The ethics and practical importance of defining, distinguishing and disclosing nursing errors: a discussion paper.
Nurses globally are required and expected to report nursing errors. As is clearly demonstrated in the international literature, fulfilling this requirement is not, however, without risks. In this discussion paper, the notion of 'nursing error', the practical and moral importance of defining, distinguishing and disclosing nursing errors and how a distinct definition of 'nursing error' fits with the new 'system approach' to human-error management in health care are critiqued. Drawing on international literature and two key case exemplars from the USA and Australia, arguments are advanced to support the view that although it is 'right' for nurses to report nursing errors, it will be very difficult for them to do so unless a non-punitive approach to nursing-error management is adopted.
Johnstone
Megan-Jane
MJ
Division of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Plenty Road, Bundoora Vic 3083, Australia. megan.johnstone@rmit.edu.au
Kanitsaki
Olga
O
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002170:Canada; D032781:Codes of Ethics; D004647:Employee Discipline / Q000941:ethics; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009014:Morals; D009520:New Zealand; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000941:ethics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011678:Punishment; D012308:Risk Management / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D012752:Shame; D013597:Systems Analysis; D014342:Truth Disclosure / Q000941:ethics*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States