Dataset Information

Patient transfer from intensive care units to general wards: An exploratory qualitative study of ward nurses' experiences of patient safety.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Patient transfer from intensive care units (ICUs) to general wards is a routine part of hospital care. However, if the transfer is not optimal, it can result in increased readmissions to the ICU, increased stress and discomfort for the patient and, thus, a threat to patient safety. The aim of this study was to explore how general ward nurses experience patient safety during patient transfers from ICUs to general wards.

Design

A qualitative design based on a phenomenological approach was used.

Methods

Two focus group interviews were conducted with a total of eight nurses from a medical ward and a surgical ward at one hospital in Norway. The data were analysed using systematic text condensation.

Results

The nurses' experiences of patient safety during patient transfer had four themes: (1) the importance of preparedness; (2) the importance of the handover of information; (3) stress and a lack of resources and (4) a feeling of two different worlds.

Conclusion

In order to promote patient safety, the informants highlighted the importance of being well prepared for transfer, and to have optimal handover of information. Stress, lack of resources and a feeling of two different worlds may pose threats to patient safety.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care

We suggest several intervention studies testing the effect of intervention improving patient safety during the transfer process are designed, and that increased knowledge in this area is used to develop local practice recommendations.

Patient or public contribution

The participants of this study were nurses and this contribution has been explained in the Data collection section. There was no patient contribution in this study.

SUBMITTER: Nikolaisen MK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10495723 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Patient transfer from intensive care units to general wards: An exploratory qualitative study of ward nurses' experiences of patient safety.

Nikolaisen Mette Kure MK Fridh Stina S Olsen Brita Fosser BF

Nursing open 20230629 10

<h4>Aim</h4>Patient transfer from intensive care units (ICUs) to general wards is a routine part of hospital care. However, if the transfer is not optimal, it can result in increased readmissions to the ICU, increased stress and discomfort for the patient and, thus, a threat to patient safety. The aim of this study was to explore how general ward nurses experience patient safety during patient transfers from ICUs to general wards.<h4>Design</h4>A qualitative design based on a phenomenological ap ...[more]

PMID: 37386753

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Project description:BackgroundTo support early recognition of clinical deterioration on a general ward continuous vital signs monitoring (CMVS) systems using wearable devices are increasingly being investigated. Although nurses play a crucial role in successful implementation, reported nurse adoption and acceptance scores vary significantly. In-depth insight into the perspectives of nurses regarding CMVS is lacking. To this end, we applied a theoretical approach for behaviour change derived from the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW).AimTo provide insight in the capability, opportunity and motivation of nurses working with CMVS, in order to inform future implementation efforts.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted, including twelve nurses of a surgical ward in a tertiary teaching hospital with previous experience of working with CMVS. Semi-structured interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. The results were mapped onto the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation - Behaviour (COM-B) model of the BCW.ResultsFive key themes emerged. The theme 'Learning and coaching on the job' linked to Capability. Nurses favoured learning about CVSM by dealing with it in daily practice. Receiving bedside guidance and coaching was perceived as important. The theme 'interpretation of vital sign trends' also linked to Capability. Nurses mentioned the novelty of monitoring vital sign trends of patients on wards. The theme 'Management of alarms' linked to Opportunity. Nurses perceived the (false) alarms generated by the system as excessive resulting in feelings of irritation and uncertainty. The theme 'Integration and compatibility with clinical workflow' linked to Opportunity. CVSM was experienced as helpful and easy to use, although integration in mobile devices and the EMR was highly favoured and the management of clinical workflows would need improvement. The theme 'Added value for nursing care' linked to Motivation. All nurses recognized the potential added value of CVSM for postoperative care.ConclusionOur findings suggest all parts of the COM-B model should be considered when implementing CVSM on general wards. When the themes in Capability and Opportunity are not properly addressed by selecting interventions and policy categories, this may negatively influence the Motivation and may compromise successful implementation.

