A nurse observes a nursing assistant (NAP) fail to wash her hands before and after placing a patient on a bedpan.When giving negative feedback to the NAP,the nurse should:

A) Be certain to offer constructive criticism about the task and do so in private
B) Ask the unit manager to be present to document responses of both parties
C) Call a meeting of all NAPs and stress handwashing to the entire group
D) Keep a record of the NAP's actions and save them for her annual formal review

It is important to provide negative feedback in private.It is not necessary for the nurse manager to be present because staff nurses are responsible for delegating to and supervising NAPs.The nurse should not call a meeting.It would be a waste of time for those who are already washing their hands properly,and it dilutes the effect of the feedback to the NAP who is not washing her hands.She might think,"Oh,everybody does it; no big deal." It is important to allow some time every day for timely feedback.This allows the worker to know what she is doing right and wrong,and allows her to make corrective actions.The nurse should not allow this NAP to continue with her handwashing errors until her annual formal review,because this can pose a threat to patient safety and increase the risk of transmitting infectious microbes.