If you have been following along, a few weeks ago I was exposed to a dirty sharps. Knowing that this incident could happen again and that it is completely preventable, I had a plan to test and possibly implement a new standard for this unit. After talking with the Doctor about my idea and winning his approval for the changes, I then spoke with the charge nurse who was also on board. With one simple change or more so, an addition to this procedure, the entire team was safe and at very low risk for exposure for the first time since my arrival on this unit.
With this experience, I have learned a very important lesson. I saw the risk from the moment I was told what my role was as the circulating nurse during this procedure. I should have insisted on this change/addition from the beginning. I now know that waiting for a problem means it is already to late! Speaking up as a traveler is not easy, these units have been doing things a certain way for a long time and change is always hard. The importance of speaking up and taking action to improve procedures and protect staff and patients from potential harm is crucial. As a Traveler, I will never again be afraid to recommend or test ways to make a dangerous situation safer for everyone!
6 weeks completed, 2 left to go!
