Using an Early Warning Score for Nurse Shift Patient Handover: Before-and-after Study

PurposeThis study aimed to examine the impact of using an early warning score for shift patient handover on nurse and patient outcomes.MethodsA before-and-after study was conducted with nurses and patients in three general wards in a tertiary teaching hospital. A short-time nurse education on the National Early Warning Score 2 and the use of a checklist for score calculation were performed from June 4, 2019 to June 30, 2019. Outcomes of nurse response (safety competency, handover quality, teamwork, safety climate, and documentation of vital signs and clinical concerns), patient response (deterioration occurrence postadmission, hospitalization length, and discharge status), and adverse events (mortality, cardiopulmonary arrest, and unplanned intensive care unit admission) were measured using questionnaires and medical record reviews. Data from 89 nurses and 388 patients were analyzed.ResultsRegarding nurse outcomes, handover quality (p < .001), teamwork (p = .004), safety climate (p = .018), and recordings of vital signs (p = .047) and clinical concerns (p = .008) increased after early warning score use. However, no significant change in the safety competency scores was observed. Regarding patient outcomes, there were no significant changes in the occurrence of deterioration, hospitalization length, discharge status, and occurrence of adverse events between preintervention and postintervention.ConclusionDespite no significant changes in patient outcomes, using a simple, evidence-based early warning score for patient handover enhanced socio-cultural factors for patient safety, with improved patient monitoring. The findings provide evidence that supports the active implementation of an early warning score to improve patient safety.     

A study to assess the influence of interprofessional point of care simulation training on safety culture in the operating theatre environment of a university teaching hospital

Interprofessional point of care or in situ simulation is used as a training tool in our operating theatre directorate with the aim of improving crisis behaviours. This study aimed to assess the impact of interprofessional point of care simulation on the safety culture of operating theatres. A validated Safety Attitude Questionnaire was administered to staff members before each simulation scenario and then re-administered to the same staff members after 6–12 months. Pre- and post-training Safety Attitude Questionnaire—Operating Room (SAQ-OR) scores were compared using paired sample t-tests. Analysis revealed a statistically significant perceived improvement in both safety (p < 0.001) and teamwork (p = 0.013) climate scores (components of safety culture) 6–12 months after interprofessional simulation training. A growing body of literature suggests that a positive safety culture is associated with improved patient outcomes. Our study supports the implementation of point of care simulation as a useful intervention to improve safety culture in theatres.     

The characteristics and factors associated with omitted nursing care in the intensive care unit: A cross-sectional study

IntroductionPrior research showed that work environment features in acute care settings influence nurses’ capacity to provide care and impacts patient outcomes (e.g., falls). However, little is known about this phenomenon in the intensive care unit. The objectives of this study were to describe the characteristics of omitted nursing care, and to examine the associations between work environment features, omitted nursing care and nurse-reported outcomes in the intensive care unit.MethodsAn electronic cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in the province of Quebec, Canada. Over September 2021, nurses were asked to complete the Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT), the Intensive Care Unit Omitted Nursing Care instrument (ICU-ONC) and to report their perceptions of nurse-reported outcomes (e.g., quality of care). The associations between these variables were estimated using multivariable cluster-robust regression models, adjusted for nurse and hospital characteristics.ResultsA total of 493 nurses from 42 distinct hospitals participated to this study. On average, nurses felt that their work environment was acceptable, and that the quality and safety of patient care was good. Basic care activities (e.g., mobilisation) were most frequently reported as omitted as opposed to those related to surveillance and medical interventions. In multivariable analyses, higher work environment scores were associated with reduced omitted nursing care scores (p < 0.001) and better ratings for nurse-reported outcomes (p < 0.001). Also, higher omitted nursing care scores were associated with more negative perceptions about the quality and safety of care (p < 0.001).ConclusionOur study portrays the characteristics and some factors associated with omitted nursing care in the intensive care unit. Further research should determine whether intensive care nurses’ reports of organisational features and omitted nursing care are associated with objectively captured patient outcomes.     

