Resident outcomes of person-centered care in long-term care: A narrative review of interventional research

Background

Person-centered care has been widely promoted in long-term care settings. It is commonly referred to as a core concept that guides the care philosophy change in long-term care settings from a traditional medical model to a more humanistic approach to care. Current person-centered practice in long-term care settings is guided by multiple person-centered care models. However, evidence regarding the effects of person-centered practice guided by multiple models on residents’ outcomes has not been well established or synthesized.

Objectives

To outline and compare the principal models and to synthesize current evidence of the effects of multiple person-centered care models on resident outcomes.

Method

Systematic searches were conducted using CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychoINFO, Evidence Based Medicine Reviews, Cochrane Review databases, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses using the following keywords (UK and US spellings) individually and in multiple combinations: person-centered care, resident-centered care, client-centered care, individualized care, patient-centered care, culture change, Eden Alternative, Wellspring, Green House, Pioneer Network, dementia, nursing home, assisted living and long-term care. The searches were limited to articles written in English and published from January 1990 to April 2013. Then a manual search of the reference lists of selected relevant articles was conducted.

Results

Twenty-four studies from three countries were reviewed and compared in terms of person-centered interventions, measurement, and resident outcomes. 15 culture change studies for residents who were cognitively intact or with minor cognitive impairment and 9 studies for residents with dementia were reviewed. Across the studies, culture change models had some beneficial effects on residents’ psychological wellbeing. Person-centered dementia care had significant effects on decreasing behavioral symptoms and psychotropic medication use in dementia residents in long-term care.

Conclusion

An agreed upon definition of person-centered care is essential for researchers and clinicians to guide person-centered care development and implementation. Rigorous study design and objective and subjective measurement use are needed for future studies, especially those guided by culture change models. The effectiveness of person-centered care on residents’ bio-psycho-social outcomes like sleep, stress, and physical wellbeing need to be addressed and systematically examined with subjective and objective measures in future studies.     

The experience of cancer cachexia: A qualitative study of advanced cancer patients and their family members

Background

Cachexia in advanced malignancy is a debilitating syndrome which contributes to approximately two million deaths worldwide annually. In spite of advances in understanding the biomedical aspects of cancer cachexia, little attention has been paid to exploring its holistic impact on patients and those who care for them.

Objective

The aim of this paper is to describe the lived experience of cachexia from the perspective of patients with cancer and their family members.

Design

An interpretative phenomenological approach was employed.

Setting and participants

A purposive sampling strategy recruited 15 patients and 12 family members from the Regional Cancer Centre in Northern Ireland.

Method

Each participant was interviewed during 2004/2005 using an unstructured interview. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis combined a two stage approach using thematic and interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results

Analysis generated six superordinate themes that reflected the complex dynamics of the cachexia experience. Themes were: physiological changes in appetite; visuality of cachexia; weight loss interpreted as a bad sign; response from health care professionals; conflict over food; and coping responses.

Conclusions

Findings confirmed that cancer cachexia has far reaching implications for patients and their families, extending beyond physical problems into psychological, social and emotional issues. This insight is a critical first step in the development of more responsive care for these clients.     

Level 1 neonatal nursing staff perceptions of their role: A qualitative Framework Analysis study investigating the complex and diverse workload undertaken by nurses in special care baby units

This study investigated Level 1 Special Care Bay Unit (SCBU) nurses’ perceptions of the skills required for their role. Eight nurses from a UK inner city Level 1 neonatal unit participated in qualitative interviews about their role. Analyses were based on data collected from semi -structured interviews supported by open -ended questions and use of a topic guide. The SRQR (Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research) checklist was used as a framework to support the qualitative analytical methods undertaken. Level 1 neonatal nurses reported use of a wide range of skills with a high level of parent – infant engagement. Analysis of the participant interviews revealed six themes: a) balancing nursing workload and demands; b) delivering nursing care in a Level 1 SCBU; c) managing clinical risk and emergencies; d) function and sustainability of a SCBU neonatal team; e) delivering family-centered care; and f) external perceptions of Level 1 nursing care. Work on a Level 1 unit consists of a broad range of skills, possibly greater in scope in comparison with skills used by neonatal nurses on Level 2 and Level 3 units. Further in - depth analysis of this role would be useful for the development of practice skills and for recruitment and retention.     

