Reference no: EM133249294

Case: May is a 40 year old female who was admitted to your ward post appendicectomy. The handover from the recovery staff is that all went well, there was minimal blood loss and she is a little drowsy still.

The ward is busy and May's first post operative observations are missed due to the nurse caring for other patients.
The ward receptionist receives a phone call from May's husband asking how she is, as he had a strange phone call from her and she did not appear to be making sense. The receptionist find the nurse caring for May and asks her to speak with the husband. The nurse reassures the husband that May is fine and she will go and check on her in a while. May's husband insists on the nurse attending to his wife now.
The nurse leaves her other patients and attends May, whom she find slumped in the bed unarousable. The nurse calls a MET call and May's initial observations are:
Respiratory Rate: 4
BP: 60/40
Pulse: 120
Temperature: 35.5

Question 1 - Looking at this case study, which of the mistake could have been prevented and why?
Identify one mistake
Identify current relevant legislation that is in place to prevent this mistake from happening,
Evaluate the nurses role in this mistake and link it to the legislation used above

Question 2 - Who is at fault for the observations not being undertaken on time?
Identify who is at fault.
Identify the reporting structures in place for the person at fault and why these are important
What are the consequences of post operative observations not being undertaken according to the hospital policy?
Argue your decision and refer to legislation

Question 3 - Give 2 options available to nursing staff to escalate unsafe staffing levels
Identify two options for nursing staff to escalate unsafe staffing levels
If you were the nurse in charge on this shift, how would you ensure patient care was not put at risk despite low staffing ratios?