FreshRSS

🔒
❌ Acerca de FreshRSS
Hay nuevos artículos disponibles. Pincha para refrescar la página.
AnteayerInternacionales

Understaffing as a Two‐Dimensional Phenomenon: A Cross‐Sectional Study of Hospital Nurses' Manpower and Expertise Understaffing

ABSTRACT

Aim(s)

To examine whether manpower and expertise understaffing are distinct, and whether they relate similarly to nursing stressors, burnout, job satisfaction and intentions to turnover.

Design

A cross-sectional survey of hospital nurses nested within units was used.

Methods

The sample included 402 nurses. Nurses provided ratings of the study's variables using validated self-report measures. The data were analysed both as multilevel and single-level data.

Results

Manpower and expertise understaffing contributed unique explained variance to all of the examined outcomes. Nurses within the same units experience different understaffing levels. Expertise understaffing emerged as a significantly stronger predictor than manpower understaffing for three of the six of the outcome variables (illegitimate tasks, job satisfaction and turnover intentions).

Conclusion

Manpower and expertise understaffing are distinct, and both are associated with nurse outcomes.

Reporting Method

We have adhered to the STROBE guideline for cross-sectional studies.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Considering both manpower and expertise understaffing to maintain proper staffing levels in nursing units is crucial.

Patient or Public Contribution

A Director of Patient Care Services from the hospital where the study was conducted is a member of the research team. This member contributed to designing and conducting the study as well as interpreting the results.

Social Representations of Bedside Milk Expression Among Mothers of Preterm Newborns in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

ABSTRACT

Aim

To understand the social representations of bedside milk expression (BME) among mothers of preterm newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

The study was conducted from July to August 2024 in two NICUs of a referral maternity hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil. Nineteen mothers of hospitalised premature newborns participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and subjected to thematic content analysis.

Results

Mothers perceived BME as a meaningful act of protection and bonding, though some were unfamiliar with the practice. Emotional ambivalence was common, shaped by prior breastfeeding experiences and the context of prematurity. Discomfort related to privacy and shared spaces was noted. Support from healthcare professionals was essential to promote understanding and adherence.

Conclusion

Social representations of BME are shaped by emotional, social and institutional experiences. Anchored in prior breastfeeding experiences and cultural meanings of maternal care, the practice is objectified through both gestures of affection and tangible barriers.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, should receive training to support mothers in BME. Structural improvements, privacy and emotional support are essential for fostering maternal autonomy and confidence.

Impact

This study highlights the barriers to BME, emphasising the role of healthcare support and the need for better infrastructure, privacy and training to enhance maternal confidence and breastfeeding.

Reporting Method

The study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

None.

What Does This Paper Contribute to the Wider Global Clinical Community?

This paper highlights the pivotal role of healthcare professional support in overcoming barriers to BME and promoting breastfeeding practices.

What Already Is Known?

Fresh breast milk is considered the gold standard for reducing complications and improving survival in preterm infants. BME is recommended as an effective strategy to ensure the availability of fresh breast milk. Mothers' social representations of this practice remain underexplored within the neonatal intensive care context.

What This Paper Adds?

Explores mothers' social representations of BME in NICUs, addressing a significant gap in qualitative research. Reveals how emotional, social and institutional factors shape mothers' perceptions, motivations and challenges related to BME. Highlights the need for targeted professional support, improved infrastructure and privacy to enhance maternal autonomy and adherence to milk expression practices.

Implications for Practice

Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, should receive specialised training to provide technical guidance and emotional support, enhancing mothers' confidence and autonomy in BME. Improving infrastructure and ensuring privacy in NICUs are crucial to creating supportive environments that facilitate milk expression and strengthen maternal–infant bonding. Institutional policies should integrate maternal-centred strategies to support breastfeeding continuity and promote humanised neonatal care.

Developing an Intervention to Improve Sexual Health Assessment and Care in Men With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

ABSTRACT

Aim

To co-produce a prototype intervention to help nurses improve the assessment and care of the sexual health needs of men with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease can have a significant impact on the sexual health and well-being of men, but has largely been neglected in research and clinical guidelines. Men with the disease report that sexual health is not discussed during consultations, while healthcare practitioners describe a lack of confidence to initiate sexual health assessments. At present, no evidence-based tool exists to support nurses in detecting, assessing, and providing care for the sexual health of men with the disease.

