Addressing a Non-Compliance Issue in IV Therapy: Mrs. Escarez’s Course of Action

QUESTION

In another patient’s chart, Mrs. Escarez observes that the staff nurse has started the IV fluid infusion as ordered by the attending physician. However, she knows very well that this staff nurse has not yet complied with the IV therapy training as required by the hospital. Mrs. Escarez should first: Report the incident immediately to the Chief Nurse. Call the staff nurse and ask her to explain the incident. Request transfer of the staff nurse to another department. Approach the staff nurse and reprimand her about her action.

ANSWER

Addressing a Non-Compliance Issue in IV Therapy: Mrs. Escarez’s Course of Action

Introduction

Ensuring that healthcare providers are appropriately trained and competent in their duties is essential for patient safety and the delivery of quality care. When Mrs. Escarez observes a staff nurse administering IV therapy without the required training, she faces a critical situation that requires careful handling. In this essay, we will discuss the most appropriate course of action for Mrs. Escarez in this scenario.

Course of Action for Mrs. Escarez

Call the staff nurse and ask her to explain the incident (2)

Mrs. Escarez’s initial action should be to approach the staff nurse privately and request an explanation for the observed incident. Open and respectful communication is essential in addressing such issues. By inviting the nurse to explain her actions, Mrs. Escarez gains insight into the nurse’s perspective and the reasons behind her non-compliance.

This action allows for a constructive dialogue, during which the nurse can provide context for her actions. It may uncover issues such as misunderstandings, workload pressures, or other factors contributing to the non-compliance.

Report the incident immediately to the Chief Nurse (1)

Simultaneously or following the discussion with the staff nurse, Mrs. Escarez should report the incident to the Chief Nurse or the appropriate supervisor. Reporting the incident to higher-level authorities is necessary to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to address the non-compliance and provide guidance for future training and supervision.

Reporting the incident ensures transparency and accountability within the organization. It allows for a thorough investigation and potential intervention to prevent similar situations in the future.

Request transfer of the staff nurse to another department (3)

Requesting a transfer of the staff nurse to another department should not be an immediate response in this situation. Transferring the nurse should only be considered if her non-compliance persists despite appropriate interventions and if it is deemed necessary for patient safety and regulatory compliance.

Transfers should be a last resort and considered after other corrective measures have been exhausted. They should also be carried out in accordance with hospital policies and labor regulations.

Approach the staff nurse and reprimand her about her action (4)

Reprimanding the staff nurse should not be the first course of action. It is important to address the issue through communication, investigation, and appropriate reporting channels before considering any disciplinary measures. Reprimanding should be reserved for situations where clear misconduct has been established.

Conclusion

When Mrs. Escarez encounters a staff nurse administering IV therapy without the required training, a careful and systematic approach is necessary. Starting with a private discussion to understand the nurse’s perspective, followed by reporting the incident to higher authorities, is the most appropriate course of action. Requesting a transfer or reprimanding the nurse should only be considered if other measures fail to address the non-compliance issue and should be carried out in accordance with established policies and procedures. Patient safety and regulatory compliance should remain the top priorities throughout the resolution process.