Emerging Standards Of Care Final Revision
Emerging Standards of Care
Sheena Kristine Ascano
NURS 531
March 9, 2015
Jane Jacks
Emerging Standards of Care Living in an ethnically diverse nation, almost every health care system has a strategic plan implemented to achieve diversity and cultural competence when providing care to the public. According to the “U.S. Department of Health and Human Services” (2013) website, “newly enhanced standards such as the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) will help organizations improve quality of care and reduce health disparities in serving our nation’s diverse communities” (“U.S. Department of Health and Human Services”, 2013). As a registered nurse, it is important to work in an environment where cultural competence is evident because it increases the level of comfort between patients and providers that results in efficient treatment and care. This paper will discuss the cultural competency and diversity in my workplace, the population being served and their specific health vulnerabilities, and the impact of delivery of nursing care. Organization’s Cultural Competence Standards I am currently working at a public hospital in San Mateo County that consist of outpatient clinics with medical imaging and laboratory services, 64 bed General Medical-Surgical unit, seven bed General Medical Intensive Care Unit, and long-term care facilities. The emergency department in our facility provides 24-hour emergency care. Unfortunately, we do not have a Trauma Center, so transfer services are provided for patients requiring highly specialized care and treatment. I currently work in the Intensive Care Unit, which cares for patients with critical care conditions that includes stroke, respiratory distress, sepsis, and life-threatening arrhythmias.
According to Cowen and Moorhead (2011), “one of the significant challenges for nursing is to meet the cultural needs of a growing cultural group in
Sheena Kristine Ascano
NURS 531
March 9, 2015
Jane Jacks
Emerging Standards of Care Living in an ethnically diverse nation, almost every health care system has a strategic plan implemented to achieve diversity and cultural competence when providing care to the public. According to the “U.S. Department of Health and Human Services” (2013) website, “newly enhanced standards such as the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) will help organizations improve quality of care and reduce health disparities in serving our nation’s diverse communities” (“U.S. Department of Health and Human Services”, 2013). As a registered nurse, it is important to work in an environment where cultural competence is evident because it increases the level of comfort between patients and providers that results in efficient treatment and care. This paper will discuss the cultural competency and diversity in my workplace, the population being served and their specific health vulnerabilities, and the impact of delivery of nursing care. Organization’s Cultural Competence Standards I am currently working at a public hospital in San Mateo County that consist of outpatient clinics with medical imaging and laboratory services, 64 bed General Medical-Surgical unit, seven bed General Medical Intensive Care Unit, and long-term care facilities. The emergency department in our facility provides 24-hour emergency care. Unfortunately, we do not have a Trauma Center, so transfer services are provided for patients requiring highly specialized care and treatment. I currently work in the Intensive Care Unit, which cares for patients with critical care conditions that includes stroke, respiratory distress, sepsis, and life-threatening arrhythmias.
According to Cowen and Moorhead (2011), “one of the significant challenges for nursing is to meet the cultural needs of a growing cultural group in
References: County of San Mateo Health System. (2010). Health Status Indicators in San Mateo County. Retrieved from http://www.smhealth.org/Healthy%20San%20Mateo. Cowen, P. S., & Moorhead, S. (2011). Current issues in nursing (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO:Mosby. Kavanaugh, K., & Gardiner, S. (2003, October). Culturally Sensitive Care. Advance Healthcare Network for Nurses, 1(10), 25. San Mateo County Health System. (2014). Eliminating Disparities, Inequities, and Stigma in Behavioral Health. Retrieved from http://www.smchealth.org/sites/default/files/docs/ BHS/ODE/ODE_Report.pdf. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/04/20130424b.html. United States Census Bureau. (2014). State and County Quick Facts. Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0668252.html.