Design

A mixed-methods study shaped by phase 1 of the Medical Research Council's framework for the development of complex interventions.

Methods

(1) Cross-sectional surveys of (i) men with inflammatory bowel disease, (ii) nurses, and (iii) inflammatory bowel disease services to determine the current state of sexual health provision across the UK National Health Service. (2) Semi-structured interviews with men and the partners of men with IBD and asynchronous focus groups with health professionals to explore appropriate and acceptable ways to provide sexual healthcare. (3) Three consecutive co-production workshops inclusive of men with the disease, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to formulate a prototype intervention.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

This study will create an evidence-based prototype intervention that will provide nurses with the knowledge and skills required to effectively assess the sexual health needs of men with inflammatory bowel disease and provide appropriate, patient-centred care.

Patient Contribution

The study design was supported by a patient group. The study delivery will be supported by a patient co-investigator and stakeholder group inclusive of men with lived experience of the disease.

Reporting Method

This report adheres to the SPIRIT 2013 checklist for standard protocol items for clinical trials.

Trial Registration

clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT06562751

Black Women as Superwomen; Health Disparities and the Cost of Strength: A Discursive Paper

ABSTRACT

Aim

Historically, Black women have been positioned as primary caretakers and problem-solvers, often expected to bear disproportionate responsibility during times of crisis. There is an enduring image of Black women possessing exceptional strength handed down through generations, captured in the sociocultural phenomenon known as the superwoman schema, or SWS. The aim of this discursive review is to explore health disparities among Black women related to the SWS.

Design

A discursive paper.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar to identify relevant papers published from 2016 to 2025 that addressed health disparities among Black women.

Discussion

Through literature review, we identified three critical areas of health disparities associated with mental health disorders, maternal mortality and breast cancer, reflecting the influence of inequitable practices embedded within healthcare systems and society. Nurses, advanced practice nurses and other healthcare providers must prioritise identifying and addressing barriers that hinder access to quality healthcare for Black women. Many providers remain unaware of how depressive symptoms, chronic stress and social determinants impact maternal, mental and breast health outcomes. Encouraging Black women to prioritise mental health, engage in routine prenatal care and seek early breast cancer screening is critical to improving health outcomes. By understanding the historical, societal, and personal contexts of the SWS, nurses can clarify both its benefits and challenges for Black women.

The Psychometric Properties of the Braden Scale to Assess Pressure Injury Risk in Acute Care: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Aim

To analyse existing knowledge on the psychometric properties of the Braden Scale when used within the acute care setting.

Design

Systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Methods

A database search was conducted in June 2023 and updated in February 2024, seeking studies testing the psychometric properties of the Braden scale in the acute care setting. Data were sourced from five electronic databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science). Study selection, data extraction and assessment of risk of bias were completed, with two reviewers independently conducting each stage and an independent reviewer arbitrating discrepancies. Data were extracted using a customised template and synthesised narratively. Risk of bias was assessed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist.

Results

Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Internal consistency was reported between 0.64 and 0.78 (Cronbach's alpha). Inter-rater reliability was high, reported as ranging from 0.946 to 0.964 (intra-class correlations) or 0.86 to 0.949 (Pearson's correlation). Most validity studies tested predictive validity with wide variances reported.

Conclusion

The Braden Scale is reliable for assessing the risk of PI in acute care, but the validity of the scale is variable. Further research investigating validity beyond predictive validity is required.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Nurses working in acute care can use the Braden Scale with confidence of scale reliability. However, validity is variable and warrants a cautious approach. The true value resides in the capacity to trigger recognition of pressure injury risk.

Trial Registration: The protocol was registered a priori with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews PROSPERO ref: CRD42023407545

Nursing Care in Hospital Settings for Victims of Mental Disorders: Systematic Review With Meta‐Aggregation

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Approximately 25% of the Brazilian population suffers from mental disorders, a prevalence exacerbated by systemic and cultural factors such as socioeconomic inequalities, underfunded mental health services, regional disparities, and persistent stigma. These conditions significantly impact hospital care. Nurses, due to their direct contact with these patients, face challenges ranging from managing physical conditions to handling verbal aggression and psychiatric crises. This study aimed to assess the scientific evidence regarding nursing care for hospitalized patients with psychiatric disorders.

