The Standard, Winter 2012 - College of Nurses of Ontario

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Featureincident or rationalize away the right thing to do: Theclient must have been challenging. I don’t want to get acolleague in trouble. Reporting what happened will affectmy working relationship with the other nurse. You mightbelieve the incident was isolated, but it is possible that it’shappened in the past, even if you haven’t seen it before.The verbal abuse could be part of a pattern, and yoursupervisor might already be aware of other occurrences.Czerniawski clarifies the situation: “You’re accountablefor addressing the other nurse’s behaviour and for takingaction to protect the client.” To read how nurses candemonstrate accountability in their practice, see thesidebar below.For more information on preventing abuse, see theCollege’s abuse-prevention program, One is One Too Many,at www.cno.org/one.“Minor” error, deeper issuesHow do you protect the client when the harm is onlypotential? For example, a nurse makes a medication errorthat seems so harmless she decides not to do anythingabout it. You learn about the incident. This nurse is afriend and you socialize together outside of the workplace.What do you do?That the error might seem minor is irrelevant,Czerniawski says. According to the Medication, Revised2008 practice document, nurses are accountable forreporting all errors and near misses using formal practicesettingcommunication mechanisms.While the nurse who made the error might feel likeno harm was done and that it’s not worth the effort tomake a report, she is obligated to do so nevertheless. Andby becoming aware of what happened, you are equallyaccountable for ensuring that a report is made. Start bytalking to the nurse. “Discuss why she thought it wasnot important,” suggests McNabb. “Is there a knowledgegap about what’s to be done for medication errors or nearmisses?”Larger systemic issues could be at play, too. Maybe thisisn’t the first time such an error has occurred with thesame medication. That could signify that changes need tobe made to a process, a procedure or labelling. “If it’s notreported, there’s no way the organization can know what’sgoing on and prevent the chance of further errors,” saysCzerniawski.The College does not require or desire employers toreport every medication error, says Puckrin. (Reportingcontinued on page 46Demonstrating accountability■Identify yourself and explain your role to clients.■Provide, facilitate, advocate and promote the best possible care for clients.■Advocate on behalf of clients.■Seek assistance appropriately and in a timely manner.■Share nursing knowledge and expertise with others to meet client needs.■Ensure practice is consistent with the College’s standards of practice and guidelines, as well aslegislation.■Take action when client safety and well-being are compromised.■Maintain competence and don’t perform activities you aren’t competent in.■Take responsibility for errors when they occur and take appropriate action to maintain client safety.■Report to the appropriate authority any health care team member or colleague whose actions orbehaviours toward clients are unsafe or unprofessional, or that indicate physical, verbal or emotionalabuse.■Report sexual abuse of a client by a regulated health professional to the appropriate regulatorycollege, as legislated in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.From Professional Standards, Revised 2002.20 College of Nurses of Ontario the standard winter 2012
getInvolvedBe part of Council!■ Shape the future of nursing practice■ Support nurses in providingquality care■ Participate in decision-making aboutCollege policies and programsto facilitate quality nursing careEmbrace your professionalaccountabilityParticipate innursing regulationSubmit your name to stand for election ornominate a colleague.Nomination forms are included with thisissue of The Standard and are available atwww.cno.org/elections.Nominations are due by Jan. 11, 2013.RNs and RPNs from theCentral Easternelectoral district.Want to learn more about our elections?Visit: www.cno.org/electionsEmail: jhofbauer@cnomail.orgContact: Jenna Hofbauer, Council Affairs CoordinatorTel.: 416 928-0900, ext. 7566Toll-free in Ontario: 1 800 387-5526, ext. 7566RNs from theCentralTorontoelectoral districts.
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The Standard, Winter 2012 - College of Nurses of Ontario

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