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A symptom-triggered therapy protocol was initiated for treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, with observed decreases in length of stay, transfers to higher level of care, and benzodiazepine use, proving it more effective and safer in managing patients than fixed-schedule dosing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of implementing hourly rounding on restraint use in the clinical setting. Study results indicate implementing an hourly rounding program had significant impact on restraint use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Missed nursing care is defined as omitting or delaying the whole or part of required care for patients. This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed missed nursing care and related factors from the perspective of nurses in oncology departments of medical universities in southeastern Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral chemotherapy exposure for clinical staff who handle or dispose of these drugs improperly can pose health risks. Providing readily accessible resources can improve staff comfort with safe handling practices for oral chemo therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-touch surfaces within the hospital setting such as keyboards can harbor bacteria and facilitate pathogen transmission. UV-C light is ideal for disinfecting electronic devices such as keyboards that are difficult to clean with traditional chemicals and wipes. This project suggested use of low-cost UV-C devices for keyboards may reduce bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using problem-solving methods to build a program that supports evidence-based practices can reduce central lineassociated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) on medical-surgical units. A quality improvement effort to reduce CLABSI on six medical-surgical units to improve patient outcomes and meet regulatory benchmarks is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality improvement project examined the impact of nurses' education on heart failure (HF) self-care management principles and use of the teach-back method on readmission in progressive care units. Educational interventions can increase nurses' knowledge of HF self-care management principles, and use of the teach-back method can help ensure patients receive optimal discharge instructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative behaviors often are directed toward nursing staff in verbal or physical assaults. Nursing staff on non-psychiatric units may not be prepared to manage such situations and need additional support. Behavioral Emergency Response Teams (BERTs) have been effective in supporting nursing staff faced with patients exhibiting these behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simplification and standardization of fall risk assessment tools combined with specific bundled interventions, including patient education, help reduce fall events, promote consistency in assessments and interventions, and improve patient quality of life while lowering risks for injury and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a quality improvement project aimed at implementing a standardized protocol for educating adult patients with decision-making capacity about the importance of selecting a formal surrogate decision-maker (SDM). It details each phase of the project, project evaluation and action plan, and implications for the nursing profession.

This study analyzed PRISM unit applications to identify key characteristics of units that did and did not achieve recognition. Results may provide unit leaders with a roadmap for achieving excellence in medical-surgical patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pilot process used to implement purposeful hourly rounds as part of an existing fall protocol on a 112-bed medical-surgical unit is described. Outcomes achieved as a result of this quality improvement change are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reveals that the American Nurses Association implemented nursing-sensitive indicators (NSIs) such as hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) prevalence as measures of safety to evaluate the quality of nursing care delivered by healthcare facilities and improve patient outcomes. Topics discussed include mortality rate in patients with pressure injuries, excess cost of a hospital stay for each HAPI, and strategies for HAPI prevention.

The article discusses a study that examined skills fairs and the unit-based competence model to assessing competency of nurses in delivering patient care. Nurses were recruited via emails, flyers, and presentations at staff meetings after approval from the organization's Institutional Review Board. The study used focus groups and interviews for data collection. Its credibility was established via continuing data collection until saturation was reached.

