title: Nurses: the patient's first--and perhaps last--line of defense.
authors.affiliation: Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, USA.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joy
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D019359:Knowledge; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009871:Operating Room Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States