Nurses 'Team Two Case Study Response Fisher'

Team Two Case Study Response Fisher

Do you believe the hospital was intentionally understaffing in this case to save money?

Based on the data presented during the depositions revealing that the facility failed to meet its own staffing standards for 51 of the 59 days prior to the incident, the statement from the staffing supervisor in regards to warnings from administration concerning the costs of scheduling additional nurses, and the documents submitted by the nurses expressing their apprehension that short staffing was creating patient safety concerns, by all appearances, the hospital’s under staffing was financially motivated.

What can hospitals’ put into place to protect patients’ and address family concerns during their loved ones hospitalization?

Reporting chronic understaffing to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the state board of nursing would be an ethical responsibility and the most appropriate course of action.

How does your hospital/work area measure up to their staffing standards?

Emergency departments across the nation are facing high volumes since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. In addition, the ability to recruit and hire experienced emergency nurses has declined. Given this adversity, our emergency department is encountering staffing challenges and is not meeting appropriate staffing ratios. However, the current staffing challenges are not due to lack of support from administration.

Is it ethical/legal for nurses to refuse to provide care and work a shift if they believe it jeopardizes their license?

According to the American Nurses Association a registered nurse may, based on their professional and ethical responsibilities possess the professional privilege to refuse a patient assignment that places patients or themselves at risk for harm (American Nurses Association,