Effectiveness of a training intervention to improve communication between/awareness of team roles: A randomized clinical trial

BackgroundInterprofessional teamwork training of nursing undergraduates is essential to improving healthcare. The absence of clear role definitions and poor interprofessional communications have been listed as the main reasons behind abandonment of the profession by recently graduated nurses.PurposeThe aim of this parallel randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the impact of Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) role-play training on interprofessional teamwork skills (role-related and communication-related) and non-technical skills (patient assessment, patient intervention, patient safety, and critical thinking).MethodThe intervention group were taught teamwork skills, role and task assignment skills, and use of the SBAR worksheet in a 1-hour role-play training session, while the control group received conventional lecture-based training. Teamwork and non-technical skills were then assessed in high-fidelity simulation scenarios using the KidSIM Team Performance Scale (teamwork skills) and the Clinical Simulation Evaluation Tool (non-technical skills). Cohen's d (d) was used to examine effect size differences.ResultsCompared to the control group, the intervention group improved in 4 teamwork items – ‘verbalize out loud’ (p < 0.001, d = 0.99), ‘paraphrase’ (p < 0.001, d = 0.77), ‘cross-monitoring’ (p < 0.001, d = 0.72), and ‘role clarity’ (p = 0.002, d = 0.66) – and in a single non-technical skill (patient intervention: p = 0.004, d = 0.66), while also reporting greater confidence in performing patient assessments (p = 0.02, d = 0.56).ConclusionsRole-play and SBAR training for undergraduate nurses improved patient intervention, enhanced information sharing in an interprofessional team, and raised awareness of their own and other team members' roles.     

Safety culture in intensive care internationally and in Australia: A narrative review of the literature

ObjectiveAssessment of safety culture in health care is of particular relevance in the complex intensive care setting, where the effects of human error can have catastrophic consequences. The aim of this review was to examine the literature on safety culture in intensive care units (ICUs) and specifically, to explore the state of knowledge regarding safety culture in the context of Australian ICUs.MethodsA search was conducted of key databases for studies published in English between January 2008 and December 2017 using terms ‘safety culture’, ‘safety climate’, ‘safety attitude’, ‘intensive care’, ‘ICU’ and ‘critical care’. Studies were included if they presented original research, utilised the teamwork and safety climate factors of a quantitative survey tool to assess safety culture, the sample population included participants working in an adult intensive care, and the findings were reported in the context of intensive care.ResultsOf the 36 studies identified, two were conducted in Australia. The studies demonstrate a rapid expansion in safety culture assessment globally. Three levels of safety culture application in intensive care were identified, including safety culture assessment, effect of an intervention on safety culture, and evaluation of the association between safety culture and structural, process and outcomes measures. The use of targeted safety culture domains is emerging. Common findings included variation in perceptions of safety culture between ICUs, unit and hospital management, and professional groups.ConclusionThough the assessment of safety culture in ICUs has been an area of prolific research internationally over the past ten years, the Australian context is limited and could be advanced through further research, including the effect on safety culture of interventions, and to establish the association between safety culture and patient safety outcomes. Longitudinal studies to demonstrate sustained intervention effects on safety culture should be considered.     

An Emergency Department–Based Intensive Care Unit is Associated with Decreased Hospital and Intensive Care Unit Utilization for Diabetic Ketoacidosis

