Response to Letter to the Editor

Thank you for your insightful Letter to the Editor written in response to the Legal Issues and Risk Management column "Maintaining Safe and Cost-effective Staffing Models During the Current Economic Downturn" (April/June 2009). A critically important point that Ms Durden makes is the need for leadership training (charge nurses/front-line nurses) in an era of cost containment and budget cuts. Successful development of critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills reduces error rates and fosters a safe environment of care.1 Nurses are indeed the front line of defense in preventing sentinel events. Nurse leaders and healthcare administrators must recognize this principle and design appropriate continuing education opportunities in leadership for all registered nurses. Ms Durden provides inspiration and a strong argument for a rational approach to maintaining an ultra-safe environment of care.

-Laura Mahlmeister, PhD, RN

Contributing Editor, Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing

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