Project description:ImportanceIt is unknown which deteriorating ward patients benefit from intensive care unit (ICU) transfer.ObjectivesTo use an instrumental variable (IV) method that assesses heterogeneity and to evaluate estimates of person-centered treatment effects of ICU transfer and 28-day hospital mortality by age and illness severity.Design, setting, and participantsAn analysis of a prospective cohort study from November 1, 2010, to December 31, 2011. The dates of this analysis were June 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. The setting was a multicenter study of 49 UK National Health Service hospitals. Participants were 9192 deteriorating ward patients assessed for ICU transfer (4596 matched pairs). The study matched on baseline characteristics to strengthen the IV and to balance observed confounders between the comparison groups.ExposuresTransfer to the ICU or continued care on general wards.Main outcomes and measuresMortality at 28 days (primary outcome) and 90 days. To address unobserved confounding, ICU bed availability was the IV for whether or not a patient was transferred. The study used the IV approach to evaluate estimates of treatment effect of ICU transfer and mortality according to age and physiological severity alone and in combination.ResultsBoth comparison groups included 4596 patients. In the group assessed with "many" ICU beds available (median, 7), 52.8% were male, and the mean (SD) age was 65.2 (17.7) years; in the group assessed with "few" ICU beds available (median, 2), 53.3% were male, and the mean (SD) age was 65.0 (17.3) years. The overall 28-day mortality estimates were 23.2% (2090 predicted deaths) if all of the matched patients were transferred vs 28.1% (2534 predicted deaths) if none of the matched patients were transferred, an estimated risk difference of -4.9% (95% CI, -26.4% to 16.6%). The estimated effects of ICU transfer differed by age and by physiological severity according to the National Early Warning Score (NEWS): the absolute risk differences in 28-day mortality after ICU transfer ranged from 7.7% (95% CI, -5.5% to 21.0%) for ages 18 to 23 years to -5.0% (95% CI -26.5% to 16.6%) for age 78 to 83 years and ranged from 3.7% (95% CI, -12.1% to 19.5%) for NEWS of 0 to -25.4% (95% CI, -50.6% to -0.2%) for NEWS of 19. The absolute risk differences for elderly patients (≥75 years) were -11.6% (95% CI, -39.0% to 15.8%) for those with high NEWS (>6), -4.8% (95% CI, -30.5% to 20.9%) for those with moderate NEWS (5-6), and -1.0% (95% CI, -24.8% to 22.8%) for those with low NEWS (<5). The corresponding estimates for subgroups of younger patients (<75 years) were -8.4% (95% CI, -31.0% to 14.1%), -2.1% (95% CI, -21.1% to 16.9%), and 1.4% (95% CI, -14.5% to 17.4%).Conclusions and relevanceThis study using a this person-centered IV approach found that the benefits of ICU care may increase among patients at high levels of baseline physiological severity across different age groups, especially among elderly patients.

Project description:PurposeTo systematically review and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in order to improve the safety and efficiency of patient handover between intensive care unit (ICU) and general ward healthcare professionals at ICU discharge.MethodsPubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for intervention studies with the aim to improve clinical handover between ICU and general ward healthcare professionals that had been published up to and including June 2013. The methods for article inclusion and data analysis were pre-specified and aligned with recommendations outlined in the PRISMA guideline. Two reviewers independently extracted data (study purpose, setting, population, method of sampling, sample size, intervention characteristics, outcome, and implementation activities) and assessed the quality of the included studies.ResultsFrom the 6,591 citations initially extracted from the six databases, we included 11 studies in this review. Of these, six (55 %) reported statistically significant effects. Effective interventions included liaison nurses to improve communication and coordination of care and forms to facilitate timely, complete and accurate handover information. Effective interventions resulted in improved continuity of care (e.g., reduced discharge delay) and in reduced adverse events. Inconsistent effects were observed for use of care, namely, reduction of length of stay versus increase of readmissions to higher care. No statistically significant effects were found in the reduction of mortality. The overall methodological quality of the 11 studies reviewed was relatively low, with an average score of 4.5 out of 11 points.ConclusionsThis review shows that liaison nurses and handover forms are promising interventions to improve the quality of patient handover between the ICU and general ward. More robust evidence is needed on the effectiveness of interventions aiming to improve ICU handover and supportive implementation strategies.

Dataset Information

Patient transfer from intensive care units to general wards: An exploratory qualitative study of ward nurses' experiences of patient safety.

Aim

Design

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Implications for the profession and/or patient care

Patient or public contribution

Publications

Patient transfer from intensive care units to general wards: An exploratory qualitative study of ward nurses' experiences of patient safety.

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