Manual for Joint Commission and OSHA Core Mandatories
Part II: Nursing
Section 1: Age-Specific Patient Care
Introduction
Purpose/Overall Goal
Course Objectives
Communication Across the Ages
Complex Communication Needs
Neonates: Birth-28 Days
Infants and Toddlers: 0-3 Years
Young Children: 4-6 Years
Older Children: 7-12 Years
Adolescents: 13-20 Years
Young Adults: 21-39 Years
Middle Adults: 40-64 Years
Older Adults: 65-79 Years
Adults Age 80 And Older
Summary
References
Section 2: Cultural Competence
Introduction
Purpose/Overall Goal
Course Objectives
Cultural Diversity
Valuing Diversity
Assessing One’s Own Cultural Competency
Managing Cultural Differences
Managing Cultural Differences: Asking Nonjudgmental Questions
Managing Cultural Differences: Listening Carefully
Managing Cultural Differences: Setting Realistic Goals for Behavior Change
Managing Cultural Differences: Solving Problems Together
Managing Cultural Differences: Working with An Interpreter
Incorporating Cultural Knowledge into Care
Adapting to Diversity
Barriers to Culturally Competent Care
Clinical Outcomes
Summary
References
Section 3: Ethics
Introduction
Purpose/Overall Goal
Page | 1
, Manual for Joint Commission and OSHA Core Mandatories
Part II: Nursing
Course Objectives
Ethical Standards
Organizational Ethics
Individual Rights
Individual Responsibilities
Benefits of An Ethics Program
Integrated Ethics Model
Shared Decision-Making with Patients
Patient Privacy and Confidentiality
Professionalism in Patient Care
Ethical Practices in the Workplace
Examples of Ethical Dilemmas
Summary
References
Section 4: 2019 National Patient Safety Goals for Hospitals Nursing Education Module
Introduction
Course Objectives
Goal 1: Improve the accuracy of patient identification.
Goal 2: Improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers.
Goal 3: Improve the safety of using medications.
Goal 6: Reduce the harm associated with clinical alarm systems.
Goal 7: Reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
Goal 15: The hospital identifies safety risks inherent in its patient population.
Universal Protocol
Resources
Section 5: Patient Rights
Introduction
Purpose/Overall Goal
Course Objectives
The Patient’s Bill Of Rights
Nurses as Patient Advocate
Patient Responsibilities
Summary
References
Section 6: Patient Safety Systems and Events
Introduction
Purpose/Overall Goal
Course Objectives
Key Terms
Sentinel Events
Comprehensive Systematic Analysis
Action Plans
Page | 2
, Manual for Joint Commission and OSHA Core Mandatories
Part II: Nursing
Patient Safety Systems
Summary
References
Congratulations!
Section 1: Age-Specific Patient Care
Introduction
Every patient is different – and so is every age group. As a caregiver, you must be aware of
certain considerations related to each age group and ways to effectively communicate with
patients of various ages.
It is important to understand patient needs and what they might be facing at certain times of
their lives. This can help you identify issues such as speech or hearing impairments, stress,
learning disabilities, depression, and much more.
Educating yourself about these factors can help you deliver the best care possible to your
patients.
Purpose/Overall Goal
This module outlines age-specific care and best practices for nine different age groups, from
birth to age 80 and beyond.
The goal of this module is to provide healthcare workers with information on how to physical,
emotional, social, spiritual, and other needs for different age groups, and how to adjust your
patient care with age-specific needs in mind.
Course Objectives
After completing this module, the learner should be able to:
• Demonstrate appropriate communication skills for various age groups
• Describe appropriate healthcare practices for various age groups
• Explain physical and emotional considerations for patients of different ages
• Describe common health conditions to assess in patients at various life stages
Communication Across the Ages
As a healthcare worker, clear communication with patients is key to providing good age- specific
care. Each age group has unique physical, psychosocial, and cognitive needs, as well as
unique fears and stressors.
By understanding the age-specific needs usually associated with each stage of life, you can
provide better, more appropriate care, tailored to the needs of each individual.
For every patient across all age groups you should:
Assess primary language
• Check for speech or hearing impairments
• Check for confusion, depression, and signs of illness or stress
Page | 3
, Manual for Joint Commission and OSHA Core Mandatories
Part II: Nursing
• Be aware of possible learning disabilities
• Be mindful of cultural differences
• Understand family structure
Regardless of a patient’s age, caregivers must respond to the need of each patient and family
for:
• Safety
• Privacy
• Confidentiality
• Comfort
• Pain management
• Healthcare choices
Complex Communication Needs
Keep in mind that individuals with complex communication needs (CCN) who cannot
communicate by natural speech alone have the same social, emotional, and physical needs as
other individuals.
Communication supports, also known as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC),
can help these individuals express themselves.
Examples of AACs include:
• Gestures and body language
• Sign language
• Paper and pencil written communications
• Picture boards or books
• Devices that produce voice output (speech generating devices) or written output
• Electronic communication aids that use picture symbols, letters, and/or words and
phrases to create messages
Neonates: Birth-28 Days
The first 28 days of life are a time when neonates are in a state of total dependency and their
basic body functions are being established. The following is a checklist of functions to test:
• Reflexes such as grasping, gagging, and startling
• Vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration)
• Steady weight gain
• Blood glucose levels when appropriate
Keep these practices in mind:
• Always handle the neonate in a gentle, comforting manner to avoid overstimulation.
• Swaddling increases feeling of security and comfort.
• Teach parents proper childcare skills for feeding, diapering, cord care, and bathing.
• Teach parents to always put the baby down on his or her back for sleeping, to help avoid
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Make sure parents understand the importance of safety devices such as car seats.