Methods

A systematic review with a mixed-methods approach was conducted, registered in PROSPERO (#CRD42022359288) and guided by PRISMA standards. Databases, such as MEDLINE, LILACS, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and BDEnf, were searched using keywords like “Mental disorder,” “Psychiatric health,” “Nursing care,” and “Hospital.” Methodological quality was assessed using JBI and SQUIRE tools. The integration of quantitative and qualitative components occurred through meta-aggregation of qualitative data and frequency-based coding of quantitative themes, allowing thematic convergence across study designs.

Results

Six studies were included. Meta-aggregation revealed frequent terms, such as “Nurse,” “Emergency,” “Screening,” “Patient,” and “Care.” Similarity analysis linked “Nurse” with “perception” and “experience” and “Emergency” with “Screening” and “Mental health,” highlighting the importance of experience and training. Five categories emerged: (1) professional experience (19.05%, showing skill gaps despite experience); (2) caring process (19.05%, stressing efficient screening); (3) barriers and challenges (19.05%, revealing difficulty with comorbidities); (4) training process (19.05%, identifying training deficiencies); and (5) therapeutic interventions (23.81%, discussing restraint use). These percentages refer to the proportional frequency of themes identified across the total number of studies analyzed. For thematic classification, only statistically significant chi-square values (p < 0.05) were considered in the grouping of content.

Conclusion

Nursing care for psychiatric patients in hospitals faces challenges like insufficient training and difficulty managing psychiatric comorbidities. Recommendations include incorporating structured mental health content into nursing curricula and hospital-based continuing education programs. These strategies may guide future healthcare policies in Brazil by improving patient safety, reducing hospital readmissions, and promoting more humane, evidence-based therapeutic interventions.

Clinical Relevance

The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted education and training to improve nursing care for psychiatric patients in hospital settings.

Incidence and Characteristics of Hospital‐Acquired Pressure Injuries in Acute Palliative Care Patients: A Four‐Year Analysis

ABSTRACT

Aim

To describe the cumulative incidence and characteristics of hospital-acquired pressure injury in acute palliative patients.

Design

Secondary data analysis of hospital-acquired pressure injuries during 2019–2022.

Methods

The setting was a palliative care unit at a tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia, including adult (≥ 18 years) acute-phase palliative inpatients. Retrospective data from four databases were used to identify and analyse hospital-acquired pressure injury cases from 2019 to 2022. Clinical characteristics of patients with and without hospital-acquired pressure injury were compared.

Results

The incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injury in acute palliative care patients was 3.9% over the 4 years. These patients were predominantly male, with an average age of 74 years, with 66 of 78 cases developing in the deteriorating palliative care phase. Using the Waterlow Score, 51.3% of patients were assessed as at very high risk of pressure injury. Ninety-five hospital-acquired pressure injuries were reported in 78 patients; 16.8% were medical device-related, 40% were Stage 1 injuries, and the most common injury sites were the sacrum, heels and genitals. Patients with hospital-acquired pressure injury had significantly higher (worse) scores on both the palliative care Resource Utilisation Group-Activities of Daily Living and Problem Severity Scores. Regression analysis identified a high Problem Severity Score on admission as a significant predictor for hospital-acquired pressure injury development.

Conclusion

The incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injury in acute palliative patients is lower than in previous studies. However, many injuries occurred in those in the deteriorating phase, with higher scores for severity of symptoms. These findings suggest that acute palliative patients do require nursing care for pressure injury prevention, as well as for symptom management and activities-of-daily-living. Overall, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of pressure injury incidence and characteristics for acute palliative care patients. Future research should focus on population-specific pressure injury risk assessment to explore risk factors in greater detail.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Current pressure injury risk assessment tools, like the Waterlow Score, may not provide the comprehensive evaluation needed for the acute palliative care cohort. To better address the unique needs of this cohort, it may be necessary to refine existing tools or develop new instruments that integrate palliative-specific assessments, such as the Resource Utilisation Group-Activities-of-Daily-Living (RUG-ADL) and Problem (symptom) Severity Score (PSS). These adaptations could help improve pressure injury prevention care planning and enhance outcomes for patients in this setting.

