Primum Non Nocere

1. Primum Non Nocere Mrs V Pieterse RN.RM.OT Adm.CH SATS Honorary Life President

2. Primum Non Nocerum • Latin for “First do no Harm” • Principal precept of Emergency Medical services • Origin has been traced back as far as 1624

3. Humanitarian responsibilities • Rights of Citizens must be respected and protected • Humanitarian responsibility is entrenched in the Constitution • Humanitarian principles and standards of behaviour are found in the Code of Conduct • It includes the core principle of • ”First Do no Harm”

4. UNICEF PRINCIPLES Humanitarian Principal Human suffering must be addressed with attention to most vulnerable. Dignity of all seeking assistance must be protected The right to give and receive assistance Help must not be denied because of Political ideologies

5. Neutrality • This means that those rendering assistance must not take sides ,based on ,racial ,religious, or political beliefs.

6. Impartiality • Aid is given to all those in need . Priority is always given to those most affected . No discrimination is made based on gender, sex age or ethnicity.

7. Do No/Less Harm • Those rendering service must minimize harm simply by offering assistance • Assistance should help in ways that are supportive of recovery and long term development

8. Accountability • There is more than one stakeholder • Beneficiary-Patient • Local Authority • Donor- Government • Aid Giving Agency-Health Care Provider • We are accountable , for our actions as well as the safety and well-being of those in our care

9. Participation • It is important never to exclude those affected, from participating in decision making that affects their existence. • Respect must be shown for customs ,culture differences and beliefs. • Aid given must be sustainable, and enhance the right to decision making.

10. ‘’ Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible ‘’Dalai Lama Our Prime purpose in life is to help others ,and if we, cannot help them ,at-least not hurt them

11. Paul W Sharkey • ‘’That it is commonly believed that the principle ‘’First Do No Harm’’ originated in the medical world, however it is also a moral principle , and forms the very foundation of two of the world’s major religions ‘’

12. ‘’Anyone who has any care or concern for him/herself will take great care not to harm him/herself, by harming others.’’Socrates

13. Why Do We Harm

14. According to Sharkey • We do harm because of some misguided emotion such as anger ,fear ,greed or jealousy, but because we are ignorant of the consequences. • If we are able to except the responsibility for our behaviour , and learn from them, we can improve the odds of doing harm unintentionally.

15. ‘’The very first requirement in a hospital is that it should do no harm.’’ Florence Nightingale

16. SATS Journal of June 2008 ‘’White Heart’’ is the universal symbol for nursing. Spirit of caring Commitment Prevention of Harm

17. It is of great concern to me when I hear of patients receiving poor care or no care at all.

18. ‘’ An elderly man returning to the care centre where he lives, after a short visit to a private clinic, is now covered with bedsores !!! Basic back and pressure care.

19. A Mother severely traumatized by her young son’s accident and resulting severe head-injury is told by ICU sister that if she wants his mouth cleaned she best do it herself as she, the sister does not know how to do it. !!! Basic mouth care.

20. A Patient on discharge from a state health facility refuses to speak to her family until such time as she has, had a bath ,as the hospital , ablution facilities were unhygienic and bed-baths were never done. Water for washing was not offered !!! Basic Hygiene.

21. An elderly lady unable to assist herself with eating divulges how hungry she was after having a procedure done ,but food was placed out of reach and removed before she could get the necessary attention or help. !!! Basic Intake-Output.

22. A circulating nurse tells her scrub-sister to ****** off. !!! Basic Respect.

23. During a trauma procedure the circulating nurse reads a novel sitting behind the anaesthetic machine, not observing either the sister, anaesthetist or surgeon’s needs. !!! Basic observation.

24. I have learned that people will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

25. Trust • According to Webster Trust means : • Reliance on the character • Ability • Strength and truth • It is making a deposit or investment

26. Collins English Dictionary Trust means : To place confidence in someone. Reliance and confidence in the truth. An honest reliable person. To manage something for benefit of another.

27. ‘’Wherever the art of medicine is practiced, and loved, there is also love of Humanity.’’ Hippocrates

28. Do it with commitment and enthusiasm. • With a smile on your face. • Not missing one opportunity. • Serve as a inspiration to others. • Your positive attitude will bring up-liftment. • Have courage purpose and direction.

29. Serve with wisdom know which path to take next. • Walk with love and integrity. • We as peri-operative practitioners wear our responsibility with pride, serve the people of this country with our hearts, • Our knowledge, • Our time, every day of every year.

30. ‘’ I have learned that even when you have no more to give, when your services are called upon, when someone cries out for help, YOU will find the strength.’’

32. Peri-operative practitioners have strong leadership qualities • These must be used , not only to protect the profession but more so to protect the patient in ensuring safe quality care. • Every peri-operative practitioner must speak out about matters that influence or hinder the care given to a patient.

33. Technology must be used to the advantage of the profession but more so to the advantage of those in our care

34. Never allow ‘’The Nightingale pledge to become just another dusty and faded hanging on the wall.

35. Remember !!! Do no harm and leave the world a better place .