Dana Tschannen

HOSPITAL VARIATION IN MISSED NURSING CARE

Quality of nursing care across hospitals is variable, and this variation can result in poor patient outcomes. One aspect of quality nursing care is the amount of necessary care that is omitted. This article reports on the extent and type of nursing care missed and the reasons for missed care. The MISSCARE Survey was administered to nursing staff (n = 4086) who provide direct patient care in 10 acute care hospitals. Missed nursing care patterns as well as reasons for missing care (labor resources, material resources, and communication) were common across all hospitals. Job title (ie, registered nurse vs nursing assistant), shift worked, absenteeism, perceived staffing adequacy, and patient work loads were significantly associated with missed care. The data from this study can inform quality improvement efforts to reduce missed nursing care and promote favorable patient outcomes.

Missed nursing care, staffing, and patient falls

Patient falls in hospitals continue to be a major and costly problem. This study tested the mediating effect of missed nursing care on the relationship of staffing levels (hours per patient day [HPPD]) and patient falls. The sample was 124 patient units in 11 hospitals. The HPPD was negatively associated with patient falls (r = −0.36, P < .01), and missed nursing care was found to mediate the relationship between HPPD and patient falls.

Challenges to nurses' efforts of retrieving, documenting, and communicating patient care information

OBJECTIVE To examine information flow, a vital component of a patients care and outcomes, in a sample of multiple hospital nursing units to uncover potential sources of error and opportunities for systematic improvement. DESIGN This was a qualitative study of a sample of eight medical-surgical nursing units from four diverse hospitals in one US state. We conducted direct work observations of nursing staffs communication patterns for entire shifts (8 or 12 h) for a total of 200 h and gathered related documentation artifacts for analyses. Data were coded using qualitative content analysis procedures and then synthesized and organized thematically to characterize current practices. RESULTS Three major themes emerged from the analyses, which represent serious vulnerabilities in the flow of patient care information during nurse hand-offs and to the entire interdisciplinary team across time and settings. The three themes are: (1) variation in nurse documentation and communication; (2) the absence of a centralized care overview in the patients electronic health record, ie, easily accessible by the entire care team; and (3) rarity of interdisciplinary communication. CONCLUSION The care information flow vulnerabilities are a catalyst for multiple types of serious and undetectable clinical errors. We have two major recommendations to address the gaps: (1) to standardize the format, content, and words used to document core information, such as the plan of care, and make this easily accessible to all team members; (2) to conduct extensive usability testing to ensure that tools in the electronic health record help the disconnected interdisciplinary team members to maintain a shared understanding of the patients plan.

Does missed nursing care predict job satisfaction

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This study explores the impact of missed nursing care (required patient care that is omitted) on job satisfaction of nursing personnel. Data from 3,135 registered nurses (RNs) and 939 nursing assistants (NAs) on 110 patient care units in ten midwestern hospitals revealed that nursing staff who perceived less missed nursing care on the patient care unit where they work are more satisfied in their current position and occupation. Perceptions of staffing adequacy also significantly predicted both satisfaction variables. Focused interventions aimed at decreasing missed care and ensuring staffing adequacy are needed to improve job satisfaction and patient care.

The Effect of Variations in Nurse Staffing on Patient Length of Stay in the Acute Care Setting

This study examines the relationship between nurse staffing and patient length of stay (LOS). Data were collected on nurses employed and patients admitted to one of four study units located in two Midwest hospitals. Three nursing variables (hours per patient day [HPPD], skill mix, and nursing expertise) were collected through survey and administrative forms. The nursing data were then linked with patient-specific characteristics (deviation from expected LOS) to test the relationship at the patient level of analysis. Average HPPD was a positive predictor of deviation from expected LOS, whereas overall expertise was a negative predictor of deviation from expected LOS. Higher staffing levels may result in patients being discharged sooner than expected. Nurse administrators must consider the quantity as well as quality of staff when determining optimal staffing levels. Unit staffing levels must include nurses who have both experiential and theoretical knowledge in order to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Standardized nursing terminologies can transform practice

This department, sponsored by the American Organization of Nurse Executives, presents information to assist nurse leaders in shaping the future of healthcare through creative and innovative leadership. The strategic priorities of the American Organization of Nurse Executives anchor the editorial content. They reflect contemporary healthcare and nursing practice issues that challenge nurse executives as they strive to meet the needs of patients.