Nurses' perceptions of mental health assessment in an acute inpatient setting in New Zealand: a qualitative study

This qualitative study explores the perceptions of mental health nurses regarding assessment in an acute adult inpatient setting in Central Auckland. Fourteen mental health nurses took part in semistructured interviews answering five open-ended questions. The analysis of data involved a general inductive approach, with key themes drawn out and grouped into four categories (roles, attitudes, skills and knowledge) in order to explore the meaning of information gathered. The outcome of the study acknowledged the importance of contextual factors such as the physical environment and bureaucratic systems, as well as values and beliefs present within the unit. The participants expressed concern that their input to assessment processes was limited, despite belief that 24-hour care and the nature of mental health nursing generally suggested that a crucial role should exist for nurses. In order for nurses to be established as central in the assessment process on the unit the study concludes that a nursing theoretical framework appropriate for this acute inpatient setting needs to be developed.     

Mitigating opioid errors in inpatient palliative care: A qualitative study

BackgroundOpioids are a high-risk medicine used in high doses and volumes in specialist palliative care inpatient services to manage palliative patients’ pain and other symptoms. Despite the high volume of opioid use in this care setting, serious errors with opioids are exceedingly rare. However, little is known about the factors that mitigate opioid errors in specialist palliative care inpatient services.AimTo explore palliative care clinicians’ perceptions of factors that mitigate opioid errors in specialist palliative care inpatient services.Methods and designA qualitative study using focus groups and semi-structured interviews.Participants and settingRegistered nurses, doctors, and/or pharmacists (‘clinicians’) who were involved with and/or had oversight of the services’ opioid delivery and/or opioid quality and safety processes, employed by one of three specialist palliative care inpatient services in metropolitan NSW.FindingsFifty-eight participants took part in this study, three-quarters (76%) of which were palliative care nurses. A positive opioid safety culture was central to mitigating opioid errors in specialist palliative care inpatient services. This culture of opioid safety was founded on clear and consistent safety messages from leadership, clinicians empowered to work together and practise safely, and a non-punitive approach to errors when they occurred. The clinical nurse educator was seen as pivotal to shaping, driving and reinforcing safe opioid delivery practices across the palliative care service.ConclusionCreating and sustaining a positive opioid safety culture, and promoting a non-punitive approach to opioid error and reporting, is essential to mitigating opioid errors in the specialist palliative care inpatient setting.     

Cardiovascular nurses' experiences of working in the COVID-19 intensive care unit: A qualitative study

BackgroundCardiovascular nurses’ skills and experiences of cardiac critical care, management of cardiovascular emergencies, and mechanical circulatory support have been considered vital in providing nursing care for COVID-19 patients in intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic. To our knowledge, there are no studies have focused on the contribution and experiences of cardiovascular nurses in the critical care of COVID-19 patients.ObjectivesTo explore the experiences of cardiovascular nurses working in a COVID-19 intensive care unit during the pandemic.MethodsThe study was conducted as a qualitative study with phenomenological approach in June-December 2020. Study data were gathered from ten cardiovascular nurses through semi-structured interviews.ResultsSix themes emerged from the interview data: the duties and responsibilities in a COVID-19 intensive care unit; the differences of COVID-19 intensive care unit practices from cardiovascular practices; the transferrable skills of cardiovascular nurses in a COVID-19 intensive care unit; the difficulties encountered working in a COVID-19 intensive care unit; the difficulty of working with personal protective equipment; and the psychosocial effects of working in a COVID-19 intensive care unit.ConclusionCardiovascular nurses made an important contribution to the management of nursing services with their experiences and skills in the COVID-19 pandemic.     

