We are living in a world of differences and each nation has their distinct culture and identity throughout their existence. These differences should not be a barrier to achieve a safe healthcare but rather a bridge to provide the best quality healthcare to all the citizen around the world.
This discussion will talk about the Cultural Safety in Cardiovascular Nursing Care and how we, as cardiovascular nurses, can be an instrument to bridge these differences to provide safer nursing care to all patients regardless of their cultural origin and background.
As defined by William in 1999, Cultural Safety is an environment, which is safe for people, where there is no assault, challenge or denial of their identity, of who they are and what they need. It is also about shared respect, shared meaning, shared knowledge and experience, of learning together with dignity, and truly listening.
This phenomenon has been in the healthcare system for quite a few years and has unfortunately been neglected for some time, even in cardiovascular care. As nurses and member of healthcare team, we are dedicated to being an advocate for our patients in all aspects. I have been in healthcare service for twelve (12) years now and based on my experiences, as a staff nurse, and as a patient, I have found that cultural safety is not always being observed.
The objectives of this discussion are to increase the awareness of cardiovascular nurse/s around the world about cultural safety and how it affects the cardiovascular care along the process; strengthen the current practices among cardiovascular nurse/s in line with transcultural care to culturally diverse patients and clients within the scope of their practice; and to mobilize the healthcare organization in terms of innovative approaches in providing culturally safe services to our beloved patients within the cardiovascular hospital and to the community as well.
Moreover, this discussion will empower cardiovascular nurses and other allied healthcare professional, and healthcare organization to be culturally safe in front of our beloved patients and it will also engage our patients to fully participate themselves for the promotion of health and prevention of illness, especially in cardiovascular care as a result.
A discussion of this topic can be found in the recording Global Perspectives in Cardiovascular Nursing (2021) under Best Practices and Local Applications of Advocacy.