Best practice: an opportunity to actively improve patient outcomes

Abstract

The theme for Nurses Day 2015: Nurses, the force for change: care, effective, cost effective. How can we ensure that this theme is really the inspiration that will guide our actions during the next 12 months, and return us to the essence of our profession? Patients and the needs of communities must remain the focus of healthcare delivery, and it is of the utmost importance that nurses provide effective care cost-effectively. Prof Busisiwe Bengu, South African Nursing Council Chairperson, delivered this message on Nurses Day: “It stands to reason that nurses have to lead healthcare delivery this year through efficient service delivery, effective management, (being) an effective health workforce and (embracing) the value of nursing”. She added a powerful message: “Let us, as nurses, claim our caring and cost-effective position while carrying the burden of our healthcare system through task shifting”.