Law and Legislation
I need the peer response for the discussion.
Legislative statues and initiatives for Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) often fall to state, federal, and congress (Joel, 2018). Legislation defines the legal authority for practice, legal responsibilities of practitioners, many of the penalties for failing to live up to those legal responsibilities, and other critical aspects of practice, including reimbursement (Joel, 2018, p.434).
The pandemic of 2020 brought about need for changes in many aspects of healthcare. Assembly Bill 805 was introduced to California Legislature to generate clarity around personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement and distribution at local levels (A.B. 805, 2021). During the pandemic the hospitals suffered from shortages of nearly all different types of PPE and even required nurses to reuse their PPE (OurWeekly Los Angeles, 2021). This practice of reusing their PPE violated known proper infection control policies and if this would have occurred prior to the pandemic disciplinary action would have taken place, yet this was encouraged and required (OurWeekly Los Angeles, 2021).
PPE is known to be one of the most crucial elements nurses had to protect themselves and their patients during the battle against COVID-19 and during the initial part of the pandemic PPE procurement by government agencies was not transparent (National Nurses United, 2020). That is where A.B. 805 came in to require Medical Health Operational Area Coordinators report specified information on PPE distribution to the Governors Office of Emergency Services, and requires OES to publicly post this information (California Nurses Association, 2020, paragraph 5). The required information to be reported includes type of PPE, quantities of each PPE, and facilities PPE was given to (California Nurses Association, 2020). Not only will this Bill require this reporting during this pandemic, but also for all future emergencies.
This Bill is imperative for the health and safety of nurses, APNs, and patients now and in the future. Seeing nurses use trash bags to try and protect themselves on the television because they did not have the correct PPE broke my heart and angered me. Then hearing of nurses dying knowing it was more than likely due to the lack of PPE and these same nurses putting their lives on the line without any other choice. Taking an active role as an APN by lobbying at the state level, campaigning, and supporting nursing organizations such as the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United can help this bill to pass. If APNs do nothing and stay quiet, then no changes will occur and no one will be held accountable for future safety violations.
References
A.B. 805, 20212022 Reg. Sess., (California. 2021).
California Nurses Association. (2020). AB 805 Public Disclosure of PPE Distribution Fact Sheet.
Joel, L. A. (2018). Advanced practice nursing: Essentials for role development (4th ed.). F A Davis.
National Nurses United. (2020). Supported California Legislation.
OurWeekly Los Angeles. OW Staff Writer. (2021, May 13). California RNs urge state legislators to pass new laws.
Collepals.com Plagiarism Free Papers
Are you looking for custom essay writing service or even dissertation writing services? Just request for our write my paper service, and we'll match you with the best essay writer in your subject! With an exceptional team of professional academic experts in a wide range of subjects, we can guarantee you an unrivaled quality of custom-written papers.
Get ZERO PLAGIARISM, HUMAN WRITTEN ESSAYS
Why Hire Collepals.com writers to do your paper?
Quality- We are experienced and have access to ample research materials.
We write plagiarism Free Content
Confidential- We never share or sell your personal information to third parties.
Support-Chat with us today! We are always waiting to answer all your questions.
