct:

Value Statement 1: Nurses value quality nursing care for all people.

Value Statement 6: Nurses value a culture of safety in nursing and health care.

Type
Chapter
Information
Ethics and Law for Australian Nurses , pp. 195 - 220
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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