Impact

This study separated acute palliative care patients from those at end-of-life and found a 3.9% cumulative incidence of pressure injuries. There were no significant differences in age, gender, or cancer diagnosis between patients with and without injuries. Patients without injuries were more likely to be in the deteriorating phase, while those with injuries had higher (worse) RUG-ADL scores. Regression analysis showed that each one-point increase in the PSS (symptom severity) made patients 1.2 times more likely to develop a pressure injury. The findings suggest that combining a validated risk assessment tool with the RUG-ADL and PSS tools could provide a more accurate risk assessment for hospitalised acute palliative care patients.

Reporting Method

STROBE reporting guideline.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

The Characteristics and Effectiveness of Oral Healthcare Education Interventions for Stroke Clinicians: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT

Aims

To explore the characteristics of oral healthcare education interventions for stroke clinicians and the effectiveness of these interventions in improving the oral health knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and practice among acute stroke clinicians.

Design

Scoping review, guided by Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework.

Methods

Original full-text studies reporting educational oral healthcare interventions for stroke clinicians, including but not limited to nurses, were eligible for inclusion. Included studies were extracted and appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Checklist aligned to the study methodology. Narrative synthesis was used to describe heterogeneous findings.

Data Sources

Key electronic bibliographic databases including CINAHL, Cochrane, MEDLINE (Ovid), ProQuest, Pubmed, and Scopus, in addition to grey literature, were searched for studies published between 1st January 2000 and 20th January 2024.

Results

Five studies conducted in acute inpatient settings were included: two randomised controlled trials, two mixed-methods studies, and one quality improvement project. Most (n = 4) studies developed complex interventions that included education and other components (products, referral pathways, assessment tools), and were delivered either face-to-face or as an online program. Most studies reported positive changes in oral health knowledge, attitudes, and confidence. There was limited measurement of the acceptability and feasibility of the interventions, with only one study reporting positive feedback from clinicians. There was no evidence to support changes in clinical practice following any of the included interventions.

Conclusion

Existing evidence indicates interventions for stroke clinicians have some potential for building stroke clinicians' capacity to provide adequate oral healthcare. There is however no evidence linking these interventions to optimised patient outcomes. There is a need for research focused on the implementation and dissemination of tailored oral health educational interventions incorporating clinically meaningful outcomes.

Implications for Profession/Patient Care

Existing oral healthcare educational interventions appear to have a positive effect on stroke clinicians' oral health knowledge, confidence, and attitudes. Educational interventions in oral healthcare are perceived to be acceptable and feasible; however, further research is needed to design and test the effect of new interventions.

Impact

Integrated oral healthcare is particularly important for stroke survivors who are at greater risk of preventable aspiration pneumonia. This scoping review highlights the characteristics of existing educational programs for stroke clinicians, their effectiveness, and gaps in existing evidence. Review findings substantiate the need for future research to enhance existing oral healthcare interventions, to translate knowledge acquired from training into clinical practice, and to capture appropriate measures of effect.

Reporting Method

The PRISMA-ScR Checklist.

Protocol Registration

This review was registered with the Open Science Framework registry (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/4BWVF).

The Effectiveness of Nursing Interventions in Hospital: An Umbrella Review

ABSTRACT

Aim

The aim of this umbrella review was to summarise the existing evidence on the effectiveness of nursing interventions targeted at adult patients in hospitals.

Design

Existing systematic reviews were synthesised.

Data Sources

The literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL Complete, and the Cochrane Library by two of the authors until June 6th 2024 without a time limit.

Methods

A total of 2652 records were identified. After screening the titles and abstracts, 2421 records were excluded. Then two records were excluded as they were not retrieved, and 125 records were excluded during full-text review as they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Finally, 11 reviews (141 original studies) were included in the quality assessment and were analysed narratively.

Results

The most commonly used interventions were educational, followed by preventive, observative, or combinations of various interventions. All interventions were targeted at the care of somatic patients. The interventions lacked detailed descriptions of their content and duration. Nursing interventions were found to reduce anxiety, depression, disorder symptoms, pain intensity, length of hospital stay, serious adverse effects, mortality, infections and pressure ulcer prevalence.

Conclusions

There is limited high-quality evidence on the effectiveness of nursing interventions used by nurses at hospital settings. While nursing interventions can improve hospital patient outcomes, more high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses are needed. Only preventive interventions (such as pressure ulcer prevention and use of early warning scores) consistently showed positive effects and are relatively easy to implement in hospital nursing practice. Other interventions are not yet widely integrated into standard care in hospitals. It is necessary to study the cost-effectiveness of nursing interventions.

No Patient or Public Contributions

This umbrella review did not include any patient or public involvement.

