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Background: Medical Records Reviews (MRR) are commonly used in research and quality activities in health care, however, there is a paucity of literature offering a step by step guide to devising a reliable, user-friendly tool. Aim: This instructional paper focuses on the stages used to design and implement successful MRR using examples from two reviews in Australian rural hospitals investigating the responses of Registered Nurses to patient deterioration, and guided by time series principals. Methods: The MRR were conducted in two rural hospitals in conjunction with a simulation learning intervention where nurses rehearsed clinical management of a deteriorating patient. A six-step template is presented to guide practitioners on how to design and use a MRR tool. Conclusion: When well-planned and appropriately used, MRR provides an excellent means for examining patient outcomes in addition to safety and quality of care.
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Background Health professionals work in teams in a variety of health care settings especially in medical emergency teams at times of crisis. However, Registered Nurses (RNs) rarely have the chance to partake in educational programs designed for teams of nurses to practice working together in life-threatening situations. Further RN’s employed in rural setting have less opportunities for professional development than their city based counterparts. Simulated scenarios with a patient actor in a rural hospital have been utilised in this study to provide nurses with the opportunity to work as a team in the early recognition and management of patients with acute medical conditions. Aim This discussion paper focuses on one aspect of a larger research project with the aim of describing the development of team based scenarios for a rural hospital setting, focusing on the detection and management of a deteriorating patient. Methods Three team based scenarios, the related assessments and feedback techniques are all described. Conclusion Team based simulation provides a unique opportunity to assist registered nurses in rural settings in re-skilling or maintaining their emergency management skills.
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Aim. This is a report of a study investigating processes used by final-year nursing students to recognize and act on clinical cues of deterioration in a simulated environment. Background. Initial decisions about patients who are deteriorating in medical and surgical wards are often made by newly qualified nurses and doctors, increasing the risk of clinical error. There has been an emphasis on the use of teams in simulation; however, signs of deterioration are missed by individual clinicians. Methods. During July 2008, final-year undergraduate nursing students in Australia attended a simulation laboratory for 1Æ5 hours and completed a knowledge questionnaire and two (mannequin-based) scenarios simulating deteriorating patients with hypovolaemic and septic shock. Scenarios were video-recorded and reflective interviews conducted. Additionally, scenarios were stopped around the midpoint to ascertain students’ level of Situation Awareness. Results. Fifty-one students participated in the study, providing a total of 102 videoed scenarios and 51 interviews. Thematic analysis of video data and reflective interviews identified considerable differences in processes used by students to identify cues. Four aspects of cue recognition were evident: initial response, differential recognition of cues, accumulation of signs and diversionary activity. Conclusion. Nursing skills training should emphasize the importance of trends in identifying and acting on deterioration and the need for systematic assessment in stressful situations. Nursing curricula should focus on enhancing the ability to piece information together, including linking pathophysiology with patient assessment, and identify trends, rather than seeing observations as parallel to each other.
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Delayed assessment and mismanagement of patient deterioration is a substantial problem for which educational preparation can have an impact. This paper describes the development of the FIRST2ACT simulation model based on well-established theory and contemporary empirical evidence. The model combines evidence-based elements of assessment, simulation, self-review and expert feedback, and has been tested in undergraduate nurses, student midwives and post-registration nurses. Participant evaluations indicated a high degree of satisfaction and substantial self-rated increases in knowledge, confidence and competence. This evidence-based model should be considered for both undergraduate and post-registration education programs.
Description:
Objectives The study aim was to examine how Registered Nurses identify and respond to deteriorating patients during in-hospital simulation exercises. Design Mixed methods study using simulated actors. Setting A rural hospital in Victoria, Australia. Participants Thirty-four Registered Nurses each completed two simulation exercises. Methods Data were obtained from the following sources: (a) Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) rating to assess performance of Registered Nurses during two simulation exercises (chest pain and respiratory distress); (b) video footage of the simulation exercises; (c) reflective interview during participants’ review of video footage. Qualitative thematic analysis of video and interview data was undertaken. Results Themes generated from the data were: (1) exhausting autonomous decision-making; (2) misinterpreting the evidence; (3) conditioned response; and (4) missed cues. Assessment steps were more likely to be omitted in the chest pain simulation, for which there was a hospital protocol in place. Conclusions Video review revealed additional insights into nurses’ decision-making that were not evident from OSCE scoring alone. Feedback during video review was a highly valued component of the simulation exercises.
