Emerging Standards of Care: Cultural Competence Essay

The United States is often referred to as a melting pot. heathenish diversity is an inevitable reality in todays society. We ar approach with an increasingly several(a) tolerant community and a diverse group of health tending erectrs. refining is a dynamic and complex phenomena that most examine as both(prenominal)thing that describes a particular ethnic group (Mitchell, Fioravanti, Founds, Hoffmann, & Liebman, 2010). Culture influences a persons behaviors, practices, norms, customs, and beliefs on health, illness, and health upkeep. agree to Freidman, Bowden, and Jones (2003), people view socialization as a model for our room of behaving, living, and feeling. There is an make upence associated between culture and health practices. As the world becomes more diverse with migration, it is important that nurses and some early(a) health plow workers gain and admit the assorted cultures they encounter.The original U.S. population exhibits unparalleled ethnic and socio heathenish diversity, yet the breast feeding workforce fails to reflect the current state of the nations diversity. According to the U.S. Department of health and Human Services, the U.S. nursing workforce is predominantly White/Non-Hispanic and female (U.S. Department of health and Human Services, health Resources and Services Administration, 2010). Nurses face the challenge to take on the health attention inescapably of a heathenishly diverse population while promoting diversity in the workforce. Nurses promote diversity in the workforce through educating nurses on cultural sensitivity and competency. heathen competence in nursing is evolving as a standard of look at. It is essential that nurses and other health c are countenancers expend association of various social and cultural influences in the assist setting to promotepatient-centered care (Mitchell, Fioravanti, Founds, Hoffmann, & Libman, 2010). It is necessary to give notice and recognize the relevan ce of diversity in the acute care setting to set standards of culturally fitting nursing care, and to improve tar of care through improving and meeting these standards.It is important that health care providers not scarce embrace cultural diversity, but as well as strive for cultural competence in set up to ensure that all patients receive the best possible care. It is imperative that health care overlords integrate a patients cultural beliefs and practices into his or her treatment and recovery invention. Health care is rapidly changing. Patients and families are more receptive to these changes in modern medicine if their traditions and practices are integrated (Chater, 2008). ethnic competence not only pertains to race, sex, age, and ethni city, but also encompasses other inseparable factors of culture such as economic, political, religious, psychosocial, and biological conditions (Stein, 2010). Delivery of culturally competent care entails promotion of the principles of so cial justice. According to the Ameri disregard Nurses affiliation (2001), respect for the inherent worth, dignity, and human rights of every individual is a fundamental principle that underlies all nursing practice (Ameri contribute Nurses Association, 2001). These principles model the standards in providing culturally competent care. They also guide nurses decisions pertaining to patient care. It is crucial that nurses and other health care providers examine their suffer beliefs and nurses. They must determine how their beliefs and values influence their interactions with patients, families, and colleagues.The concepts of cultural aspiration, cultural skill, cultural appreciation, cultural knowledge, and cultural acquaintances all produce cultural competency. Motivation of the nurse to become culturally proficient leads to acceptance of cultural diversity. heathenish awareness is the profound self-exploration of an individuals personal cultural background. This includes identi fying ones cultural assumptions, biases, and prejudices of different cultures. The capability of assessing and assembling relevantly cultural facts that are remarkable to the patients presenting problemrefers to cultural skill. Cultural knowledge includes both seeking for and acquiring a strong educational foundation of the existing multicultural population that includes health beliefs and practices. And, lastly, the process that encourages nurses to interact face to face with diverse cultures is cultural encounter. culturally competent care is reached by incorporating these concepts. By doing so, there is a belittle in health disparities and an increase in the potential for better outcomes and relevant care (Campinha-Bacote, 2003).The HHS Disparities sufficeion plan was initiated by the Department of Health and Human Services. This plan coordinates with other agencies to reach its goal of promoting health equating by using provisions set forth from Healthy People 2020 and th e Affordable Care Act (HHS, 2011). According to HHS (2011), ethnic groups such as Hispanics, Asian Americans, American Indians, and African Americans take up love higher death rate rates than other ethnic groups. The HHS Disparities Action Plan identifies factors such as poverty, socioeconomic status, lack of advance to health care and racially driven disparities to promote safe patient outcomes and health equality.Several circumstantial components establish standards of practice contribute to an organizations capacity to provide culturally competent care. These components include critical reflection, transcultural nursing knowledge, social justice, cross-cultural practice and communication, patient advocacy, health care systems, multicultural workforce education, policy development, training, and evidenced-based practice and research (Brady, 2010).Health care facilities need to ensure that tools such as multilingual teaching materials and interpreters are in place to effective ly provide care. The use of cultural knowledge in composing a patients plan of care is a way to value diversity. Cultural competency is a continuous learning experience. Health care facilities may collaborate with professional organizations to establish best evidence-based practice in order to develop policies and standardized culturally competent care and reduce disparities (Brady, 2010).So, how does one become culturally competent? The initial step to becoming culturally competent is self-awareness. We must be aware of and value