The impact of nurse/physician collaboration on patient length of stay

AIM This study examines the relationship between nurse/physician collaboration and patient length of stay (LOS). BACKGROUND The quality of nurse/physician relationships has been shown to have an impact on patient outcomes. As the acuity level of patients admitted to hospitals continue to rise, the need for collaboratively determined care is essential for avoiding errors and promoting quality. METHODS Data were collected on four units located in two Midwest hospitals. Nurses (n = 135) were asked to complete a survey seeking perceptions of nurse/physician collaboration. The survey data were then linked with patient (n = 310) data, including LOS, diagnostic-related groups (DRG) category and other patient-specific characteristics. RESULTS Perceptions of nurse/physician collaboration were positively linked with actual LOS (P < 0.001) and inversely related to deviation from expected LOS (i.e. patient stay longer than expected) (P < 0.01). Patients receiving care from nurses who perceived greater collaboration were elderly and had higher levels of acuity. Longer LOS for these patients may be a result of their higher acuity level. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT This study found that collaboratively determined care may result in longer LOS, but could prevent complications that may otherwise go untreated. Nurse administrators must implement strategies that foster the development of nurse/physician collaboration.

Innovative Simulation Strategies in Education

The use of simulation in the undergraduate nursing curriculum is gaining popularity and is becoming a foundation of many nursing programs. The purpose of this paper is to highlight a new simulation teaching strategy, virtual reality (VR) simulation, which capitalizes on the technological skills of the new generation student. This small-scale pilot study focused on improving interpersonal skills in senior level nursing students using VR simulation. In this study, a repeated-measure design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of VR simulation on improving students performance over a series of two VR scenarios. Using the Emergency Medicine Crisis Resource Management (EMCRM) tool, student performance was evaluated. Overall, the total EMCRM score improved but not significantly. The subscale areas of communication (P = .047, 95% CI: − 1.06, −.007) and professional behavior (P = .003, 95% CI: − 1.12, −.303) did show a significant improvement between the two scenario exposures. Findings from this study show the potential for virtual reality simulations to have an impact on nursing student performance.

Improving nursing students' communication skills using crew resource management strategies

To provide optimal patient care, all members of the health care team must effectively communicate patient status and the current plan of care. The Crew Resource Management (CRM) training system has been successfully used in the aviation industry to manage human error and reduce risk in the operational environment. CRM focuses on behaviors that support communication and teamwork and is modifiable to be used in nursing education. A version of CRM-nursing crew resource management-was implemented in a group of senior undergraduate nursing students. Students were satisfied with the program, and in a subsequent simulation they demonstrated the ability to use the communication techniques learned.

Reliability of pressure ulcer staging: A review of literature and 1 institution's strategy

Pressure ulcers are an increasing health care problem. Accurate identification and classification of pressure ulcers impacts patient outcomes, health care costs, and quality initiatives.To identify existing evidence related to answering the question “Does bedside nursing staff accurately and reliably stage pressure ulcers as evidenced in their documentation?” Further evidence from one large tertiary care center with pressure ulcer identification and staging by nurses is also reported.Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and MEDLINE databases were searched to identify existing evidence on the accuracy and reliability of pressure ulcer classification by nurses. Two reviewers independently screened results. A total of 54 full-text articles were obtained for review and 10 were included for final review. In addition, the accuracy and consistency of pressure ulcer identification and staging were examined at one large tertiary health system by extracting data from electronic health records for 1488 patient visits and assessments for 1499 patients. Comparisons were done for pressure ulcer documentation from 1 nurses assessment to the following shift nurses assessment and from the bedside nurses assessment to assessments done by pressure ulcer experts.Review of the literature revealed that the reliability of pressure ulcer identification and classification is limited and highly variable. Some reports in the literature suggested nurses had difficulty distinguishing a pressure ulcer from other types of wounds. In addition, inaccuracies in pressure ulcer documentation were also identified. Further analysis of data within one large tertiary health care system revealed unreliable pressure ulcer documentation.