BackgroundMany emergency department (ED) patients in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are admitted to an inpatient intensive care unit (ICU), while ICU capacity is under increasing strain. The Emergency Critical Care Center (EC3), a hybrid ED-ICU setting, opened with the goal of providing rapid initiation of ICU care in the ED.ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the impact of an ED-ICU on disposition and safety outcomes for adult ED patients in DKA.MethodsThis was a retrospective pre–post cohort of ED visits from 2012–2018 at a single academic medical center. Adult ED patients in DKA (pH < 7.30, HCO₃ < 18 mEq/L, anion gap > 14, and glucose > 250 mg/dL) immediately before (pre-EC3) and after (post-EC3) opening of an ED-ICU were identified. ED disposition and safety data were collected and analyzed.ResultsWe identified 631 patient encounters: 217 pre-EC3 and 414 post-EC3. Baseline demographics were similar between cohorts. Fewer patients in the post-EC3 cohort were admitted to an ICU (11.6% vs. 23.5%, p < 0.001, number needed to treat [NNT] = 8) or general floor bed (58.0% vs. 73.3%, p < 0.001, NNT = 6), and more were discharged from the ED (27.1% vs. 1.4%, p < 0.001, NNT = 4). Rates of hypokalemia (10.1% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.08) and admission to non-ICU with transfer to ICU within 24 h (0.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.30) did not differ.ConclusionManagement of patients with DKA in an ED-ICU was associated with decreased ICU and hospital utilization with similar safety outcomes. Managing rapidly reversible critical illnesses in an ED-ICU may help obviate increasing strain facing many health care systems.     

NASCAR pit-stop model improves delivery room and admission efficiency and outcomes for infants <27 weeks’ gestation

AimTo evaluate a new process based on teamwork in a manner similar to the race car pit stop on organization and efficiency during the “Golden Hours” for extremely preterm infants.MethodsA team designed an improved process focused on checklists, preparation, assigning roles, and best practices, for the care of infants <27 weeks’ gestation in the delivery room (DR) through admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Clinical outcomes 2 years before and after implementation were analyzed. A survey was administered to NICU staff prior to and 14 months after implementation. The survey assessed organization and efficiency in the DR and during the admission process of the target population.ResultsThere were 62 inborn infants prior to and 90 infants after implementation with overall survival of 90.3% and 86.6%, respectively (p = 0.61). Infants were more stable on admission with a mean arterial blood pressure equal to or greater than their gestational age in the post intervention group compared to the pre-cohort (76% vs 57%, p = 0.02) and discharged home at a lower mean postmenstrual age (39.0 ± 2.2 vs 40.1 ± 3.5 weeks, p = 0.04) The survey demonstrated improvement in assessment of roles being clearly defined in the DR and in the organization and the efficiency both in the DR and during the NICU admission (p < 0.05).ConclusionsA systematic approach to the care of the <27 weeks’ gestation neonate increased staff perception of improved organization and efficiency in the DR through admission processes and improved outcomes.     

Association Between Do Not Resuscitate/Do Not Intubate Orders and Emergency Medicine Residents’ Decision Making

BackgroundResearch has shown that do not resuscitate (DNR) and do not intubate (DNI) orders may be construed by physicians to be more restrictive than intended by patients. Previous studies of physicians found that DNR/DNI orders are associated with being less willing to provide invasive care.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess the influence of code status on emergency residents’ decision-making regarding offering invasive procedures for those patients with DNR/DNI compared with their full code counterparts.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide survey of emergency medicine residents using an instrument of 4 clinical vignettes involving patients with serious illnesses. Two versions of the survey, survey A and survey B, alternated the DNR/DNI and full code status for the vignettes. Residency leaders were contacted in August 2018 to distribute the survey to their residents.ResultsThree hundred and three residents responded from across the country. The code status was strongly associated with decisions to intubate or perform CPR and influenced the willingness to offer other invasive procedures. DNR/DNI status was associated with less frequent willingness to place central venous catheters (88.2% for DNR/DNI vs. 97.2% for full code, p < 0.001), admit patients to the intensive care unit (89.9% vs. 99.0%, p < 0.001), offer dialysis (79.3% vs. 98.0%, p < 0.001), and surgical consultation (78.7% vs. 94.2%, p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn a nationwide survey, emergency medicine residents were less willing to provide invasive procedures for patients with DNR/DNI status, including the placement of central venous catheters, admission to the intensive care unit, and consultation for dialysis and surgery.     