Description:
Aim: To examine, in a simulated environment, rural nurses’ ability to assess and manage patient deterioration using measures of knowledge, situation awareness and skill performance. Background: Nurses’ ability to manage deterioration and ‘failure to rescue’ are of significant concern with questions over knowledge and clinical skills. Simulated emergencies may help to identify and develop core skills. Methods: An exploratory quantitative performance review. Thirty five nurses from a single ward completed a knowledge questionnaire and two video recorded simulated scenarios in a rural hospital setting. Patient actors simulated deteriorating patients with an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as the primary diagnosis. How aware individuals were of the situation (levels of situation awareness) were measured at the end of each scenario. Results: Knowledge of deterioration management varied considerably (range: 27%-91%) with a mean score of 67%. Average situation awareness scores and skill scores across the two scenarios (AMI and COPD) were low (50%) with many important observations and actions missed. Participants did identify that ‘patients’ were deteriorating but as each patient deteriorated staff performance declined with a reduction in all observational records and actions. In many cases, performance decrements appeared to be related to high anxiety levels. Participants tended to focus on single signs and symptoms and failed to use a systematic approach to patient assessment. Conclusion: Knowledge and skills were generally low in this rural hospital sample with notable performance decrements as patients acutely declined. Educational models that incorporate high fidelity simulation and feedback techniques are likely to have a significant positive impact on performance.
Description:
Aim: To examine, in a simulated environment, rural nurses’ ability to assess and manage patient deterioration using measures of knowledge, situation awareness and skill performance. Background: Nurses’ ability to manage deterioration and ‘failure to rescue’ are of significant concern with questions over knowledge and clinical skills. Simulated emergencies may help to identify and develop core skills. Methods: An exploratory quantitative performance review. Thirty five nurses from a single ward completed a knowledge questionnaire and two video recorded simulated scenarios in a rural hospital setting. Patient actors simulated deteriorating patients with an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as the primary diagnosis. How aware individuals were of the situation (levels of situation awareness) were measured at the end of each scenario. Results: Knowledge of deterioration management varied considerably (range: 27%-91%) with a mean score of 67%. Average situation awareness scores and skill scores across the two scenarios (AMI and COPD) were low (50%) with many important observations and actions missed. Participants did identify that ‘patients’ were deteriorating but as each patient deteriorated staff performance declined with a reduction in all observational records and actions. In many cases, performance decrements appeared to be related to high anxiety levels. Participants tended to focus on single signs and symptoms and failed to use a systematic approach to patient assessment. Conclusion: Knowledge and skills were generally low in this rural hospital sample with notable performance decrements as patients acutely declined. Educational models that incorporate high fidelity simulation and feedback techniques are likely to have a significant positive impact on performance.
Description:
Objective To assess the ability of rural Australian nurse teams to manage deteriorating patients. Methods This quasi-experimental design used pre- and post-intervention assessments and observation to evaluate nurses' simulated clinical performance. Registered nurses (n=44) from two hospital wards completed a formative knowledge assessment and three team-based video recorded scenarios (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)). Trained patient actors simulated deteriorating patients. Skill performance and situation awareness were measured and team performance was rated using the Team Emergency Assessment Measure. Results Knowledge in relation to patient deterioration management varied (mean 63%, range 27–100%) with a median score of 64%. Younger nurses with a greater number of working hours scored the highest (p=0.001). OSCE performance was generally low with a mean performance of 54%, but performance was maintained despite the increasing complexity of the scenarios. Situation awareness was generally low (median 50%, mean 47%, range 17–83%, SD 14.03) with significantly higher levels in younger participants (r=−0.346, p=0.021). Teamwork ratings averaged 57% with significant associations between the subscales (Leadership, Teamwork and Task Management) (p<0.006), the global rating scale (p<0.001) and two of the OSCE measures (p<0.049). Feedback from participants following the programme indicated significant improvements in knowledge, confidence and competence (p<0.001). Conclusion Despite a satisfactory knowledge base, the application of knowledge was low with notable performance deficits in these demanding and stressful situations. The identification and management of patient deterioration needs to be taught in professional development programmes incorporating high fidelity simulation techniques. The Team Emergency assessment tool proved to be a valid measure of team performance in patient deterioration scenarios.
