Standards of Care

[Faith1970]

I am having difficulty with my new job. I am trying to learn the policies and how to deliver patient care. I have been a nurse for 6 years. I worked at a wonderful facility that was very nurse friendly and encouraged growth and education. I was taught the correct way on how to take care of patients. My new job is challenging. If I have a question, I am told to "get over it, that's our way." For example, we don't do time outs before procedures such as central line placements, thoracentesis, etc. I am told " we aren't jhaco accredited so we don't have to." Feeling very frustrated and I don't know what to do. I don't want to be the new person coming in who wants to change everything. I just want to do things correctly.

[firstinfamily, RN]

What environment are you in? Is this an outpatient service facility with ambulatory surgery? It seems to me they still have to have state inspections and that would be based on JACHO standards. Do some research and print out some articles for them that address these patient safety issues. Patient safety is a huge parameter for facilities to meet standards. Don't apologize for trying to make a place better than what it is. Sometimes you will be the only one to see beyond the borders and you should be proud of yourself for being able to identify the areas that are weak. You might look into the licensing agency for the facility and contact them to ask about the time out procedures. I bet if you mention patient safety they will be all over it.