Reporting Method

This umbrella review of systematic reviews adheres to the PRISMA statement.

Exploring the Role and Skill Requirements of Registered Nurses Working in Rural and Remote Areas. A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Registered nurses (RN)s account for the majority of the rural and remote health workforce and require different skills, knowledge and working practices compared to their metropolitan counterparts. Given the complexity and diversity of the rural and remote work environment, it is important to investigate the contemporary literature on the role and skill requirements of the RNs in these locations.

Methods

A scoping review was undertaken in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews. With the permission of the authors, this scoping review extends the work by Muirhead and Birks (2020) who explored the RN role in these locations in 2017. Database searches were conducted in the Cumulative Index for Allied Health and Nursing Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane, JBI, OVID (Emcare), Proquest, PubMed, Scopus and Rural and Remote Health Database. Studies published from November 2017 to June 2024 were included to reflect the current international roles of rural and remote RNs.

Results

A total of 74 articles were included in the study. The overarching categories identified were clinical roles and non-clinical roles. Ongoing analysis established the subcategories of fundamental/foundational, specialist, management roles, support roles and ancillary roles. Four tensions within the rural and remote context were also identified; Generalist and specialist role; Poorly prepared or unprepared; Extended scope of practice; and Role uncertainty.

Discussion

Registered Nurses in rural and remote locations conduct a wide variety of skills and tasks. Their role is expansive, context-dependant, and dynamic. Analysis of the literature found that globally, similarities exist for the role, including comparable challenges, barriers and opportunities Resource availability in a country impacts RN preparation, emphasising the need for systemic improvements to ensure equitable outcomes, especially in rural and remote areas.

Conclusion

The role of the rural and remote RN is broad and unique and requires different breadth and depth of skills and knowledge. The rural and remote RN role includes all levels of care for all patients across the lifespan, with varying resource and support levels. This scoping review provides valuable insight into the skills required to care for diverse communities. Understanding these requirements is essential, as it can inform the future focus on rural and remote nurse education and training and its subsequent impact on the quality of care for people living in rural and remote communities.

Stakeholders' Actions, Responsibility and Limitations in Support of Nursing Students Experiencing Workplace Violence During Clinical Placement: The Clinical Facilitators View

ABSTRACT

Background

Workplace violence toward nurses is a significant global issue affecting their mental and physical health, job satisfaction and performance, and can ultimately lead to decisions to leave the profession. As the least experienced caregivers in the health workforce, nursing students are particularly vulnerable to experiencing workplace violence and are often powerless to deal with WPV incidents.

Aim

To examine clinical facilitators' insights into how to support nursing students following experiences of workplace violence during their clinical placement.

Design

An exploratory, descriptive qualitative design.

Methods

Data were collected between September and November 2022 using semi-structured interviews with 11 clinical facilitators working in South Australia, each lasting about 1 h. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Clinical facilitators identified that many students found support and solace from avenues outside of the CFs and university staff, including ward staff, family, friends and other students. However, students are limitedly prepared for the realities of clinical work, particularly concerning workplace violence, and that the university supports available were reactive to events in the clinical environment.

Conclusion

Addressing workplace violence requires systemic changes, better support for clinical facilitators and a steadfast commitment by all stakeholders to student safety.

Implications for the Profession

Solid collaborations between universities and clinical facilities with clear guidelines and direct lines to address potential violence issues are essential. Zero-tolerance policies regarding workplace violence could provide a safer environment that promotes nursing student learning outcomes, safer placements, better student experiences and optimal healthcare provision.

Reporting Method

COREQ guidelines were adhered to for reporting qualitative research.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This paper specifically explores the perspective of the clinical facilitator's experience of WPV in their role of supporting student learning during clinical placement.

Validation of an Oral Health Tool for Clinicians to Screen Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

ABSTRACT

Aims

To develop and validate a screening tool to identify patients with cardiovascular disease at risk of poor oral health and requiring referrals.

Design

This study was part of a larger pilot study involving a cross-sectional survey and an oral health assessment conducted with patients with cardiovascular disease.

Methods

A four-item screening tool was developed by an expert panel and validated through a cross-sectional survey of patients with cardiovascular disease. The survey contained the tool and the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) (first gold standard). Additionally, all survey participants were provided a clinical oral health assessment (second gold standard). Sensitivity and specificity analysis was undertaken comparing the tool to the two gold standards to assess patients with cardiovascular disease at risk of poor oral health.