our own culture in order to identify with and recognize the value of the culture of others. We do this by critically reflecting on ourselves. Examining and reflecting on ones own ethnicity, belief structure, and values determine the impact on our ability to deliver culturally competent care (Brady, 2010). A Nurses who understand themselves are able to understand and appreciate cultural differences. By doing so, the nurse can establish ideal ways to render effective health care run. An example would be that of a patient from the Far East. A nurse caring for a Chinese patient must appreciate that the Chinese adhere to traditional better practices such as acupuncture, meditation, and homeopathy.Knowing this, the nurse forget tone- origination to integrate these traditional practices into the patients treatment plan. The nurse can integrate acupuncture as an alternative treatment for pain management. A nurse who appreciates cultural diversity will strive to understand the cultural practices and beliefs of that patient and integrate applicable elements of the patients culture in the plan of care. chronicle of the plan of care and identifying the inevitably and expectations of the patient and family will aide in reducing tension, hence, develop a trust between the nurse, patient, and family.breast feeding is making advances in promoting and implementing culturally competent care. Transcultural nursing bon ton is a professional nursin g organization involved in ensuring cultural competence is being include in the curriculum of nursing schools throughout the nation. The Transcultural Nursing Society is also involved in ensuring that curriculums are providing nurses with the necessary knowledge base to ensure cultural competence in their practice (Transcultural Nursing Society, 2013).Another organization, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), provides guidelines to enhance culturally competent care in health care facilities. This organization recognizes the disparities in health care delivery due to linguistic differences. They also recognize that there is prevalence in racial and ethnic disparities in health care delivery in the United States. The AHRQ points out that culturally and linguisticallydiverse groups, as well as individuals with check proficiency in English are disadvantaged in the health care system. These groups often experience poor health status and outcomes by accessing inadequate medical care in regards to quality condescension consistent insurance status and income.Policy makers, civil rights groups, and health care facilities are responsible to understand the reasons behind persistent disparities and implement effective strategies to eliminate them. One way to do this is to improve cultural and linguistic competence of health care providers (Wilby, 2009). Linguistic competence is the ability of health care facilities to provide individuals with limited English proficiency appropriate oral and written language services. Health care facilities can hire bilingual/bicultural staff, train health care providers, or hire translators to assist during communication.The National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services, (CLAS), standards are intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health care disparities by establishing a blueprint for health and health care organizations (OMH, 2013). There are quadruplet cat egories under which these standards fall principle standard governance, leadership, and workforce communication and language assistance and engagement, continuous improvement, and accountability. Health care professionals can make the production of positive health outcomes for distinct populations possible by customizing services to a persons verbal communication preference and way of life.Pursuing health uprightness must remain at the forefront of healthcares efforts, with continuous identification of dignity, respect, and quality of care as rights of all, and not the civil liberties of some. According to OHM (2013), culture defines how individuals receive health care information, and how individuals exercise their rights and protections. It is what individuals remember a health dilemma, and how individuals express their indications and anxieties regarding the crisis.Holistic care involves designing care to meet the individual needs of the patients, to care for the whole. This in cludes considering cultural differences when planning care. Barriers to culturally competent interactions entail verbal communication, communication approach,individuality, and sometimes a lack of respect for the patients preferences and needs. Language is a method by which a patient approaches the health care system, becomes aware of services, and formulates determination in relation to his or her health performance (Woloshin, Schwartz, Katz, & Welch, 1997). communicating endorses the opportunity for people of various backgrounds to learn from each other. Put the patients desire to understand first and make certain that they receive a chance to describe, in their own words, the information regarding their health care concerns and plans are fundamental initial measures in eliminating descrepancies and enhancing quality of care.Cultural competence requires people to develop an awareness of the differences of other people and their cultural personality groups. One is not capable of be ing culturally competent without considering the differences. Cultural competence does not involve giving up ones own beliefs, values, or practices (Elliott, 2011). According to Elliott (2011), we can crack the cultural competency code by asking questions, listening, and aligning our attitude.The late Madeleine Leininger was a pioneer in the influence of culture on health care. Leininger was a Transcultural Nurse. She advocated two preeminent standards that nurses can employ in caring for patients from various diverse cultures. First, preserve an extensive, independent, and open attitude in regards to each patient. Secondly, evade the perception that all patients are alike. Leininger believed that by pursuing these principles, we can free ourselves to discovering the way others envision health and illness, and develop relationships that are therapeutic. She viewed every clinical experience as cross-cultural (Leininger, 2002). renewal at the WorkplaceI work in a infirmary in the sma ll city of tarpon Springs, FL. Tarpon Springs is located in Pinellas County. According to the 2010 census, the population was 23,484. Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek Americans than both other U.S. city. The city of Tarpon Springs has a total area of 16.9 public square mile. 9.1 square miles being land, and 7.7 square milesbeing water. Tarpon Springs has a series of bayous which feed into the Gulf of Mexico, and was first settled around 1876 by white and black fishermen and farmers. It got its name because some visitors spotted tarpon jumping out of the waters. The first local clean business was founded by John Cheyney.In the 1890s, a few Greek immigrants arrived to work in the sponge industry. It was in 1905 that John Cocoris introduced sponge diving to Tarpon Springs and recruited divers and crew members from Greece. Tarpon Springs became the largest sponge dock industry in the world. Many restaurants serving traditional Greek cuisine line the streets of Tarp on Springs, as well as quaint boutiques. Nearby beaches are popular for swimming, picnics, boating and windsurfing. Viewing bottlenose whale dolphin are a favorite past-time of many.Tarpon Springs is also known for its Greek Orthodox festivities, including the January 6 Epiphany celebration that includes youths diving for a cross and the blessing of the boats and waters. This celebration attracts Greek Americans from across the country.The racial organisation of the city is 90.07% white, 6.15% African American, 0.29% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.81% from other races. Hispanic or Latino is 4.33% of the population. 11.8% of the total population report their ancestry as Greek, which is included in the white statistic of 90.07%. 8.87% report speaking Greek at home, while 3.46% admit to speaking Spanish, and another 1.09% French. There are 91.8 males for every 100 females. The median income for a household is $38,251. About 7.7% of families and 9.8% of the po pulation are below the poverty level.The hospital which I work is the only hospital in Tarpon Springs. The hospital has 168 beds which comprise 150 acute care beds, 18 transitional care beds, 14 ER beds, 9 ORs, 2 C-Section rooms, and 2 cathlabs. Adventist Health Systems acquired the hospital from University Health approximately 4 years ago. As you can see from the above demographics, this hospital serves a diverse population and community. From a religious perspective AHS is of the Adventist religion, however, welcomes, serves, and does not discriminate against any religion.The primary language is English, however, variouslanguages such as Greek, Spanish, French and Italian are spoken as well. Unfortunately, there are some patients who only speak their native language, and do not speak, nor understand English. For the most part, the hospital experiences minimal obstruction in assisting the patients and families in translation. Recently, the hospital contracted with a translation se rvice using the internet. The hospital does provide admission and treatment information sheets and consents in other languages, as well.Our hospital is dedicated to serve the multicultural community of Tarpon Springs. Our food service caters to different cultures on a daily basis. Of course, Tuesday is Taco Tuesday. However, other ethnic foods are offered daily such as Greek, Italian, and Chinese cuisine as well as Soul Food and food that is in accordance with the beliefs of the Seventh Day Adventist religion, which excludes pork and shellfish from their diet.Chaplains and different religious figures are available to visit and pray with patients and families. Every Friday at sunset, a prayer recognizing the beginning of the Sabbath is heard over the intercom. Every Saturday evening at sunset, another prayer is heard over the intercom to recognize the end of the Sabbath. All committees, meetings and gatherings are started with prayer. There is signage throughout the hospital to portr ay our missionExtending the healing ministry of Christ.I feel confident in saying that this hospital does follow Culture Care Standards. Signage is stick on in all patient care areas and public areas regarding the hospitals standards. Signage includes anything from Equal Opportunity Employer to EMTALA. Because the workforce is very multicultural, the hospital is at an advantage at meeting these standards. There is one thing that all employees know we are family despite our cultural differences. I am very proud to say that I work for this hospital.decisivenessThe United States is a melting pot, and is becoming more and more diverse every day. Recognizing that diverse cultures exist is the first step in decreasing health disparities, and providing the best possible care toindividuals. Health care workers, including nurses, need to practice self-awareness. By becoming aware of self, they can then embrace other cultures and the needs of their patients. It is important for all health ca re professionals to understand the culture and beliefs of the patient population which they serve, in order to integrate these beliefs in his or her practice, whereby enhancing the quality of care provided to all patients.Education and training is vital in ensuring that health care professionals attain clinical excellence and strong therapeutic relations with the patients they serve. We cannot dictate the communities that we serve. Cultural competence does not mean giving up ones own beliefs or values. It nitty-gritty opening eyes to the beliefs and values of others. The need for health care professionals to integrate cultural competence will allow delivery of optimal care, treatment, satisfaction, and better patient outcomes.ReferencesAmerican Nurses Association. (2001). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements.Retrieved from http//nursebooks.orgBrady, J.M. (2010). Cultural nursing implications in an integrated world. daybook ofPeriAnesthesia Nursing, 25(6), 409-412 . doi 10.1016/j.jopan.2010.10.005Campinha-Bacote, J. (2003, January). Many faces Addressing diversity in health care. OnlineJournal of Issues in Nursing, 8(1), Manuscript 2. Retrieved fromwww.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAperiodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume82003/No1Jan2003/AddressingDiversityinHealthCare.aspxChater, K. (2008). Palliative care in a multicultural society A challenge for western ethics.Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 26(2), 95.Department of Health and Human Services. (2011). 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