Patient Safety and Ethical Issues in High Dependency Unit Nursing Practice

Name
Student ID Number
Module:
NRSG 370 Assessment 3
Topic:
Specialty area
High Dependency Unit
Number of Words

2
Module 1
The role of registered nurses across the clinical field is crucial in the delivery of care.
Registered nurses offer patient-centered care using evidence-based research. They are tasked
with providing the patient with care continuum and support the patient towards achieving the
needed health outcomes. Further, the RN is tasked with leadership in areas of specialty and
coordination of care for the benefit of the patient. Further, in informing clinical expertise, RN
offers assistance to clinicians and practicing students in maintaining professional
development and meeting the set standards for nurses which guides their practice, (Kendall-
Gallergher & Blegen, 2009).
One of the critical issues of safety I experienced at the high dependency unit- HDU
entails the issue of burn out. Burn out has been referred to as prolong exposure to chronic and
interpersonal stress experienced on the job and soften due to excessive usage of work at the
facility, (Burgess, Irvine & Wallymahmed, 2010). Burn out has been referred to as an
occupational hazard not only in the medical nursing field but also various oriented
professions. Nursing burnouts can have an effect on the wellbeing of the worker.
Burnouts at the high dependency units often emanate from work-related stress and these
symptoms have been termed as frequent. Burn out reflect a psychological issue which
response to long-term interpersonal and emotional stressors.
In my practice, experiencing burn out seems to be the challenge to cope, as it was
draining my energy thus affecting my overall well being. This can have are purchase on the
nature of health care quality on my professional care I provide.
Burn out prevalence has been associated with a high workload and time pressure. With
intensive care unit composition, the work load is high and critical care is needed, thus at risks
of experiencing of this effect. In my placement at the high dependency unit, there are several
issues of concern which ouch on the safety of the registered nurse. High dependency units are
often occasioned by high job discrepancies, overload responsibilities, end of life issues and
interpersonal conflicts which affect and lead to high burn out cases, (Szecseny et al., 2011).
Intensive care units often provide support and treatment to critically ill patients.
Registered nurses in this section often have feelings dissatisfaction due to burn out often

3
occasioned by the high workload. Research has shown that this issue often leads to lower job
performance. Registered nurses working at high dependency units and ICU have been shown
to have high prevalence and score high rates in terms of burn rates, (Garland, Roberts &
Graff, 2012).
Burn out in the high dependency unit is associated with reducing and declining quality of
care and lower patient satisfaction, increased incidence of medical errors, high infection rates
and increased 30 days patient mortality rates. Burn out is often attributed to the working
environment which the registered nurse is often exposed to. In ICU faculties, there is elevated
patient morbidity and death occurrence. Further in a more extensive effect, health care
professionals on experience post-traumatic stress disorders which affect their overall work
quality., (all, Azoouly, Embriaco Poncet & Pochard, 2011).
High dependency unit often is characterised by highly stressful environment which has
effects on the safety of the registered nurse and also the health concern for the patient on the
quality of care being provided at. Enhancing nurses knowledge on job satisfaction and
burnout in the nursing profession is key in focusing on patient care quality, nurse staff
turnover, and poor communication, (Verdon, Merlani, Perneger & Ricou, 2008).
Hence as I enter into profession there is a need for me to be cognizant of the eminent
safety factors which can arise at the curse of my workplace. Having adequate skills and
effective coping mechanisms will be essential in my placement service at the high
dependency unit.
Module two
High dependency units often exhibit a high change environment where expensive care is
offered to patients who are critically ill. Ethical issues are more prevalent in these units
especially among the different personnel involved there. Registered nurses at the high
dependency unit thus need to show ethical competency. Critical areas of concern which are
concern range from behavioral issues such as an end of life decision issues, respect,
autonomy and poor communication between the different levels of staffs. Often medical
criteria which play a fundamental role in nursing care revolve around the decision of wrong
or right, or even being faced with conflict which arises from patient care process, (Tapper,
Vercler, Cruze & Sexson, 2010).