Honesty

A time for reflection: HONESTY

I hope this message finds you well. Let me first start by saying how eternally grateful we are to those of you who provide exceptional care and fiercely advocate for our/your patients day in and day out. It is important to note that the following reminder in no way applies to the majority of our staff, and if you know it does not apply to you, please disregard this. 

With that said, I am writing to highlight an essential aspect of nursing practice that directly impacts both patient safety and the integrity of the profession: HONESTY. Nurses play a critical role in the healthcare system, and the importance of maintaining trust, both with patients and within the healthcare team, cannot be overstated.

One of the most vital aspects of nursing practice is the responsibility we bear in ensuring patient care is delivered safely and ethically. HONESTY forms the foundation for making informed decisions, advocating for patient rights, and ensuring that healthcare practices are carried out with the highest standard of care. It is essential that nurses be truthful in all aspects of their duties, whether communicating with patients, documenting care, or collaborating with colleagues and healthcare professionals.

HONESTY in nursing is not limited to merely telling the truth. It encompasses transparency in the reporting of medical errors, accurately documenting patient conditions, and communicating effectively and truthfully with patients and other members of the healthcare team. When nurses are truthful, they foster trust with patients, ensuring they feel safe and respected. Moreover, HONESTY strengthens the credibility of the nursing profession as a whole.

Equally important, HONESTY is critical in protecting one’s nursing license. A nurse’s license is not only a symbol of professional competence but also a legal safeguard that permits practice within the healthcare system. Dishonesty, whether through falsifying records, neglecting to report errors, providing inaccurate information, or blatantly fabricating tasks like taking vital signs, can lead to serious consequences. In severe cases, it can result in disciplinary action or the loss of licensure, which could have long-term impacts on a nurse’s career. We never want to play a part in a nurse having their license suspended or lost, but when we encounter major instances of dishonesty and a patient’s safety is put at risk, we may be left with no choice legally but to report to the Board of Nursing. Keep in mind, that sometimes the occurrence is uncovered by the Pharmacy in which case they will take swift action in reporting the offense to the necessary parties.

Home infusion presents a unique opportunity to forge a very close relationship with patients as you are in their personal space with them and their families. Please remember to maintain your professionalism at all times no matter how close you believe you and the patient to be. We often uncover instances of a lack of professionalism, insufficient thoroughness, or outright dishonesty through random quality assurance calls to the patient conducted by our Agency or the Pharmacy. Patients may inadvertently reveal things that they do not even realize are a problem, for example telling us that their nurse never takes their vital signs despite us having multiple visit notes with vital signs documented.

It is important for nurses to recognize that their professional reputation and the safety of their patients depend on their commitment to truthfulness. Upholding HONESTY not only strengthens the nurse-patient relationship but also ensures the quality of care and supports the integrity of the nursing profession.

As nurses, we must always strive to act with HONESTY and Integrity. The responsibility we have to protect our patients, our colleagues, and our own professional standing is immense. By adhering to these principles, we safeguard not only our nursing license but also the trust and respect that are essential for the delivery of quality care. Please see some examples of a lack of thoroughness in nursing care or in some cases blatant dishonesty that we sometimes encounter:

• Fabricating the performance of certain tasks during a visit (i.e., documenting vital signs that were never taken, documenting things that were done by the patient before you arrived as if you did them, running infusions faster than ordered/allowed, etc.)

• Failure to document occurrences during a visit related to care such as patient reactions or intolerances to infusion

• Falsifying mileage and travel time to and from patient’s homes

• Spiking/Mixing medications prior to obtaining access

• Failure to reach out to the Agency after 2 unsuccessful attempts and continuing to attempt access far beyond the number of times allowed/approved

If any of these apply to you, I urge you to correct the behavior now. Please remember that your visit note documentation should be a complete reflection of what occurred at the visit, and it is imperative that you document accurately, thoroughly, and HONESTLY. 

Again, a huge THANK YOU to our wonderful nursing staff. We could not do this without you!

Sincerely, 

Shari Blackmon RN-C, BSN

Director of Nursing