Final answer:
Substance abuse in nurses can hinder the delivery of quality patient care, impacting patient safety and outcomes. Medication errors, patient falls, hospital-acquired infections, and patient satisfaction are quality outcomes directly tied to this issue.
Step-by-step explanation:
Substance abuse in nurses can greatly hinder the delivery of quality patient care. Substance abuse can impair a nurse's judgment, affect their ability to think clearly and make quick decisions, and lead to decreased focus and attention. These factors can directly impact patient safety and outcomes, as nurses may make medication errors, fail to recognize and respond to changes in a patient's condition, or provide inadequate care.
Quality outcomes and measurements that are directly tied to substance abuse in nurses include medication errors, patient falls, hospital-acquired infections, and patient satisfaction. Substance abuse impairs a nurse's ability to accurately administer medications, increasing the risk of medication errors. It can also decrease a nurse's ability to provide attentive and safe care, leading to patient falls and hospital-acquired infections. Additionally, substance abuse can negatively affect the nurse-patient relationship and overall patient satisfaction.