Results

Three hundred and twenty-one participants completed the cross-sectional survey and eighty nine undertook the oral health assessment. Results from both approaches showed that the tool had high sensitivities (OHIP-14 = 89%, Oral assessment = 88%) and low specificities (OHIP-14 = 33% and Oral assessment = 24%).

Conclusion

The four-item screening tool is a simple and valid tool to identify patients with cardiovascular disease at risk of poor oral health and requiring a dental referral. The tool could be incorporated into routine practice of nurses across various cardiac settings.

Nurses' Perspectives on the Use of Prophylactic Dressings to Prevent Pressure Injury: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To understand, from a nursing perspective, factors affecting the use of prophylactic dressings to prevent pressure injuries in acute hospitalised adults.

Background

Pressure injury causes harm to patients and incurs significant costs to health services. Significant emphasis is placed on their prevention. Relatively recently, prophylactic dressings have been promoted to reduce pressure injury development. However, in the acute care setting, information about the clinical use of these dressing is lacking.

Design

Qualitative, descriptive.

Methods

Nineteen medical and surgical nurses participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was performed using an inductive approach using NVivo software.

Results

Three themes were identified, reflecting factors that influenced and perpetuated indiscriminate use of prophylactic dressings: False sense of security; Convenience and task prioritisation; and Navigating challenges in evidence-based pressure injury prevention.

Conclusions

The findings indicate inconsistent prevention practices, with prophylactic dressings often applied without justification or referral to research-based evidence to guide clinical decision-making. There was a prevailing attitude of ‘job done’ when a prophylactic dressing was applied.

Impact

This study has identified several factors that perpetuate the inappropriate use of prophylactic dressings for pressure injury prevention that may be amenable to organisational change. The findings indicate that nurses often rely on these dressings as a shortcut due to time constraints, which led to missed skin assessments and low-value care. The research can be used to inform the development of clear guidelines on dressings within hospital settings which encourage assessment-based selection for their use, and process-based guidance for their application, skin surveillance, dressing inspection and removal.

Reporting Method

The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) reporting guideline was followed.

Patient or Public Contribution

Neither patients nor the public were directly involved in this study.

Improving recognition of early clinical decline: Determining reliability and validity of the Garvey clinical warning curves

Abstract

Background

New graduate nurses have difficulty recognizing and managing the early signs of clinical decline, resulting in a Failure to Rescue (FTR) event and preventable patient death. To address this gap, Garvey developed a series of Clinical Warning Curves as an instructional tool for new graduate nurses in an academic medical center. The Garvey Clinical Warning Curve models depict the progression of clinical changes in six body systems that occur before cardiac arrest.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to establish the content validity, reliability, and usability of the Garvey Clinical Warning Curves among healthcare experts and new-graduate nurses.

Methods

The current study was a cross-sectional, observational, validation survey design. Content experts used the content validity index (CVI) to evaluate the Curves.

Results

All but the temperature curves were rated as “acceptable” (CVI >0.60) for relevance, clarity, and ambiguity. The new graduate nurses who reviewed the case studies and placed patients onto the Clinical Warning Curves did so similarly, generating high intraclass correlation (ICC) scores. The usability survey components measured the perceptions of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility for the use of the six Clinical Warning Curves in practice settings. All components of the Curves had an average score of 4.0 or greater except for the level of complexity which scored 3.88.

Linking Evidence to Action

The Garvey Clinical Warning Curves emerged as valid and reliable tools that aid new graduate nurses in recognizing subtle signs of clinical decline. Because timely recognition and communication of clinical decline are key to preventing FTR events and avoiding patient deaths, it would be beneficial to provide the Clinical Warning Curves as a bedside resource for new graduate nurses during their orientation to the unit or within a nurse residency program.

Age‐Friendly Healthcare: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis

ABSTRACT

Aims

Aging populations require adapting healthcare systems for older adult's specific needs. Numerous initiatives to improve older-patient care have emerged, but the field lacks a unified framework. The current study aims to provide a systematic concept analysis of ‘age-friendly healthcare’, examining its characteristics, components and structure.

Design

Rodger's evolutionary concept analysis.

Data Sources

Searches were conducted in ProQuest, CINAHL, PubMed and Scopus databases between November 2022 and October 2023, utilising the PRISMA 2020 reporting checklist.

