These concerns are summarized below. If proper nursing care is not provided in surgical facilities then public safety is jeopardized.
Nursing care starts before surgery is performed, during surgery and continues after surgery.
Surgical facilities must provide evidence that they have the right resources, policies and procedures in order that nursing care can be properly provided and that nursing practice standards are met. To date, none of the documents provided by government on private surgical facilities refer to nursing care or nursing practice standards in surgical facilities. The AARN strongly objects to this significant omission that could put patient safety at risk. The regulations and policies under the Health Care Protection Act must reflect the essential role of nursing care and ensure that the necessary supports for that care are in place before and during accreditation and designation of surgical facilities. For instance, the provision of nursing care according to professional nursing practice standards is a core element of public safety.