The role of the quick sequential organ failure assessment score (qSOFA) and modified early warning score (MEWS) in the pre-hospitalization prediction of sepsis prognosis

ObjectiveMany biomarkers and scoring systems to make clinical predictions about the prognosis of sepsis have been investigated. In this study, we aimed to assess the use of the quick sequential organ failure assessment score (qSOFA) and modified early warning score (MEWS) scoring systems in emergency health care services for sepsis to predict intensive care hospitalization and 28-day mortality.MethodPatients who arrived by ambulance at the Emergency Department (ED) of Dışkapı YıldırımBeyazıt Training and Research Hospital between January 2017 and December 2019, and who were diagnosed with sepsis and admitted to the hospital were included in the study. Demographic data and physiological parameters from 112 ambulance case delivery forms were recorded.QSOFA and MEWS scores were calculated from vital parameters.ResultsOf the 266 patients diagnosed with sepsis, 50% (n = 133) were female, and the mean age was 74.8 ± 13. The difference between the rate of intensive care (ICU) hospitalization and mortality for patients with a high MEWS and qSOFA score and patients whose MEWS and qSOFA score were lower was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Thus, the criteria for MEWS and qSOFA could determine ICU hospitalization and early mortality. Those with a high MEWS value had a mortality rate approximately 1.24 times higher than those with a low MEWS value (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.110–1.385), while those with a high qSOFA score had a mortality rate approximately 2.0 times higher than those with a low qSOFA score (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.446–2.693). Those with a high MEWS were 1.34 times more likely than hose with a lower MEWS to require ICU hospitalization (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.1773–1.5131), while patients with a high qSOFA score were 3.21 times more likely than those with a lower qSOFA score to require ICU care (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.2289–4.6093).ConclusionAlthough qSOFA and MEWS are clinical scores used to identify septic patients outside the critical care unit, we believe that patients already diagnosed with sepsis can be assessed with qSOFA and MEWS prior to hospitalization to predict intensive care hospitalization and mortality. qSOFA was found be more valuable than MEWS in determining the prognosis of pre-hospitalization sepsis.     

Factors associated with infant feeding of human milk at discharge from neonatal intensive care: Cross-sectional analysis of nurse survey and infant outcomes data

ContextNurses are principal caregivers in the neonatal intensive care unit and support mothers to establish and sustain a supply of human milk for their infants. Whether an infant receives essential nutrition and immunological protection provided in human milk at discharge is an issue of health care quality in this setting.ObjectivesTo examine the association of the neonatal intensive care unit work environment, staffing levels, level of nurse education, lactation consultant availability, and nurse-reported breastfeeding support with very low birth weight infant receipt of human milk at discharge.Design and settingCross sectional analysis combining nurse survey data with infant discharge data.ParticipantsA national sample of neonatal intensive care units (N = 97), nurses (N = 5614) and very low birth weight infants (N = 6997).MethodsSequential multivariate linear regression models were estimated at the unit level between the dependent variable (rate of very low birth weight infants discharged on “any human milk”) and the independent variables (nurse work environment, nurse staffing, nursing staff education and experience, lactation consultant availability, and nurse-reported breastfeeding support).ResultsThe majority of very low birth weight infants (52%) were discharged on formula only. Fewer infants (42%) received human milk mixed with fortifier or formula. Only 6% of infants were discharged on exclusive human milk. A 1 SD increase (0.25) in the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index composite score was associated with a four percentage point increase in the fraction of infants discharged on human milk (p < 0.05). A 1 SD increase (0.15) in the fraction of nurses with a bachelor's degree in nursing was associated with a three percentage point increase in the fraction infants discharged on human milk (p < 0.05). The acuity-adjusted staffing ratio was marginally associated with the rate of human milk at discharge (p = .056). A 1 SD increase (7%) in the fraction of infants who received breastfeeding support was associated with an eight percentage point increase in the fraction of infants discharged on human milk (p < 0.001).ConclusionsNeonatal intensive care units with better work environments, better educated nurses, and more infants who receive breastfeeding support by nurses have higher rates of very low birth weight infants discharged home on human milk. Investments by nurse administrators to improve work environments and support educational preparation of nursing staff may ensure that the most vulnerable infants have the best nutrition at the point of discharge.     

