Risk Management Update from NSO

Thank you to NSO for the following articles on Risk Management.

• A systematic approach to ethical decision-making for nurses. Throughout their careers, nurses, nurse practitioners, and other nursing professionals will encounter challenging situations at work that present ethical dilemmas. Deciding what to do in these situations can cause significant stress, as the appropriate course of action can vary depending on each unique set of circumstances. This article reviews a model that nursing professionals can use as a guide to help them gain a better understanding of conflicting issues and navigate ethical dilemmas.
  
  
• When the patient disagrees. Nurses and nurse practitioners take pride in providing detailed information to patients to help them make treatment decisions. Ideally, people will make the best choice for themselves and their loved ones. But what happens when patients don’t make what you think is the “right” choice? Ultimately, you need to respect the patient’s autonomy and right to choose even if you may personally feel the patient isn’t making the best decision. You can help patients (and reduce your own legal risk) by ensuring they have the information they need to make an informed decision and are engaging in a shared decision-making process.