Standards of Clinical Practice Overview

What are standards of clinical nursing practice?

Clinical standards are defined as “authoritative statements that describe a level of care or performance common to the profession of nursing by which the quality of nursing practice can be judged.”  The standards describe the responsibilities of registered nurses and they are a reflection of the values/priorities of the profession.  General Clinical Practice Standards apply to the care that is provided to all patients in every setting, whereas more specific standards apply to nurses who are specialized in a specific area of practice. (ANA, 1994)

Legal standards of care determine the basis for liability where a breach of duty, which has lead to patient injury, has been alleged.  The nursing standards of care as well as the standards of professional performance are the basis for determining the legal standard of care in cases where negligence is alleged.  (ANA, 1994)