A lack of communication during nursing shift report and memory lapse were found to be contributing factors in errors in the monitoring of therapeutic heparin infusions. The process of drawing blood also was found to be a contributing factor. Standardized nursing shift report and standardized anti-Xa testing draw times were implemented to improve monitoring of heparin infusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical incidents occur in all settings, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) must be prepared to manage ensuing impacts. Effective navigational strategies are needed to enhance recovery so HCPs can remain in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing unplanned hospital readmissions to acute care hospitals is a national priority. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to reduce 30-day readmissions for heart failure by implementing an evidence-based transition program. Positive outcomes of the program were promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project demonstrated collaborative rounding can increase patient perception of communication with physician and nurse, and decrease the number of telephone calls needed to clarify patient care. This project also supported use of a simple, inexpensive door sign to promote positive change in communication among healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated perceptions of relatives of patients hospitalized in surgery ward and surgical intensive care unit and medical staff concerning relatives' needs. Overall rankings of the needs were similar. Assurance and anxiety reduction emerged as the most important need category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inpatient hypoglycemia can be expected to increase commensurately with the increasing number of patients with diabetes. This common condition may have negative impact on morbidity, mortality, and costs. Improved recognition, monitoring, and treatment of nosocomial hypoglycemia are achievable nursing outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nursing interventions for patient safety and fall prevention often include restrictive physical restraints. Enclosure beds may be a safe, minimally restrictive, cost-effective alternative for fall prevention. In this study, nurses' experience with enclosure beds had a positive effect on their attitude toward bed use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative health effects of excessive television watching in the inpatient setting are discussed and benefits of alternate leisure activities described. Nursing interventions that promote decreased screen time during hospitalization may motivate the patient to choose healthier activities after discharge, resulting in long-term health benefits for the patient. Suggestions are included for how medicalsurgical nurses can improve patient care and implement an activity program on their units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of massage in hospitalized participants can aid in reducing anxiety, muscle tension, and pain. Findings of this study suggest massage can be a safe, pleasant treatment for hospitalized patients. Incorporating massage into patient care may yield positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this project was to facilitate early recognition of signs and symptoms of sepsis through utilization of a sepsis screening tool along with education of staff nurses on medical-surgical units in two acute care hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study of the effect of an aggregate, electronic modified early warning score, which was integrated into the electronic medical record, on rapid response team (RRT) and cardiopulmonary arrest (CA) calls in telemetry and medical-surgical units. Topics covered include the results of the study related to patient survival to hospital discharge after a CA and RRT activation, its limitations in terms of sample size and evaluation period, and its implications for nursing.

The article presents a double cohort observational retrospective study on outcomes of patient admitted to short-stay units (SSU) in a public academic medical center in northeastern Ohio. It discusses findings on 30-day readmission rates after SSU discharge compared with traditional inpatient medical unit discharge of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, diabetes and pneumonia.

The article presents a study on the effectiveness of transition from physician-driven to nurse-driven weight-based intravenous unfractioned heparin protocol in non-critical units in a hospital. It discusses comparisons of outcomes including comparative activated partial thromboplastin time, bleeding episodes and dosing errors.

The article presents a study on the "Discharge by 11:00 a.m. Program initiative at a 28-bed medical-surgical unit in an academic teaching hospital in southern California. It discusses findings on the correlation of patients discharged by 11:00 a.m. between Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems patient satisfaction scores, impact of the program on unit revenue, wait times in transferring departments and promoting culture of continuous improvement.

Physical assessment by registered nurses plays a key role in preventing sentinel events. Variables that may affect nurses' ability to perform physical assessment consistently were examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anecdotal reports indicate some patients treated in the Emergency Department have used heat and non-evidence-based modalities for acute musculoskeletal injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine if race and ethnicity are associated with the initial home treatment used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This descriptive study used mock codes and a written education intervention to address RN under-performance during patient emergencies. Units with shorter lengths of stay, more experienced RNs, and a greater percentage of RNs had higher mock code scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of patient and nurse perceptions of the effectiveness of interventions to promote patient sleep are described. Feedback from the two groups also is provided on a noninvasive medical device for prototype development that may promote sleep for hospitalized patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study using focus groups of hospital personnel supports known antecedents to falls in a video monitoring (VM) setting. Although VM can improve the understanding of behaviors leading to falls, further research is needed to support VM methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many patients do not have a good understanding of their medications, including opioids, at the time of inpatient discharge. This lack of knowledge may contribute to patients' misuse and abuse of opioid prescriptions. This study found patients have a clearer understanding of safe opioid use when nurses also have a better understanding of safe practices around prescription opioids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical nurses play a vital role in the delivery of patient education. The focus of the project described in this article was to promote a standard of practice that would improve nurses' ability as effective, efficient patient educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses compassion fatigue in nurses, and proposed personal and workplace prevention strategies to help nurses remain capable of providing compassion during patient care. Topics covered include the noted distinction between a burnout and a compassion fatigue, the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue, and the use of the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) as a conceptual model of compassion fatigue.

The article presents a research study published to present the critical-thinking process in practicing medical-surgical registered nurses (RNs) through self-reporting. Topics covered include the highlights of previous research articles relating to critical thinking, critical reasoning, and nurse thought, details relating to the Critical Thinking Diagnostic tool used in the study, and the need for all nurses to develop critical-thinking skills for job satisfaction and improved patient outcomes.

