Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: As technology has evolved in health care, nurses have used these advances to improve patient care in numerous ways. The huge leaps in health-care technology over the…

Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: A system can be defined as “a collection of interdependent elements that interact to achieve a common purpose” (Nolan, 1998). In systems-based practice (SBP), a clinician considers the multiple…

Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: The health-care delivery system consists of all the individuals and organizations collectively responsible for providing and overseeing health care in an area. These components include providers (e.g., physicians, nurses,…

Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: The process of evidence-based practice involves making clinical decisions based on the best available evidence from the most up-to-date research. By keeping up with the latest research, nurses can…

Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: Health policy regulates the delivery of health-care, with the focus on optimal patient outcomes. Everyone has the right to have access to the highest quality and safest…

Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: A team-based approach called intercollaborative care is designed to promote person-centered care to improve patient and health system outcomes. This is achieved through shared responsibilities, interactive planning, and collaborative…

Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: Nurses are an asset to their communities. The nursing profession is a calling for many, and it is an essential component of quality health care. Nurses take…

Figure 1.1 Medical-surgical nurses care for a variety of patients in many different settings. (credit: modification of work “All of Us Participant” by NIH Image Gallery/Flickr, Public Domain) Chapter Outline 1.1 Professional Nursing Practice 1.2 Intercollaborative Care 1.3 Health Policy and Ethical Considerations 1.4 Evidence-Based Practice…