Patient-centered care,nurse work environment and implicit rationing of nursing care in Swiss acute care hospitals: A cross-sectional multi-center study

BackgroundPatient-centered care is a key element of high-quality healthcare and determined by individual, structural and process factors. Patient-centered care is associated with improved patient-reported, clinical and economic outcomes. However, while hospital-level characteristics influence patient-centered care, little evidence is available on the association of patient-centered care with characteristic such as the nurse work environment or implicit rationing of nursing care.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe patient-centered care in Swiss acute care hospitals and to explore the associations with nurse work environment factors and implicit rationing of nursing care.DesignThis is a sub-study of the cross-sectional multi-center “Matching Registered Nurse Services with Changing Care Demands” study.SettingWe included 123 units in 23 acute care hospitals from all three of Switzerland’s language regions.ParticipantsThe sample consisted of 2073 patients, hospitalized for at least 24 h and ≥18 years of age. From the same hospital units, 1810 registered nurses working in direct patient care were also included.MethodsPatients‘ perceptions of patient-centered care were assessed using four items from the Generic Short Patient Experiences Questionnaire. Nurses completed questionnaires assessing perceived staffing and resource adequacy, adjusted staffing, leadership ability and level of implicit rationing of nursing care. We applied a Generalized Linear Mixed Models for analysis including individual-level patient and nurse data aggregated to the unit level.ResultsPatients reported high levels of patient-centered care: 90% easily understood nurses, 91% felt the treatment and care were adapted for their situation, 82% received sufficient information, and 70% felt involved in treatment and care decisions. Higher staffing and resource adequacy was associated with higher levels of patient-centered care, e.g., sufficient information (β 0.638 [95%-CI: 0.30–0.98]). Higher leadership ratings were associated with sufficient information (β 0.403 [95%-CI: 0.03–0.77) and adapted treatment and care (β 0.462 [95%-CI: 0.04–0.88]). Furthermore, higher levels of implicit rationing of nursing care were associated with lower levels of patient-centered care, e.g., adapted treatment and care (β −0.912 [95%-CI: −1.50–0.33]).ConclusionOur study shows a negative association between implicit rationing of nursing care and patient-centered care: i.e.the lower the level of implicit rationing of nursing care, the better patients understood nurses, felt sufficiently informed and recognized that they were receiving highly individualized treatment. To improve patient-centered care, the nurse work environment and the level of implicit rationing of nursing care should be taken into consideration.     

急性冠脉综合征患者住院期间对疾病体验的质性研究

目的 探讨急性冠脉综合征患者住院期间的疾病体验.方法 采用现象学研究方法 ,半结构访谈10例急性冠脉综合征患者,应用Colaizzi七步分析法分析访谈资料.结果 急性冠脉综合征患者住院期间的疾病体验可归纳为2个主题:创伤应激和寻求安全.前者包括恐惧、震惊、依赖、不确定感;后者包括叹息生命、追溯患病原因、自我负责、规划未来.结论 急性冠脉综合征患者在住院期间对疾病有自我认知并开始规划生活,护理人员应充分评估患者认知,在此基础上制定个性化的康复护理计划,更好地实现以患者为中心的护理.     

Nurse anesthesia students' perceptions of the anesthesia patient simulator: a qualitative study

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of nurse anesthesia students (NAS) who used a MedSim simulator (MedSim USA, Inc, Ft Lauderdale, Fla) as part of their educational training. A convenience sample of 12 NAS in their first year of clinical training was researched. The researcher analyzed data qualitatively from observations made during 4 different sessions. Session 1 introduced the students to the simulator. Session 2 involved each student performing an anesthetic induction. A minor incident such as hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia or tachycardia occurred in session 3, and a major incident such as cardiac ischemia, anaphylaxis, bronchospasm, or malignant hyperthermia occurred in session 4. Data collection involved observation by the primary investigator, journal entries by the anesthesia students, and focus group interviews with the students. Results of the study indicate that, although students experience feelings of apprehension, uneasiness, or fear during the sessions, they felt it was very educational. Disadvantages include the lack of reality, lack of knowledge on handling crisis events, possibility of fixation errors, and the presence of anxiety. Advantages include improved critical thinking and decision-making skills, increased confidence, and improved clinical preparation. Results can be used to assist instructors in improving the students' learning experiences and to teach more effectively.     

