Challenges in Healthcare Systems and Women's Caregiving Roles1
Year: 2004
Type: article
Abstract: Improving patient safety is one of the challenges facing our healthcare system. A report in January 2004 from the Institute of Medicine discusses key aspects of nurses' working environments, including the effect of extended hours and workload on patient safety outcomes. As caregivers, nurses play an important role in patient safety and quality of care. They represent the frontline surveillance system in many healthcare settings and can detect errors before the patient can be harmed. The risks for patient infections, occupational illnesses among nursing staff, and the possible spread of infection to nurses' family members can be avoided or reduced if working conditions are supportive. Most nursing staff are women, substantial numbers of whom appear to be leaving the field for other career opportunities. Policymakers must closely monitor emerging trends in the nursing workforce to weigh possible benefits of legislation to increase the supply of nurse workers and reduce adverse patient outcomes.
Source: Emerging infectious diseases
Language: English
Subfield: Research and Theory
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2037787237