Critically explore a risk assessment and quality improvement strategy in the provision of person centred safe high-quality adult nursing care
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Risk Assessment and Quality Improvement Strategy in Person-Centered Adult Nursing Care
Introduction
The provision of person-centered safe, high-quality adult nursing care is paramount in modern healthcare. As the healthcare environment becomes increasingly complex, the necessity for robust risk assessment and quality improvement strategies has never been more essential. This essay critically explores the interplay between risk assessment and quality improvement in nursing care, focusing on their roles in enhancing patient safety, improving outcomes, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Understanding Risk Assessment in Nursing Care
Risk assessment is a systematic process that identifies potential hazards that could adversely affect patients’ health and safety. In adult nursing care, it involves evaluating factors such as clinical conditions, medication management, environmental safety, and patient behavior. The goal is to minimize risks through proactive measures.
Key Components of Risk Assessment
1. Identification of Risks: This involves recognizing potential risks that may arise during nursing care. These could include falls, medication errors, infections, and pressure ulcers.
2. Analysis of Risks: After identifying risks, nurses analyze the likelihood of occurrence and the potential impact on patient outcomes. This step often employs tools such as risk matrices or scoring systems.
3. Implementation of Mitigation Strategies: Once risks are assessed, appropriate interventions are devised to mitigate them. This may include patient education, environmental modifications, or changes in clinical protocols.
4. Monitoring and Review: Continuous monitoring of identified risks and the effectiveness of implemented strategies is crucial. Regular reviews allow for adjustments based on evolving patient needs or emerging data.
Example: Fall Risk Assessment
A practical application of risk assessment in nursing is the implementation of fall risk assessments for elderly patients. Nurses use standardized tools like the Morse Fall Scale to evaluate patients’ risk factors, such as age, mobility limitations, and medication side effects. Following assessment, individualized care plans are created that may include interventions like regular safety checks, mobility aids, or patient education on fall prevention.
Quality Improvement Strategies in Nursing Care
Quality improvement (QI) strategies aim to enhance the quality of care provided to patients systematically. In nursing care, QI initiatives focus on improving processes, outcomes, and patient experiences.
Key Components of Quality Improvement
1. Data Collection and Analysis: Effective QI strategies begin with collecting data on current practices and outcomes. This can involve audits of patient records, surveys of patient satisfaction, or tracking adverse events.
2. Identifying Areas for Improvement: Data analysis helps identify gaps in care or areas needing enhancement. For instance, if data reveals high rates of hospital-acquired infections, targeted interventions can be developed.
3. Implementing Change: Changes may involve revising protocols, enhancing staff training, or introducing new technologies. The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle is a common framework used to implement changes incrementally.
4. Evaluating Outcomes: After implementing changes, it is crucial to evaluate their impact on patient outcomes and overall quality of care. This evaluation can lead to further refinements and sustained improvements.
Example: Infection Control Improvement Initiative
An example of a successful quality improvement strategy can be seen in infection control initiatives aimed at reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Nurses may implement evidence-based protocols for catheter insertion and maintenance while also conducting staff training sessions. Data collected post-intervention can show a decrease in CAUTI rates, demonstrating the effectiveness of the QI strategy.
Integration of Risk Assessment and Quality Improvement
The integration of risk assessment and quality improvement is vital for optimizing nursing care. Risk assessments provide the foundational data necessary for QI initiatives, while QI strategies can enhance the effectiveness of risk management processes.
1. Data-Driven Decision Making: Risk assessments generate valuable data that inform QI initiatives. For instance, identifying high fall risk populations allows for targeted quality improvement efforts in fall prevention strategies.
2. Creating a Culture of Safety: A combined approach fosters a culture of safety within healthcare organizations. By prioritizing both risk assessment and quality improvement, nursing staff are encouraged to report near misses or adverse events without fear of retribution, enabling continuous learning and improvement.
3. Patient-Centered Care: Both strategies emphasize the importance of patient-centered care by involving patients in their care plans based on identified risks and improvement strategies. Engaging patients in discussions about their care fosters trust and improves adherence to safety protocols.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the critical exploration of risk assessment and quality improvement strategies reveals their integral roles in providing person-centered safe high-quality adult nursing care. By systematically identifying risks and implementing targeted improvements, healthcare professionals can enhance patient safety and outcomes while promoting a culture of continuous improvement. This integrated approach not only addresses immediate concerns but also lays the groundwork for sustainable advancements in nursing practice that prioritize the well-being of patients. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, embracing these strategies will be essential in delivering optimal care that meets the diverse needs of adult patients.
