Page 206 - Essentials of Nursing Leadership and Management, 5th Edition

CikguOnline
2208_Ch12_169-196.qxd 11/6/09 6:01 PM Page 193
chapter 12 | Promoting a Healthy Workplace 193 CikguOnline
cultural factors must be assessed in developing workplace ergonomics—such as modifications to
materials for patient education. various elements of the physical environment,
including floors, chairs, desks, beds, and worksta-
As you begin your career, be alert to the signs of cul-
tions, to decrease the incidence of back and upper
tural diversity or insensitivity where you work. Signs
extremity injuries—has already been discussed.The
that increased sensitivity and responsiveness to the
use of lighting, colors, and music to improve the
needs of a culturally diverse workforce are needed on
workplace environment is increasing. Computer
your team or in your organization may include a
workstations designed to promote efficiency in the
greater proportion of minorities or women in lower-
patient care unit are becoming commonplace.
level jobs, lower career mobility and higher turnover
Relocation of supplies and substations closer to
rates in these groups, and acceptance or even
patient rooms to reduce the number of steps,
approval of insensitivity and unfairness (Malone,
improved visual and auditory scanning of patients
1993). Observe interaction patterns, such as where
from the nurses’ station, better light and ventila-
people sit in the cafeteria or how they cluster during
tion, a unified information system, and reduced
coffee breaks. Are they mixing freely, or are there
need for patient transport are all possible with
divisions by gender, race, language, or status in the
changes in the physical environment.
organization (Moch & Diemert,1987; Ward,1992)?
Health-care pollution is a more recently identi-
Other indications of an organization’s diversity
fied problem. Dioxin emissions, mercury, and bat-
“fitness” include the following (Mitchell, 1995):
tery waste are often not disposed properly in the
■ The personnel mix reflects the current and hospital environment. Disinfectants, chemicals,
potential population being served. waste anesthesia gases, and laser plumes that float
■ Individual cultural preferences pertaining to in the air are other sources of pollution exposure for
issues of social distance, touching, voice volume nurses. Nurses have a responsibility to be aware of
and inflection, silence, and gestures are respected. these potential problems and identify areas in the
■ There is awareness of special family and holiday hospital at risk. Rethinking product choices, such
celebrations important to people of different as avoiding the use of polyvinyl chloride or mercu-
cultures. ry products, providing convenient collection sites
■ The organization communicates through action for battery and mercury waste, and making waste
that people are individuals first and members of management education for employees mandatory
a particular culture second. are starts toward a more pollution-free environ-
ment (Slattery, 1998). The purchase of recycled
Effective management of cultural diversity requires
paper and products, waste treatment choices that
considerable time and energy. Although organized
minimize toxic disinfectants, and waste disposal
cultural diversity programs are usually the respon-
choices that reduce incineration to a maximum are
sibility of middle- and upper-level managers, you
needed. Nurses as professionals need to be aware of
can play a part in raising awareness. You can be a
the consequences of the medical waste produced by
culturally competent practitioner and a role model
the health sector, supporting continued education
for others by becoming:
for both nurses and patients.
■ Aware of and sensitive to your own culture-
based preferences Conclusion
■ Willing to explore your own biases and values
■ Knowledgeable about other cultures Workplace safety is an area of increasing concern.
■ Respectful of and sensitive to diversity among Staff members have a right to be informed of any
individuals potential risks in the workplace. Employers have a
■ Skilled using and selecting culturally sensitive responsibility to provide adequate equipment and
intervention strategies supplies to protect employees and to create pro-
grams and policies to inform employees about
Physical Environment minimizing risks to the extent possible. Issues of
Attention to the physical environment of the work- workplace violence, sexual harassment, impaired
place is not as well developed as to the social aspect, workers, ergonomics and workplace injuries, and
especially in nursing. The increasing focus on terrorism should be addressed to protect both