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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]

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]

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 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 trends in nursing care efficiency in acute care nursing units in the U.S. Topics discussed include adaptation of the Donabedian quality improvement model, definition of efficiency in the health care system and use of the data envelopment analysis to estimate efficiency. It discusses findings on changes in efficiency between Magnet and non-Magnet hospital units, teaching status and nurse staffing skills.

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]

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.

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]

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 describes the manner the Mercy Medical Center utilized education to implement shared governance (SG) in less than two years. It details a descriptive, quasi-experimental study conducted to identify if implementation of shared governance could be done more efficiently and effectively using a comprehensive and robust education plan, to determine whether subscales of SG would increase post implementation, and whether characteristics had an impact on successful implementation of SG.

Introduction The results are presented from a grounded theory study that theorized nurse physician collaboration as a basic social process in which groups are formed and changed in harmony. Effective collaboration is essential to superior patient care and outcomes but a lack of theoretical basis for collaboration has hampered the study of collaboration and the optimization of patient care. Purpose The purpose of this study was to theorize collaboration as a basic social process occurring between nurses and physicians. Method Grounded theory was used to explore nurses' and physicians' experiences with collaboration to understand the process intrinsically. Following Institutional Review Board approval, 15 nurses and 7 resident physicians from various units within an academic medical center participated in face-to-face interviews regarding their experiences of collaboration. Data collection and constant comparison analysis continued concurrently until saturation was reached in the core and subsequent categories. Findings The basic social process of nurse-physician collaboration that emerged includes the core category of working together toward a common goal. It describes how nurses and physicians collaborate for patient care. The seven stages in the process are something needs our attention, knowing who to talk to, finding the right person, coming together, exchanging ideas and information, making it happen, and monitoring progress. Conclusion Working together toward a common goal is an empirically derived theory that can guide education and practice to improve patient outcomes, while saving money and lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research on nurses' perception of their role, team performance and educational needs in the use of an electronic survey during resuscitation. Topics covered include cardiovascular disease as the top cause of death in the U.S. and how a high-performing team can surpass expectations in many instances.

Heart failure affects 5.1 million Americans. It is the leading cause of hospitalization in older adults and the most common cause of re-admissions, which cost approximately $12 billion annually. Re-admissions can be reduced through increased nurses’ knowledge in heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sleep is one of the most important factors in maintaining good health (Pilkington, 2013). Prolonged lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, irritability, decreased pain tolerance, increased corticosteroid and catecholamine levels, and decreased ability to heal (Gay, 2010; Unsal & Demir, 2012; Venkateshiah & Collop, 2012; Yilmaz, Sayin, & Gurler, 2012). Methods: A convenience sample of nurses from general medical and surgical units in a 321-bed tertiary care facility in north central Wisconsin was used for this pilot study. The purpose of this study was to identify nurses' knowledge regarding sleep quality outcomes in acutely ill patients, and determine if nurses understand the negative effects of insomnia and if knowledge of the effects of quality sleep impacts sleep-promotion activities. Additionally, the study was completed to determine if a knowledge deficit is present in nurses related to patients' sleep quality in the acute care setting. Results: The answers revealed similarities in terms of how insomnia affects patients in the acute care setting. Nurses from both units were knowledgeable in recognizing negative effects of insomnia. No knowledge deficit was identified related to how quality sleep promotes healing. Recognition of the physical and psychological benefits of sleep in the acute care setting did not prompt changes in nursing care to promote sleep, except for older adult patients when Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) strategies had been implemented. Conclusions: Nurses are knowledgeable concerning the importance of sleep, effects of insomnia on patients' ability to heal, and strategies to prevent insomnia in the acute care setting. Despite that knowledge, however, barriers to sleep promotion still exist. Results of this study could be used to develop standards to promote sleep for all patients in the acute care setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study which identifies the baseline diabetes knowledge level of nurses and evaluates educational module's efficacy that was made to identify level of diabetes knowledge of direct-care nurses. The study uses intervention, pre-test, and post-test design to identify the knowledge of nurses along with Diabetes Basic Knowledge Test (DBKT) and Diabetes Self-Report Tool (DSRT). Result shows an increase in nurse autonomy to manage hypoglycemia events.

The article presents a study which investigates the use of an alternative taping device to reduce the incidence of nasal pressure ulcers (NPUs) among patients. The study compares the impact of the commercially available device and conventional adhesive taping for nasogastric tubes (NGTs) and for NPUs. Results show that the commercially available device reduces the incidence of NPUs compared to conventional adhesive tape.

