A nurse is educating a newly licensed nurse on cost-saving methods in client care. Which statement from the newly licensed nurse demonstrates comprehension of the teaching?

Choice A Reason:

Data systems offer supplementary documentation for adverse events that staff may not be able to provide. While data systems can enhance documentation and provide valuable information, the primary objective of deploying suitable technology in this context is to prevent adverse events. Supplementary documentation alone does not directly prevent adverse events but rather helps in understanding and analyzing them after they occur.

Choice B Reason:

Physiologic monitoring systems allow for the identification of early changes prior to the occurrence of an adverse event. This is the most accurate description of the objective. These systems continuously monitor patients’ vital signs and other physiological parameters, providing real-time data that can alert healthcare providers to early signs of deterioration. By identifying these changes early, interventions can be made promptly to prevent adverse events, thereby improving patient safety and outcomes.

Choice C Reason:

Frequently, patient data documentation is difficult to read, leading to misinterpretation. While this is a valid concern, it is not the primary focus of deploying patient surveillance systems. The objective is to prevent adverse events, and while improving documentation readability can contribute to better care, it does not directly address the prevention of adverse events through early detection and intervention.

Choice D Reason:

Mistakes made by humans play a significant role in causing adverse events. This statement is true, as human error is a common factor in adverse events. However, the deployment of suitable technology, such as physiologic monitoring systems, aims to mitigate these errors by providing continuous monitoring and early warning signs. The focus is on preventing adverse events through technology that supports human decision-making and reduces the likelihood of errors.

Choice A Reason:

Unacceptable patient care may result from absenteeism because it leads to understaffing, which can compromise the quality of care provided to patients. When there are fewer nurses available, the remaining staff may be overworked, leading to fatigue, burnout, and errors in patient care. Studies have shown that absenteeism is linked to lower quality of care, increased patient safety incidents, and higher mortality rates. Ensuring adequate staffing levels is crucial for maintaining high standards of patient care and safety.

Choice B Reason:

While absenteeism may indeed encourage other team members to engage in similar behavior, this is not the primary consequence. The ripple effect of absenteeism can lead to a culture of non-compliance and reduced morale among staff, but the immediate and most critical impact is on patient care. The focus should be on the direct consequences of absenteeism on patient outcomes rather than the potential influence on team behavior.

Choice C Reason:

Lower personnel numbers leading to reduced salary expenses and creating a positive variance is a misleading statement. While it might seem that fewer staff would reduce salary expenses, the hidden costs of absenteeism, such as overtime pay for remaining staff, hiring temporary staff, and the potential for increased patient care costs due to errors and complications, often outweigh any perceived savings. Additionally, the quality of care suffers, which can lead to longer hospital stays and higher overall healthcare costs.

Choice D Reason:

Introducing substitute staff with fresh perspectives can harm the unit’s culture is not the primary consequence of absenteeism. While bringing in temporary or substitute staff can disrupt the established team dynamics and continuity of care, the immediate and most significant impact of absenteeism is on patient care. The focus should be on how absenteeism directly affects patient outcomes rather than the potential cultural impact on the unit.