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Nursing responsibility levels for cardiac surgical procedures.
Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing : DCCN
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Critical care nurses face complex liability issues, especially in cardiac surgery where expanded roles may exceed standard practice. This article explores these challenging "gray areas" and their implications.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Critical Care
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Nursing liability is a frequent concern for critical care staff and managers.
- High patient acuity in critical care often requires nurses to perform expanded roles.
- Questions arise regarding nursing practice within ambiguous or "gray" areas of care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address specific practice issues in controversial areas of cardiac surgical nursing.
- To discuss the implications of nursing care that may fall outside the accepted standard of practice.
Main Methods:
- This article is a discussion-based review.
- It addresses specific practice issues within cardiac surgical nursing.
Main Results:
- Expanded nursing roles in critical care, particularly cardiac surgery, can lead to practice outside accepted standards.
- Performing care beyond the standard of practice raises significant liability concerns.
Conclusions:
- Nurses must navigate the complexities of expanded roles in critical care, especially in cardiac surgery.
- Understanding and managing the legal implications of care provided outside the standard of practice is crucial for nursing professionals.