Collaboration between pharmacists,physicians and nurse practitioners: A qualitative investigation of working relationships in the inpatient medical setting

While collaborative, team-based care has the potential to improve medication use and reduce adverse drug events and cost, less attention is paid to understanding the processes of well functioning teams. This paper presents the findings from key informant interviews and reflective journaling from pharmacists, physicians and nurse practitioners participating in a multicentre, controlled clinical trial of team-based pharmacist care in hospitalized medical patients. A phenomenological approach guided the data analysis and content analysis was the primary tool for unitizing, categorizing and identifying emerging themes. Pharmacists experienced highs (developing trusting relationships and making positive contributions to patient care) and lows (struggling with documentation and workload) during integration into the medical care team. From the perspective of the participating pharmacists, nurse practitioners and physicians, the integration of pharmacists into the teams was felt to have facilitated positive patient outcomes by improving team drug-therapy decision-making, continuity of care and patient safety. Additionally, the study increased the awareness of all team members' potential roles so that pharmacists, nurses and physicians could play a part in and benefit from working together as a team. Focussed attention on how practice is structured, team process and ongoing support would enable successful implementation of team-based care in a larger context. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00351676)     

临床带教中人文关怀感知的质性研究

目的:深入了解临床护生在实习期间对带教老师人文关怀感知程度,同时提出加强人文关怀的建议。方法:运用质性研究方法,对某部属三级甲等医院实习护生进行个别深入访谈。结果:了解到临床带教老师对护生的关怀主要涉及生活、学习方面,不关怀行为主要为心理、情感方面。结论:医院整体人文关怀氛围建立与发展,临床带教老师人文素质的提高,对护生临床实习期间人文关怀感知程度至关重要。     

Nurse perspectives of nurse-sensitive indicators for positive patient outcomes: A Delphi study

BackgroundPatient safety, quality of care, and nurse-sensitive indicators are common areas of focus in international research relating to patient outcomes. Recent literature relating specifically to nurse-sensitive indicators has leaned towards an emphasis upon negative outcomes, such as ‘missed care’, ‘delayed care’, ‘failure to rescue’ or a reduction in adverse events rather than focus on nursing activities that lead to positive outcomes. In addition, little is known about nurse perspectives of nurse-sensitive indicators for positive patient outcomes.ObjectiveTo identify and describe priority nurse-sensitive indicators linked to positive patient outcomes in the acute care setting.DesignA modified Delphi Technique consisting of three rounds of electronic questionnaires to 90 Clinical Nurse Specialists and Charge Nurse/Managers working in acute care settings in New Zealand.MethodsDelphi round one survey collected data on key nursing activities and tools important to patient outcomes. Delphi round two survey presented round one data for rating importance to patient outcomes using a rating scale question design. Delphi round three survey presented round two data to participants within the ‘Patient Experience Indicators’ identified by the New Zealand Health Safety and Quality Commission’s domains for ranking in order of importance via a ranking question design. Round one data were analysed to discover themes emerging from the responses to formulate activity options. In round two, responses were given an average rating score, calculated on the weight assigned to each answer choice. In round three the ranking average was calculated using weighting and response count.ResultsThe results from the third round presented activities from each domain and these were ranked from highest to least importance, with 75% or greater indicating consensus. Of highest importance within each domain were: Communication: Listening; Partnership: Establishing trust, building relationships; Coordination: The threshold of 75% consensus was not reached; Physical and Emotional Needs: Identification of rapid change/deterioration, observation/identification of patient status, and increased assessment skills.ConclusionSome nursing activities were difficult to rank in terms of importance as nurses perceived they were inter-related and of equal importance. The soft applied skills of nursing practice have been highlighted as important nursing activities by experienced nurses in this research, which poses a challenge for health care and nursing education sectors to label, value and support enactment of these skills in the nursing workforce as legitimate contributions to positive patient outcomes.