Methods

A literature search using specific terms relevant to age-friendly healthcare retrieved 1407 articles. After screening for duplicates and relevance, 140 articles were examined for eligibility based on inclusion criteria for age-friendly care, language and full-text availability. Following full-text screening, 65 articles were included for data extraction by multiple researchers to synthesise theoretical, methodological and design elements.

Results

Our findings highlight key attributes of age-friendly healthcare: Respect for older adults' autonomy and needs; leadership and organisational knowledge and support; Proactive policies and processes of care; holistic care environments; and communication and follow-up with awareness of challenges and barriers as well as prioritisation of continuity-of-care.

Conclusion

The concept of age-friendly healthcare is still developing, with much research focused on development and implementation rather than evaluation of real-world patient and health-system outcomes. Our analysis of the concept may help unify the field and clarify future research directions through identification of areas requiring further study and enable development of improved practices and policies for implementing age-friendly healthcare in a variety of settings.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This concept analysis did not include any patient or public involvement.

Reporting Method

This study utilised the PRISMA reporting checklist.

Culturally responsive care in haemodialysis: A scoping review

Abstract

Aim

To describe how clinicians provide culturally responsive care to culturally diverse people with kidney failure in haemodialysis centres.

Background

Culturally diverse individuals receiving in-centre maintenance haemodialysis have unique cultural needs. Unmet cultural needs can impair and profoundly affect their experiences. Given culturally responsive care has the potential to enhance the experiences of culturally diverse people, it is vital to understand how clinicians provide culturally responsive care.

Method

A scoping review was undertaken using Arksey and OMalleys framework. Five databases: Medline and CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), PsycINFO, Embase (OVID) and ProQuest Theses and Dissertation databases were searched for research literature published in English between 1990 and 2023. Narrative synthesis was used to synthesise the data.

Results

From the 17,271 records screened, 17 papers reporting 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis revealed two themes: (i) communication enablers and barriers including linguistic differences, professional and lay interpreter use; and (ii) the importance of culture, which encompassed acknowledging cultural priorities, accommodating cultural food preferences and access to cultural training.

Conclusion

While competing priorities associated with haemodialysis may be a challenge for clinicians, recognising the significance of cultural care needs and accommodating them in care is important. Demonstrating respect towards cultural diversity and providing person-centred care by facilitating the unique cultural needs of people with kidney failure in haemodialysis is imperative.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Culturally responsive care is complex and multidimensional. Individuals' cultural care needs should be acknowledged, respected, and accommodated in care.

Patient or Public contribution

No patient or public contribution. The study protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework. https://osf.io/uv8g3.

Implementation of an external female urinary catheter strategy on prevention of skin breakdown in acute care: A quality improvement study

Abstract

Aim(s)

To evaluate the incidence of skin-related complications attributable to incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) using an external female urinary catheter device strategy for urinary incontinent (UI) patients in acute care.

Design

Multicenter quality improvement study.

Methods

Randomized allocation of two commercially available external female urinary catheter devices was used in hospitalized UI female patients. Daily nursing skin assessments were documented in the electronic health record before, during and after external catheter device application. Methods and results were reported following SQUIRE guidelines.

Results

Three hundred and eighty-one patients from 57 inpatient care units were included in the analysis. Both catheter devices were associated with an overall low risk (5 %) of new or worsening skin breakdown.

Conclusion

The overall benefit of external catheters is most persuasive for skin integrity, rather than infection prevention.

Impact

Significant negative outcomes are associated with UI patients. External female urinary catheters are a non-invasive alternative strategy to reduce exposure of regional skin to urine contamination and IAD-related skin complications. Use of external female urinary catheters in hospitalized UI female patients offers low risk (5%) of new or worsening overall skin breakdown.

Patient Contribution

Hospitalized UI female patients were screened for external catheter device eligibility by the bedside nurse. The quality improvement review committee waved consent because the intervention was considered standard care.

“Perinatal loss, a devastating cyclone”: A situation‐specific nursing theory

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to develop a preliminary theory that explores in depth into understanding the experiences of women who have suffered a spontaneous perinatal loss during any trimester of their pregnancy regarding their emotional response to this loss.

Design

A grounded theory approach was used, and 25 in-depth interviews were conducted with Spanish women who suffered a spontaneous perinatal loss.