Page | 4
Part II: Nursing
Section 1: Age-Specific Patient Care
Introduction
Purpose/Overall Goal
Course Objectives
Communication Across the Ages
Complex Communication Needs
Neonates: Birth-28 Days
Infants and Toddlers: 0-3 Years
Young Children: 4-6 Years
Older Children: 7-12 Years
Adolescents: 13-20 Years
Young Adults: 21-39 Years
Middle Adults: 40-64 Years
Older Adults: 65-79 Years
Adults Age 80 And Older
Summary
References
Section 2: Cultural Competence
Introduction
Purpose/Overall Goal
Course Objectives
Cultural Diversity
Valuing Diversity
Assessing One’s Own Cultural Competency
Managing Cultural Differences
Managing Cultural Differences: Asking Nonjudgmental Questions
Managing Cultural Differences: Listening Carefully
Managing Cultural Differences: Setting Realistic Goals for Behavior Change
Managing Cultural Differences: Solving Problems Together
Managing Cultural Differences: Working with An Interpreter
Incorporating Cultural Knowledge into Care
Adapting to Diversity
Barriers to Culturally Competent Care
Clinical Outcomes
Summary
References
Section 3: Ethics
Introduction
Purpose/Overall Goal
Page | 1
, Manual for Joint Commission and OSHA Core Mandatories
Part II: Nursing
Course Objectives
Ethical Standards
Organizational Ethics
Individual Rights
Individual Responsibilities
Benefits of An Ethics Program
Integrated Ethics Model
Shared Decision-Making with Patients
Patient Privacy and Confidentiality
Professionalism in Patient Care
Ethical Practices in the Workplace
Examples of Ethical Dilemmas
Summary
References
Section 4: 2019 National Patient Safety Goals for Hospitals Nursing Education Module
Introduction
Course Objectives
Goal 1: Improve the accuracy of patient identification.
Goal 2: Improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers.
Goal 3: Improve the safety of using medications.
Goal 6: Reduce the harm associated with clinical alarm systems.
Goal 7: Reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
Goal 15: The hospital identifies safety risks inherent in its patient population.
Universal Protocol
Resources
Section 5: Patient Rights
Introduction
Purpose/Overall Goal
Course Objectives
The Patient’s Bill Of Rights
Nurses as Patient Advocate
Patient Responsibilities
Summary
References
Section 6: Patient Safety Systems and Events
Introduction
Purpose/Overall Goal
Course Objectives
Key Terms
Sentinel Events
Comprehensive Systematic Analysis
Action Plans
Page | 2
, Manual for Joint Commission and OSHA Core Mandatories
Part II: Nursing
Patient Safety Systems
Summary
References
Congratulations!
Section 1: Age-Specific Patient Care
Introduction
Every patient is different – and so is every age group. As a caregiver, you must be aware of
certain considerations related to each age group and ways to effectively communicate with
patients of various ages.
It is important to understand patient needs and what they might be facing at certain times of
their lives. This can help you identify issues such as speech or hearing impairments, stress,
learning disabilities, depression, and much more.
Educating yourself about these factors can help you deliver the best care possible to your
patients.
Purpose/Overall Goal
This module outlines age-specific care and best practices for nine different age groups, from
birth to age 80 and beyond.
The goal of this module is to provide healthcare workers with information on how to physical,
emotional, social, spiritual, and other needs for different age groups, and how to adjust your
patient care with age-specific needs in mind.
Course Objectives
After completing this module, the learner should be able to:
• Demonstrate appropriate communication skills for various age groups
• Describe appropriate healthcare practices for various age groups
• Explain physical and emotional considerations for patients of different ages
• Describe common health conditions to assess in patients at various life stages
Communication Across the Ages
As a healthcare worker, clear communication with patients is key to providing good age- specific
care. Each age group has unique physical, psychosocial, and cognitive needs, as well as
unique fears and stressors.
By understanding the age-specific needs usually associated with each stage of life, you can
provide better, more appropriate care, tailored to the needs of each individual.
For every patient across all age groups you should:
Assess primary language
• Check for speech or hearing impairments
• Check for confusion, depression, and signs of illness or stress
Page | 3
, Manual for Joint Commission and OSHA Core Mandatories
Part II: Nursing
• Be aware of possible learning disabilities
• Be mindful of cultural differences
• Understand family structure
Regardless of a patient’s age, caregivers must respond to the need of each patient and family
for:
• Safety
• Privacy
• Confidentiality
• Comfort
• Pain management
• Healthcare choices
Complex Communication Needs
Keep in mind that individuals with complex communication needs (CCN) who cannot
communicate by natural speech alone have the same social, emotional, and physical needs as
other individuals.
Communication supports, also known as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC),
can help these individuals express themselves.
Examples of AACs include:
• Gestures and body language
• Sign language
• Paper and pencil written communications
• Picture boards or books
• Devices that produce voice output (speech generating devices) or written output
• Electronic communication aids that use picture symbols, letters, and/or words and
phrases to create messages
Neonates: Birth-28 Days
The first 28 days of life are a time when neonates are in a state of total dependency and their
basic body functions are being established. The following is a checklist of functions to test:
• Reflexes such as grasping, gagging, and startling
• Vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration)
• Steady weight gain
• Blood glucose levels when appropriate
Keep these practices in mind:
• Always handle the neonate in a gentle, comforting manner to avoid overstimulation.
• Swaddling increases feeling of security and comfort.
• Teach parents proper childcare skills for feeding, diapering, cord care, and bathing.
• Teach parents to always put the baby down on his or her back for sleeping, to help avoid
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Make sure parents understand the importance of safety devices such as car seats.
Page | 4
