Safety Culture: Establishing Processes to Support Trust and Accountability for Risk Reduction

Oncology nurses are tasked with developing skills that enable vigilant risk surveillance through situational awareness. However, care distractions, task interruptions, increased workloads, and time constraints are common challenges that compete with the ability to provide optimal safe care. A commitment to safety is a professional and organizational expectation, and being empowered to overcome safety-related challenges necessitates multilevel and interprofessional accountability.

AT A GLANCE

• Error prevention requires interprofessional collaboration, trust, and accountability.
• Continual risk assessment should involve both professional vigilance and patient engagement.
• Oncology nurses can develop critical behaviors that promote a safe and just culture.