The article presents a research study conducted to evaluate the work and work environments of nurses in relation to repositioning patients to prevent pressure ulcers. Topics covered include the highlights of previous research articles about repositioning of adult patients, the samples, survey design and instruments used in the study, and the procedure of collecting data for the study. It also discusses the silent factors affecting the nurses' work in repositioning adult patients in acute care.

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the effects of a well-functioning rapid response team (RRT) within one facility. A well-functioning RRT was associated with fewer cardiac arrests outside critical care settings and decreased critical care length of stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interruptions decrease the efficiency of the medication administration process. In this study, interruptions were found in 63% of the medication passes on four medical-surgical units in a community hospital. However, interruptions do not always lead to negative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobility in hospitalized patients, particularly the elderly can lead to serious untoward events. A pragmatic ambulation program that could be incorporated easily into clinicians' practice routines significantly improved ambulation in hospitalized patients compared to usual care with no organized emphasis on ambulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interprofessional bedside rounds are essential for patient-centered care. However, it may be difficult for nurses to round with physicians on medical-surgical units. Using a daily goals tool for indirect rounds improved nurse-physician communication and interprofessional care for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating new norms is essential for success as acute care leaders seek to redesign care delivery. Through the structures of the registered nurse (RN) residency and utilizing a quality improvement process, new graduate RNs demonstrated success in creating a centralized float pool resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a survey of nurses and physicians and residents on the efficacy of a pilot program on nurse-initiated protocol for HIV testing on an acute medical-surgical unit. It discusses findings on awareness of nurses of policies on routine offering of HIV testing, preparedness to offer routine HIV testing and educate patients about HIV, response of physicians to the protocol, and patients' responses to HIV screening.

The article presents a study on peripheral intravenous site care using Duffy's Quality-Caring Model. It discusses findings on the complication rates of phlebitis and infiltration between site rotation of peripheral intravenous catheters based on clinical assessment by nurses in a medical-surgical unit and length of time and implications for medical-surgical nursing practice and existing policies for venous access.

The article focuses on the formation of the Multidisciplinary Collaboration Committee (MCC) project to improve communication and teamwork among physicians and nurses. Topics discussed include the Plan, Do, Study, Act Model of quality improvement, voluntary survey to determine experiences of nurses in providing constructive feedback to physicians and post-intervention survey following the formation of MCC.

The article presents a retrospective cohort study on the risk of falls in patients with the use continuous peripheral nerve blocks as pain management strategy for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty in an academic medical center in southern California. It discusses findings on description of fall trends, incidences of falls and number of falls. It also discusses the implications of the research for medical-surgery nurses in inpatient units.

The article describes an evidence-based practice (EBP) intervention for patient safety and falls prevention. It discusses the implementation of the EBP TeamSTEPPS® for communication and teamwork in reducing inpatient falls using the FOCUS-PDCA model for process reviews in quality improvement projects. It describes the formation of the Fall Safety Team including registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses and certified nursing assistants.

The article presents a nursing case study of a 65-year-old ethnic overweight male with type 2 diabetes and hypertension and low health literacy. He suffered a cerebral stroke, was treated with streptokinase, sent home, and directed towards outpatient rehabilitation therapy and a healthy lifestyle education. The patient applied what he had learned which improved his sleeping and eating practices. Also noted are the use of the teach-back strategy and LEARN model to interact with patients.

Objectives To identify the needs of spouses, and develop professional relations and well-planned communication with health professionals. Background Having a partner with a serious illness has an enormous impact, both physically and mentally, on the life of the spouse. Emotional status of the spouse plays an important role in the patient's adaptation to illness. Design This study was designed as an explorative qualitative study using focus group interviews. Methods Focus group interviews with 11 spouses of patients admitted to a general surgical ward were conducted. Data were processed using qualitative content analysis. Results Two overall themes were identified: spouses' experiences of professional support, and professional communication. A majority of the spouses did not find health professionals to be adequately present during the hospital admission. Furthermore, spouses felt communication was lacking or incorrect information was unprofessional and created a feeling of uncertainty. Conclusion Lack of empathy from health professionals and a lack of well-planned communication toward the spouses could be perceived as a lack of involvement and have a negative effect on the spouses. Relevance to Clinical Practice For health professionals, support of spouses should be prioritized to enhance family-centered care. This could be of great benefit to the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]