Introduction: Palliative care is an important aspect of nursing when comfort and quality of life are the patient goals. Literature about practicing nurses, whether new graduates or more experienced, suggests they feel unprepared for end-of-life care. The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) developed a comprehensive program of teaching care of the dying to nurses and nursing students throughout the United States. Purpose of Study: Researchers conducted this phenomenological study to explore the lived experiences of recent graduates who received ELNEC education content in their nursing programs and who cared for a dying patient within the first year of clinical practice. Methodology: Using open-ended semi-structured questions, researchers conducted taped interviews with a convenience sample of 12 recent graduates to capture the nurses' narratives. The stories of these new nurses highlighted issues they encountered and interventions they implemented to address these issues. Colaizzi's method of content analysis was employed. Findings: Final themes that emerged were facilitating a good death, realizing intrinsic rewards, learning through impressionable experiences, and maintaining balance. Conclusions: This research revealed the experiences of new nurses who received ELNEC education in their nursing programs and who cared for dying patients within the first year of practice, highlighting issues they encountered and interventions they implemented to address these issues. Stones from these participants' lived experiences offer helpful insight into the challenges of implementing EOL care in clinical practice as they supported patients and families through the dying process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose In this study, differences and relationships among variables in sleep quality/quantity and self-reported viral illness between day and non-day shift hospital nurses were examined. Design and Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study used the 10-item Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire to measure quality of sleep in 1 31 direct-care nurses from a 246-bed community-owned hospital in the northwestern United States. Findings Non-day shift nurses used more techniques to stay awake while at work or aid in sleep at home. No differences were found between shifts in reported absenteeism for viral illness (m=2.9 days), or hours of reported sleep (m=7.5); significant differences were found in non-day shift quality of sleep compared to day shift nurses and between age groups. Conclusion Sleep disturbances are present among nurses and differ depending on shift worked and nurse's age. No association was found between sleep and reported viral illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study regarding the use of a cyanoacrylate protectant for the treatment of partial-thickness skin tears. It says that all patients with Payne-Martin I-III skin tears have been treated with topical cyanoacrylate skin protectant in one medical-surgical unit. It mentions that patients treated with such method for skin tears were assessed by a registered nurse (RN). Results show that anticoagulants were prescribed to 50% of the patients while 23% received corticosteroids.

Falls are an important measure of nursing quality and patient safety. In this study, a significant difference was found in the mean fall risk scores on the HIIFRM between persons (acute care patients with diagnoses of heart failure, diabetes, and stroke) who fell and those who did not (t = -2.371, p=0.02). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Nursing documentation has shifted from the written medical record to the electronic health record (EHR) because use of the EHR is considered to be beneficial to the quality and safety of health care. After implementation of the EHR, improved communication between certified nursing assistants, dietary staff, social workers, and nurses should result in more timely referrals, treatments, and changes in care plans. The EHR provides a comprehensive template to remind nurses to record the pressure ulcer stage, size, location, risk assessment, nursing diagnoses, goals, and planned interventions. Purpose The purpose of this pilot project was to track the EHR documentation of pressure ulcers on a medical-surgical unit and compare the EHR with the written medical record. Method A pilot study was completed at a 560-bed hospital located in Miami, FL. A convenience sample of 139 medical and surgical patients who met the inclusion criteria was used. Recorded data on pressure ulcers were reviewed retrospectively. Data collection included patient demographics, Braden Scale scores, presence of pressure ulcer, and detailed documentation of pressure ulcer on both the EHR and written medical record. A descriptive study design was completed to compare the EHR to the written medical record. Findings Eleven patients (N=139) developed pressure ulcers. Inconsistencies were found in the nursing documentation of pressure ulcers when comparing the EHR to the written medical record. Conclusions Results of this pilot study illustrated that patients' records (EHR and written) are not reflective of routine hospital policies for the documentation of pressure ulcers. Education related to the use of the EHR for pressure ulcer documentation should be reinforced among nurses. In addition, a need exists for guidelines to standardize and routinely evaluate EHR documentation in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Collaboration between nurses and physicians is essential in fostering interdisciplinary relationships. Specialty practice may influence the quality of this collaboration. Effective communication and collegial RN-MD relationships are critical to improved patient outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify differences in nurses' perceptions of collaborative efforts between nurses and physicians in medical-surgical (MSUs) units versus intensive care units (ICUs). Results: A descriptive survey methodology was employed. Nurses in three ICUs and eight MSUs within a 975-bed Magnet® hospital completed a 25-item Nurse- Physician Relationship survey, used in previous studies on RN-MD communication. The sample (N=170) consisted of 54% medical-surgical nurses and 46% ICU nurses. No statistically significant differences were found in the demographic variables between the MSU and ICU nurses except for educational degree. A greater percentage of ICU nurses held a bachelor's degree. This study found that although some differences existed in ICU and MSU nurses' perceptions of RN-MD collaboration, there are more similarities between the two areas. Overall, nurses were satisfied with RN-MD relationships, with 75% of ICU and 65% of MSU nurses reporting satisfaction (p=0.110). MSU nurses were less likely to participate in interdisciplinary rounds than ICU nurses (p<0.001). ICU nurses were more likely than MSU nurses to report that physicians treat nurses as handmaidens (p=0.056) and that physicians displayed unprofessional behavior (p=0.019). Conclusions: Certain nursing specialty areas are not immune to problems with RN-MD relationships. Rather, all clinical service lines should be concerned with fostering colle- giality between nurses and their physician partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study investigating that was developed on intervention of nurses to promote appropriate nursing knowledge and behaviors related to vancomycin and aminoglycoside administration. A method was developed to educate the nurses which resulted in substantial improvement related to the appropriate timing for therapeutic blood sampling of vancomycin and aminoglycosides.

