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Profiles IN LEADERSHIP

Meeting the Challenges of Systemic Racism and the Global Pandemic

In our recently pub- scored in the current pandem- families need and deserve a healthcare ICU volume are viewed as imposing bar-
lished editorial in the ic, with recent data pointing system that provides high-quality care riers as we strive to maintain the highest
American Journal of to poorer outcomes for peo- for all patients, that addresses social quality care and evidence-based prac-
Critical Care, Dr. Aluko ple of color in COVID-19. determinants of health and health tices. The commitment of clinicians to
Hope and I highlight sys- Social determinants of health inequities head on, and that seeks to incorporating innovative approaches to
temic racism and the glob- disproportionately affect eliminate health disparities. meeting patient and family needs in
al pandemic as challenges black and brown people, and The COVID-19 pandemic has loomed these extraordinary circumstances is
to health care providers’ pervade every environment, large over health care throughout 2020, truly inspiring.
personal, professional, and from local neighborhoods to and will continue to influence nursing Systemic racism and the COVID-19
societal responses and nations. practice for the foreseeable future. global pandemic pose exceptional chal-
responsibilities. We also We must advocate for our Knowledge generated from prior lenges to society, but also provide oppor-
assert that these challenges individual patients and their research can inform our response to tunities for changes that have potential
serve to affirm underlying BY CINDY L. MUNRO, families, ensuring that we problems encountered in the current to improve human well-being now and
values that drive practice, PHD, RN, ANP-BC, treat each person with digni- pandemic. The principles of excellence in the future. Foundational values of
and can provide direction FAAN, FAANP, FAAAS ty and respect. We must also in nursing care remain foundational for respect for every person’s worth and of
for the future. The editori- accept a responsibility to care during and after the pandemic. social justice, coupled with a commit-
al’s take-home messages are briefly sum- work to make society more just for all. Clinical experience and emerging ment to improving patient outcomes and
marized here, and free access to the full Commitment to respect for persons and research each make important contribu- to maintaining safe and healthy work
editorial is available online at https://aacn- to social justice underpins all of the tions to meeting this challenge. environments, can enable us to emerge
journals.org/ajcconline/article/doi/10.4037 health professions and is explicit in the Family-centered care, palliative care, from the current crises stronger.
/ajcc2020139/31080/Meeting-Today-s- American Nurses Association Code of healthy work environments, and meas-
Challenges-All-In. Ethics for Nurses, which forms the ethi- ures to mitigate clinicians’ moral distress Dr. Cindy Munro is dean and professor,
Nurses have firsthand experience with cal bedrock of the nursing profession. all have robust evidence supporting their School of Nursing and Health Studies,
the negative effects of health disparities on Three of the Code’s 9 provisions contributions to better patient outcomes. University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida,
health, illness, and recovery in our (Provisions 1, 8, and 9) directly address Pressing issues related to infection con- and is coeditor in chief of the American
patients. These effects have been under- diversity and inclusion. Our patients and trol, high patient acuity, and surges in Journal of Critical Care.

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16 August 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News