Safety climate reduces medication and dislodgement errors in routine intensive care practice

Purpose

To assess the frequency and contributing factors of medication and dislodgement errors attributable to common routine processes in a cohort of intensive care units, with a special focus on the potential impact of safety climate.

Methods

A prospective, observational, 48 h cross sectional study in 57 intensive care units (ICUs) in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, with self-reporting of medical errors by ICU staff and concurrent assessment of safety climate, workload and level of care.

Results

For 795 observed patients, a total of 641 errors affecting 269 patients were reported. This corresponds to a rate of 49.8 errors per 100 patient days related to the administration of medication, loss of artificial airways, and unplanned dislodgement of lines, catheters and drains. In a multilevel model predicting error occurrence at the patient level, odds ratios (OR) per unit increase for the occurrence of at least one medical error were raised for a higher Nine Equivalents of Nursing Manpower Use Score (NEMS) (OR 1.04, 95 % CI 1.02–1.05, p < 0.01) and a higher number of tubes/lines/catheters/drains (OR 1.02, 95 % CI 1.01–1.03, p < 0.01) at the patient level and lowered by a better safety climate at the ICU level (OR per standard deviation 0.67, 95 % CI 0.51–0.89, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Safety climate apparently contributes to a reduction of medical errors that represent a particularly error-prone aspect of frontline staff performance during typical routine processes in intensive care.     

Comparison of open and closed suction on safety,efficacy and nursing time in a paediatric intensive care unit

BackgroundEndotracheal suctioning (ETS) is one of the most common procedures performed in the paediatric intensive care. The two methods of endotracheal suctioning used are known as open and closed suction, but neither method has been shown to be the superior suction method in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).PurposeThe primary purpose was to compare open and closed suction methods from a physiological, safety and staff resource perspective.MethodsAll paediatric intensive care patients with an endotracheal tube were included. Between June and September 2011 alternative months were nominated as open or closed suction months. Data were prospectively collected including suction events, staff involved, time taken, use of saline, and change from pre-suction baseline in heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and oxygen saturation (SpO₂). Blocked or dislodged ETTs were recorded as adverse events.FindingsClosed suction was performed more often per day (7.2 vs 6.0, p < 0.01), used significantly less nursing time (23 vs 38 min, p < 0.01) and had equivalent rates of adverse events compared to open suction (5 vs 3, p < 0.23). Saline lavage usage was significantly higher in the open suction group (18% vs 40%). Open suction demonstrated a greater reduction in SpO₂ and nearly three times the incidence of increases in HR and MAP compared to closed suction. Reductions in MAP or HR were comparable across the two methods.ConclusionsIn conclusion, CS could be performed with less staffing time and number of nurses, less physiological disturbances to our patients and no significant increases in adverse events.     

Critical care staff wellbeing: A new paradigm for understanding burnout

BackgroundThe wellbeing of paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) staff members influences their engagement with work and the quality of care they provide to patients. Baseline burnout measures in research provide inconclusive evidence of the determinants of burnout and how to target interventions to promote staff wellbeing.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) burnout-engagement workplace profiles in a sample of Australian PICU staff and investigate associations between demographic characteristics, meaningful work, satisfaction with life, and psychological distress on burnout.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was administered to a multidisciplinary sample of PICU staff (target n = 464) from three tertiary paediatric hospitals in Australia. The survey tool was comprised of the MBI, Work and Meaning Inventory, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and demographic questions. Hierarchical multiple regressions examined the relationships between burnout and these variables of interest.ResultsA sample of 258 participants (56%) completed the survey. For most respondents, burnout was scored as a low to moderate risk, with over half the participants scoring low risk for emotional exhaustion (EE) (56%) and depersonalisation (DP) (54%). Personal accomplishment (PA) was more evenly distributed (range of burnout risk: low, 32%; moderate, 32%; high, 36%). MBI scores were classified using the burnout-engaged workplace profile system, identifying low levels of burnout (8% burnout, 3% disengaged, 21% overextended, 29% ineffective, and 39% engaged). Psychological distress significantly increased burnout risk across all three dimensions EE (β = 0.253, p < 0.001), DP (β = 0.145, p < 0.05), and PA (β = ?0.13, p < 0.05), and being aged between 41 and 55 years was protective of depersonalisation (β = ?0.214, p < 0.05).ConclusionUtilising MBI workplace profiles, this study has built upon the demand for a more comprehensive assessment of burnout. Research that helps improve our understanding of contributory factors to burnout and wellbeing will inform the development of effective interventions that promote wellbeing of staff.     

