Complacency in Healthcare

Nice article. You are correct with many examples of "complacent" behavior. There is a lot of complacency in healthcare & other occupations as well. Most occupations compacency only costs "time or money", but in healthcare - it can truly be costly with a LIFE. I have been a student of complacency as it relates to aviatation and healthcare. It is astounding the way we make mistakes and the way those mistakes have consequences. The most complacent area of healthcare for nurses involves medications. Complacency attacks us in the things we do often and do everyday — the things that are almost on "autopilot" and it would be easy to see how med prep & administration would fall into that category. Yeah, ah, we got it the 5 rights! But, then WHY are there so many errors? Complacency. You do what you expect to do, see what you expect to see. Look without seeing, do without thinking. Yeah, it's all right, until it's its wrong. And when it's wrong, it can go very wrong. How do we stop it? No interruptions when prepping meds. Pedi dose specific carts, IV admixture dose controls (if you have to get 3-4 vials of something you are likely getting ready to OD someone), Bar codes, Double ID verify. High risk meds require 2 nurses to administer (blood, insulin, certain pressors, TPA, chemo). I'm sure there are are others. So, what else? Complacency exists in other ways too. And what "kills" it? Awareness — that it exists is primary. Be Vigilant. Be Motivated. Learn something everyday. When you find that you are unable to learn something every day, or work becomes the weight that is unbearable. It might be time for a new speciality.Respect complacency & resolve that you will not fall victim to it. Be aware in all areas of your clinical practice and resolve to approach situations with determination. Use the tools that are available to you. Practice safe!

A very important article that all nurses and health care professionals should read. Thank you.

Once again, as a nursing student in the GI suite watching colonoscopy after colonoscopy a woman came in for a study due to an extensive family history of colon cancer. As the probe was removed and she was slightly stirring from her twilight sleep, someone made an inappropriate joke at her expense. The entire room started laughing. The patient then looked up at me with tears in her eyes, "They are laughing at me, aren't they?"

Quote from banterings-- Lying to the patient to avoid conflict. -- Not reporting the incident to quality control/management/HR/etc.-- Accepting the verbal abuse of patients as the status quo or OR humor. -- Using the excuse of "I am only a student" for not reporting patient abuse.That is very...COMPLACENT!

Great replies all!

You make some very good points banterings, for sure. I have to agree with macawake with the below stated: Quote from macawakeI doubt that OP lied to avoid a conflict....I think it's likely that OP lied to try to comfort the patient. She was a student and was likely shocked by what took place and only had seconds to come up with a response/reaction. She tried to be kind.