Quality assurance in the emergency department

A coordinated approach to quality assurance is essential for managing the complexities of health care in the emergency department. Nearly every activity in the emergency care setting has implications that fall under the quality assurance umbrella. A comprehensive quality assurance program for the emergency department at Michael Reese Hospital was built through a process of defining, further developing, and coordinating existing quality assurance activities. Several new activities were developed to fill identified gaps. The program follows traditional quality assurance concepts for monitoring structure, process, and outcome elements of emergency care. Key principles that are the foundation of the program include active participation by all staff levels (clinical and nonclinical), standardized documentation, and specifically defined review mechanisms.     

Quality assurance in the emergency department

Quality assurance (QA) is an increasingly important element in the administrative management of the ED. The need to critically self-evaluate physician performance, allocate scarce resources, and conduct careful risk management requires a methodology well met by a comprehensive QA plan. Aggressive collection of potential problems requires multiple methodologies to review complaints, accomplish generic screening, perform audits, address administrative concerns, and satisfy reviews mandated by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals. The means by which such wide-ranging issues can be brought into a single comprehensive plan require an efficient and flexible model of ED administration that includes problem identification, resolution and monitoring, risk management, and sensible administration. The QA elements of monitoring, assessment, improvement, documentation, generic screening, and standards of care are examined.     

Australian emergency doctors' and nurses' acceptance and knowledge regarding brain death: a national survey

Healthcare staff's acceptance of brain death (BD) being a valid determination of death is essential for optimized organ and tissue donation (OTD) rates. Recently, resources to increase Australian OTD rates have been aimed at emergency departments (ED) as a significant missed donor potential was discovered. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess Australian ED clinicians' acceptance and knowledge regarding BD. Most (86%) of the 599 medical and 212 nursing staff accepted BD, but only 60% passed a 5-item-validated BD knowledge tool. BD knowledge was related to the acceptance of BD. Accepting BD influenced attitudes toward OTD, including willingness to donate. BD acceptance and knowledge were related to education/training regarding OTD, years of experience in EDs, experience with OTD-related tasks, and increased perceived competence and comfort with OTD-related tasks. Of concern, more than half of respondents who did not pass the BD test reported feeling competent and comfortable explaining BD to next of kin; of respondents who had recent experience with this, more than a third failed the BD test. Despite being generally positive toward OTD, Australian ED clinicians do not have a sound knowledge of BD. This may be hampering efforts to increase donation rates from the ED.     

Incidence,Risk Factors,and Costs for Hospital Returns After Total Joint Arthroplasties

Background

Unplanned hospital returns after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) reduce any cost savings in a bundled reimbursement model. We examine the incidence, risk factors, and costs for unplanned emergency department (ED) visits and readmissions within 30 days of index TJA.

危重患者长途转运流程优化研究

目的提高危重患者长途转运效率和安全性。方法将388例长途转运危重患者按时间段分为对照组186例、观察组192例;对照组采用常规转运流程;观察组采取成立长途转运管理小组、制订转运流程和患者交接单,细化转运前中后环节工作职责等优化转运流程方式转运患者。结果两组患者均安全送达目标医院及科室;观察组接诊时间、准备用物时间、院内转运接收时间显著短于对照组(均P0.01),患者及接收科室护士满意率显著高于对照组(均P0.01)。结论优化长途转运流程可显著提高危重患者长途转运效果,保障患者转运安全。     

急诊危重症患者院内转运流程的建立和应用评价

目的构建急诊危重症患者院内转运流程,降低院内转运过程中不良事件发生率。方法组建项目团队,根据医疗失效模式与效应分析(HFMEA)方法,列出转运过程中每个流程步骤及子流程,进行危急值计算及决策树分析,拟定行动计划与结果评价,对流程执行者进行培训与考核,考核合格后实施转运。比较流程方案实施前与实施后转运过程中不良事件的发生率。结果实施后患者转运过程中输液管滑脱或堵塞、血压下降、意外拔管、氧气供给不足、氧饱和度下降发生率显著低于实施前(均P0.01)。结论运用HFMEA构建急诊危重症患者院内转运流程,可以提高急诊危重症患者院内转运的安全性。     

积极心理学框架下急诊科护士职业幸福感的质性研究

目的从积极情感体验和积极的社会组织系统出发,探寻急诊科护士的职业幸福感。方法采用现象学研究方法,选择芜湖市4所医院的16名急诊科护士进行深入访谈,并用Colaizzi的7步分析法分析资料。结果愉悦感是急诊科护士职业幸福感的直接表现,归属感是急诊科护士职业幸福感的内在感受。结论急诊科护士拥有职业幸福感,但需要采用素质拓展、团队辅导咨询等积极心理干预方法,进一步激发和提升。