Nasal high-flow oxygen therapy in ICU: A before-and-after study

BackgroundNon-intubated intensive care patients commonly receive supplemental oxygen by high-flow face mask (HFFM), simple face mask (FM) and nasal prongs (NP) during their ICU admission. However, high-flow nasal prongs (HFNP) offer considerable performance capabilities that may sufficiently meet all their oxygen therapy requirements.Study aimsTo assess the feasibility, safety and cost-effectiveness of introducing a protocol in which HFNP was the primary oxygen delivery device for non-intubated intensive care patients.MethodProspective 4-week before-and-after study (6 months apart) for all adult patients admitted to a 22-bed tertiary ICU in Melbourne, Australia.Results117 patients (57 before, 60 after) were included: 86 (73.5%) received mechanical ventilation. Feasibility revealed a significant reduction in HFFM (52.6–0%, p < .001), FM (35.1–8.3%, p = .002) and NP (75.4–36.7%, p < .001) use and an increase in HFNP use (31.6–81.7%, p < .05) during the after period. Following extubation, there was a significant reduction in HFFM use (65.7% vs. 0%, p < .05) and an increase HFNP use (8.6% vs. 87.5%, p < .05). Costing was in favour of the after period with a consumable cost saving per patient (AUD $32.56 vs. $17.62, p < .05). During the after period, more patients were discharged from ICU with HFNP than during the before period (5 vs. 33 patients, p < .05) and fewer patients (5 vs. 14 patients) used three or more oxygen delivery devices. Safety outcomes demonstrated no significant difference in the number of intubations, re-intubations, readmissions or non-invasive ventilation use between the two time periods.ConclusionsUsing HFNP as the primary oxygen delivery method for non-intubated intensive care patients was feasible, appeared safe, and the oxygen device costs were reduced. The findings of our single-centre study support further multi-centre evaluations of HFNP therapy protocols in non-ventilated intensive care patients.     

The Effectiveness of Dignity Therapy as Applied to End-of-Life Patients with Cancer in Taiwan: A Quasi-Experimental Study

PurposeThe aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of dignity therapy for end-of-life patients with cancer.MethodsThis study used a quasi-experimental study design with a nonrandomized controlled trial. Dignity therapy was used as an intervention in the experimental group, and general visit was used in the control group. Thirty end-of-life patients with cancer were recruited, with 16 in the experimental group and 14 in the control group. Outcome variables were the participants' dignity, demoralization, and depression. Measurements were taken at the following time points: pre-test (before intervention), post-test 1 (the 7th day), and post-test 2 (the 14th day). The effectiveness of the intervention in the two groups was analyzed using the generalized estimating equation, with the p value set to be less than .05.ResultsAfter dignity therapy, the end-of-life patients with cancer reflected increased dignity significantly [β = −37.08, standard error (SE) = 7.43, Wald χ² = 24.94, p < .001], whereas demoralization (β = −39.55, SE = 6.42, Wald χ² = 37.95, p < .001) and depression (β = −12.01, SE = 2.17, Wald χ² = 30.71, p < .001) were both reduced significantly.ConclusionClinical nurses could be adopting dignity therapy to relieve psychological distress and improve spiritual need in end-of-life patients with cancer. Future studies might be expanded to looking at patients vis-à-vis end-of-life patients without cancer to improve their psychological distress. These results provide reference data for the care of end-of-life patients with cancer for nursing professionals.