The article discusses a study to evaluate the postmortem policies in some California hospitals to describe the current practice, the scope of care provided, and probable conflicts in postmortem care. The findings stressed on improvement in the themes such as inconsistent terminologies for dead and death, care for the corpse, legal obligations, and support for family. Patient-centered, evidence-based quality care until release of the body must be given.

The article discusses about a study examining the relationship between nurse staffing and the occurrence of medication errors. The results indicate that even a small number of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in staffing can contribute to medication errors. The article also suggests that increasing the number of Registered Nurses (RN) hours and decreasing or eliminating LPN hours can be used as a strategy to reduce medication errors.

Given the ample evidence delirium in hospitalized older adults is under-diagnosed and not recognized by nurses up to 85% of the time, interventions are needed at the point of care to assist nurses in recognizing delirium. In this qualitative study, factors that might influence the implementation of a point-of-care screening tool for delirium were examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this exploratory survey study was to determine the perspectives of patients and family visitors about the reasons for and nature of patient- and family-initiated call lights, call light use, and response time to call lights. Fifty-three percent of participants (n=63) perceived most of their call lights mattered to their safety. Participants believed answering call lights should be a priority among patient care tasks as a critical aspect of nursing staff roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As blood products are being used more judiciously, registered nurses need to develop practices to facilitate the effective administration of these products. The study results suggest both the syringe push method and the continuous infusion method of normal saline provide adequate line patency during packed red blood cell infusions through peripheral catheters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights a study which used a within-unit-over-time methodology to estimate the effects of unit-level nurse staffing on unplanned readmissions and emergency department (ED) visits within 30 days post-discharge. It emphasizes that nurse managers, directors, and administrators should understand the impact of registered nurse (RN) staffing on patient outcomes. Also discussed is a proposal by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to reduce readmission/ED visits.

Registered nurses were queried about their knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management. Results suggest knowledge of pain management principles and interventions is insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compassion is thought of as a nursing quality that impacts patient care. Research to describe compassion among nurses is nonexistent. In this study, the complexities of compassion, its effect on patient care, and the historical roots of compassion are explored. Attempts are made to measure levels of compassion rendered by the health care team, including physicians, physician's assistants, and nurses. This descriptive study is designed to explore the qualities of compassionate nurses as perceived by patients in medical-surgical units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nursing shortage remains problematic, yet research with nurses no longer in clinical practice is scarce. The purpose of this study was to understand the factors influencing the decision of registered nurses (RNs) to leave clinical nursing. A phenomenological research design was chosen to reveal the complex phenomena influencing the RNs' decisions to leave clinical nursing practice. Interviews were conducted with RNs who were no longer practicing clinically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Robert Wood Johnson Inundation grant-funded research examined nursing satisfaction with devices used in the target hospital's minimal lift program. It also investigated the possibility of maintaining or increasing retention of experienced nurses at the bedside by reducing potential patient movement-related injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article cites a study analyzing fluctuating unit census for timely staffing intervention of nurses in U.S. hospitals, from a nursing administration perspective and from a nursing informatics perspective. The computer system in the study hospital, labeled Caregiver Patient Ratio (CGPR) which provides timely tracking of nursing care hours and patient census data, was used to generate field study data. Data from the CGPR system were reviewed to identify units with a large amount of admission/discharge/transfer (ADT) activity. Although data were available from a total of 48 units, units having psychiatric, obstetrical, pediatric, or operating room/post-anesthesia patients were excluded from analysis to provide a more manageable sample size. From the selected units, data on midnight census, average daily census data, and total treated patients were examined. From the nursing administrative perspective, findings of the study, reportedly, seem to indicate that better data are needed related to nursing time spent with ADT patients.

The article focuses on the implementation of patient-focused diaries or medical diary by hospitals for continual documentation of events throughout the hospital course. It says that the creation of the medical diary encompasses the aspects needed to provide patients with photographs of their hospital stay. It adds that the diary's pages detail the unit information, abnormal laboratory work, and notes for patients for references throughout the health care continuum.