It’s easy to point out the wrong in health care. It’s all around us. Despite the brokeness, there are dozens hundreds of processes and moments that do work well. Praise is limited for the on-time surgery with appropriate and accurate “time-outs;” reconciled instrument counts;... Read More
I remember. I remember. 09.11.2001. 09.11.2001 Four planes. Four planes. 2,977 victims. 2,977 victims. I remember. I remember.... Read More
As a runner, I realize the tremendous difference the right pair of shoes makes on my performance as well as my comfort. But as a nurse – what about my patients who are not only living with their disease but... Read More
It was a quintessential plot. It all happened in slow motion. I picked up one of my beautiful, square-cut diamond stud earrings (which I wear all the time), and somehow it escaped my pincher grasp. Three bounces around the sink,... Read More
Preparation. The word hangs in the air. We all know what it means. Time. It takes time to prepare, to prime, whatever it is we are about to do, work on, etc. Time. There is never enough of it, or... Read More
Thousands of people place their lives in the hands of pilots and flight crews daily; the large majority arrive safely and soundly at their destinations. When an airplane crashes, it is breaking news and numerous organizations get involved to learn... Read More
It is amazing how quickly the medication market changes. There are always new drugs to know, drugs we should never use again, new-found indications and contraindications, and so on. Needless to say, an updated drug handbook is essential for every... Read More
This is part seven of the Nursing Research Challenge. The Article: Donaldson, N. & Shapiro, S. (2010). Impact of California mandated acute care hospital nurse staffing ratios: A literature synthesis. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 11(3): 184-201. Big Idea: “California... Read More
This is part six of the Nursing Research Challenge. The Article: Valente, S. (2011). Rapid cycle change projects improve quality of care. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 26(1): 54-60. Big Idea: Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB) is a national... Read More
This is part five of the Nursing Research Challenge. The Article: Trinkoff, A., Johantgen, M., Storr, C., Gurses, A., Liang, Y., & Han, K. (2011). Nurses’ work schedule characteristics, nurse staffing, and patient mortality. Nursing Research, 60(1): 1-8. The Big... Read More