Eating and Elimination: Has it been more than six hours since I have eaten or used the restroom?Ī work environment organized for safety is one in which nurses plan for all to leave the unit for a meal break and monitor each other for high fatigue and stress levels.Fatigue: Am I suffering from lack of sleep to the degree that my judgment or abilities may be impaired?.Alcohol/Drugs: Is my use of alcohol or illicit drugs affecting my focus and performance? Am I fit for duty?.Stress: Is there something on my mind that is distracting from my ability to maintain a mindful focus on patient care delivery?.Medication: Is a medication I am taking impairing my ability to monitor the care environment for unsafe situation?.Illness: Am I so ill or feeling bad that I can’t be sure I’m performing care safely?.The “I’M SAFE” checklist described in the TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety) is a simple method to determine your ability to practice safety. Nurses must also be aware of the degree to which they are “fit and ready” to deliver safe care. Situation monitoring is a strategy used to monitor the care environment and each other for signs indicating an increased likelihood of a lapse in practice or mistakes that lead to patient harm and near-miss events. We must monitor our own and each other’s behaviors for evidence that a team member may not be able to deliver safe and quality care. There are also expectations within a culture of safety. In a workplace that has “organized for safety,” there are expectations for employees maintaining their own health. Many of us will answer “yes” to these inquiries-these types of resources are not unusual. Are there employee assistance resources available to help with life events that may be overwhelming and challenging?.Is there exercise equipment available to you for use during a break or before or after work-could you walk on a treadmill for 20 minutes prior to your shift or after work?.Do you have a wellness room available where you can take a 10 minute time out and relax in a quiet environment?. Consider for a moment the ways your workplace supports healthy behaviors on the part of employees. A safe work environment is one in which the physical health and well-being of all staff are considered prerequisite for safe patient care. Clinical environments demonstrating a strong culture of safety have optimized communication and teamwork among front-line staff, physicians, and leadership.
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