Methods

Theoretical sampling and constant comparative analysis were used to reach theoretical saturation. EQUATOR guidelines were followed, using the COREQ checklist.

Results

The “Perinatal loss, a devastating cyclone,” a situation-specific nursing theory, explains the process that a woman experiences when she loses her baby at any stage of pregnancy, drawing an analogy with tropical cyclones as natural disasters that destroy everything in their path. This situation-specific theory includes three dimensions, explaining the phases identified in the perinatal loss process (phase prior to impact [before the perinatal loss], impact phase [diagnostic moment], emergency phase [hospital care], relief or honeymoon phase [return home], disillusionment or stock-taking phase [after the first postloss days at home], reconstruction and recovery phase [grief construction process] and consequences [with an eye to the future]). Three intervention areas were described around the perinatal loss process: “rescue area” (partner, grandparents, and siblings of the deceased baby), “relief area” (healthcare professionals), and “base camp” (society).

Conclusion

The situation-specific nursing theory “Perinatal loss, a devastating cyclone” is the final product of a grounded theory study that provided an in-depth analysis of women's experiences when they suffer a spontaneous perinatal loss at any point in their pregnancy.

Clinical Relevance

The situation-specific theory “Perinatal loss, a devastating cyclone” with the seven identified phases and the three areas of intervention could be used as a framework for healthcare professionals in their clinical practice as a guide to support women in this disfranchised grief.

Measurement properties of patient‐reported outcome measures for women with dysmenorrhea: A systematic review

Abstract

Background

Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain, is a subjective experience, and can only be assessed by patient-reported outcomes. These instruments should be reliable, valid and responsive.

Aim

To identify and critically appraise the available evidence for the measurement properties of specific patient-reported outcome measures used for dysmenorrhea.

Methods

The PRISMA statement was used to report this systematic review. Databases searched were PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar (April 2021; updated on February 2023). Original studies with primary data collection, with no restriction on language and publication date that reported psychometric properties of one or more dysmenorrhea-related patient-reported outcome measure. The literature searches, selection of studies, data extraction and assessment of the risk of bias were performed independently by two reviewers and followed the COSMIN guidelines.

Results

Thirty studies were analysed in this review, and 19 patient-reported outcome measures were evaluated. The instruments varied in relation to the measured construct and measurement properties (validity, reliability and responsiveness). The methodological quality of the studies and the quality of evidence of the patient-reported outcome measures were variable. Among the 13 studies that reported the development of patient-reported outcome measures, most had inadequate methodological quality, and the overall rating was insufficient or inconsistent.

Conclusions

The Dysmenorrhea Symptom Interference (DSI) scale was the only identified patient-reported outcome measure that has the potential to be recommended because of its sufficient rating combined with moderate quality of evidence for content validity. Future studies should further evaluate the measurement properties of the existing patient-reported outcome measures, or develop new patient-reported outcome measures following the COSMIN methodology.

Patient or public contribution

Not applicable as this is a systematic review.

Trial registration

PROSPERO protocol: CRD42021244410. Registration on April 22, 2021.

‘My sexual desires, everything, my normal life just stops’; a qualitative study of male sexual health in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Aim

To describe and interpret the sexual health experiences of men with IBD.

Design

Interpretive qualitative study.

Methods

In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 men with a diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using constant comparative, thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes were identified from interview data: (1) the disease shapes intimate connections, (2) the disease thwarts sexual experiences and (3) the disease disrupts male gender norms. Men reported that active disease lowered libido and could change pre-, inter- and post-coital sexual practices. All participants noted that health professionals did not initiate the discussion of sexual health and well-being needs in the outpatient hospital setting. Men who engaged in receptive anal sex reported a lack of disease-specific guidance and understanding from professionals.

Conclusion

Inflammatory bowel disease can negatively impact the sexual well-being, gender identity and activities of men. Further research is required to identify the care preferences of men with IBD and clarify the barriers and facilitators to sexual health assessment so that nurses may better support the health needs of this population.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care

This study highlights the need for sexual health and well-being support that is specific to disease and gender in IBD. There is a paucity of information and guidance for men with peri-anal disease and proctitis who engage in receptive anal sex, which requires urgent attention.

Reporting Method

Reporting follows the COREQ checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

A patient and public involvement group informed the development of the study design. The group reviewed public facing documents and interview guides. One member of the group provided comments on the identified themes.

❌