Question

Regulation of healthcare has been subject to many rules, laws and requirements. Requirements continually change based on client outcomes, scientific evidence and political inputs. Discuss one law or regulation that directly impact the practice of the RN? How can an RN keep up their practice with the ever changing requirements?

Answer 1

Regulation of healthcare has been subject to many rules, laws and requirements. Requirements continually change based on client outcomes, scientific evidence and political inputs. Discuss one law or regulation that directly impact the practice of the RN?

answer:

Introduction:It is mandatory for the RN to be aware of the rules,laws and regulations involving the areas of practice and the general rules of the state of practice .The practice of the RN must be within the legal framework and boundaries of rules,laws and regulations of the state of practice. Failure to do so may involve penalty, jail punishment ,the canceling off license of practice and other repercussions on the practice of the RN as governed by the rules, laws and requirements.

.An example of one law or regulation that directly impacts the practice of the RN is discussed below.

Direct impact of RN practice by the rules/ laws and regulations governing  the mandatory reporting of the Dependent adults/elders suspected abuse.

The laws and regulations governing the mandatory reporting of the dependents adults/ elders suspected abuse vary from state to state with minor changes in the defining criteria and the procedural norms of reporting. The rules, laws and regulations regarding dependent adults/ elders suspected abuse directly affects the practice of RN .

The knowledge of the laws and regulations behind the mandatory reporting is very essential for the RN who is practicing in the area of family practice and gerontological practices of nursing in the state as also for those practicing in the hospitals/ nursing homes/ long term care facilities Not only the RN must practice within the framework of the local rules,laws and regulations governing the mandatory reporting but she/he must also keep up herself /himself updated with the latest changes in the laws and regulations governing the same..

In some States ,the law mandates immediate telephoning reporting of the suspected dependent adults/elder abuse with submission of a detailed report within 24 hours while the rules pertaining to them differ in some other states

Most of the states deal with the failure of reporting of these events by those concerned with dependent adults/ elders care, with penalty and jail punishments. The laws and regulations regarding the penalty/ punishment/action involved in cases of failure of reporting are different from state to state.

Thus,the awareness of presence of the local and state rules,law and regulations concerned with the mandatory reporting in events of dependent adults/elders abuse ,regular updation of the personal knowledge regarding the same and correct enforcement of the laws/ regulations govern the practice of the RN .

This is just one of the many examples of the laws and regulations which govern the practice of nursing . The other examples of laws and regulations including the HIPAA act/policy, child abuse reporting policy, The malpractice act,The advance nursing practice regulatory laws,rules governing end-of-life care and advance directives and so on.

How can an RN keep up their practice with the ever changing requirements?

answer:

An RN can keep up with the ever changing laws and regulations by awareness and knowledge about the changes, constant adaptation to them and modification of practice as per the changes{awareness,adoption, adaptation}.

The following are some of the ways in which the RN can keep up their practice with the ever changing requirements.

1.Awareness and knowledge updation : about the existing state and federal laws and regulations and the latest changes.

An RN in an area of practice must keep regularly in touch with her colleagues, professional bodies and the local hospital /nursing home authorities for the changes in the local regulations and laws and stay updated.She/he must make her self aware about the changes and have knowledge and clarity about the changes enough to be able to adopt the implications of the changing laws and regulations in her/his practice.

2. Practice modification and adaptation:

An RN must be open to the modification of the practice based on the changes in the local laws and regulations and be accustomed to the quick adaptation of these changes.He/she must constantly evaluate his/her practice with consideration of the current laws and regulations of the state .

3.Readiness to change:

Mental flexibility and readiness to change must exist in the professional practice of the RN which enables the reception of the changing laws and regulations at at an effective level and their seamless adoption to the practice.

Anticipation of the changes in the laws and regulations should be a part of the professional mental makeup of the RN practice.

4.Mandatory inclusion of laws and regulations and their changes topics at all the levels of professional interaction, hospital/nursing home meets,in the continuing education programs and professional meets and workshops at the levels of the professional, training and the educational nursing bodies of the state can help the RN to keep up their practice with the ever changing requirements.