Description:
Abstract AIM: To examine, in a simulated environment, the ability of final-year nursing students to assess, identify and respond to patients either deteriorating or at risk of deterioration. BACKGROUND: The early identification and management of patient deterioration has a major impact on patient outcomes. 'Failure to rescue' is of international concern, with significant concerns over nurses' ability to detect deterioration, the reasons for which are unknown. DESIGN: Mixed methods incorporating quantitative measures of performance (knowledge, skill and situation awareness) and, to be reported at a later date, a qualitative reflective review of decision processes. METHODS: Fifty-one final-year, final-semester student nurses attended a simulation laboratory. Students completed a knowledge questionnaire and two video-recorded simulated scenarios (mannequin based) to assess skill performance. The scenarios simulated deteriorating patients with hypovolaemic and septic shock. Situation awareness was measured by randomly stopping each scenario and asking a series of questions relating to the situation. RESULTS: The mean knowledge score was 74% (range 46-100%) and the mean skill performance score across both scenarios was 60% (range 30-78%). Skill performance improved significantly (p < 0.01) by the second scenario. However, skill performance declined significantly in both scenarios as the patient's condition deteriorated (hypovolaemia scenario: p = 0.012, septic scenario: p = 0.000). The mean situation awareness score across both scenarios was 59% (range 38-82%). Participants tended to identify physiological indicators of deterioration (77%) but had low comprehension scores (44%). CONCLUSION: Knowledge scores suggest, on average, a satisfactory academic preparation, but this study identified significant deficits in students' ability to manage patient deterioration. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study suggests that student nurses, at the point of qualification, may be inadequately prepared to identify and manage deteriorating patients in the clinical setting.
Description:
Early recognition and management of patient deterioration are essential nursing skills, and can be improved through education and experience. However, both nursing students and registered nurses may have few opportunities to develop and maintain the emergency management skills necessary to ensure patient safety. Using both theory and empirical evidence, we have developed a simulation-based educational model, ‘FIRST2ACT’ (Feedback Incorporating Review and Simulation Techniques to Act on Clinical Trends), to provide nurses with a high-fidelity learning experience. The model has been tested in three different settings: it is highly acceptable to learners, adaptable to different training needs, and shows promise in improving actual clinical performance.
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Interviewing is a key strategy used to elicit data in qualitative research. Whilst many nurse researchers are cognizant of the skills required to conduct a successful research interview, researchers may be less comfortable with the notion of interviewing a participant with whom the researcher claims a pre-existing, or dual relationship; a phenomenon becoming more apparent as the volume of researchers escalates especially in rural settings or smaller, heavily specialized fields. Issues pertaining to this particular situation are analyzed, debated and discussed. Furthermore tactics designed to enhance the research process whilst upholding the well-being of the researcher will be illustrated and elucidated.
Description:
Evidence shows the management of deteriorating patients needs to be improved, particularly in midwifery care. In a series of three simulation-based studies in Australia we examined qualified nurses', student nurses' and midwives' ability to manage patient deterioration. Nurses' knowledge levels were acceptable but their skill performance was low and there was a gap between the theory and practice they had experienced. In these high-pressure situations, demographic factors (including educational level) had no impact on their performance, which suggests they need repetitive "high-stakes" simulation, improved feedback mechanisms and enhanced educational processes.
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Objective: To measure the impact of the Feedback Incorporating Review and Simulation Techniques to Act on Clinical Trends (FIRST2ACT) simulation program on nursing observations and practice relevant to patient deterioration in a rural Australian hospital. Design: Interrupted time series analysis. Setting: A rural Australian hospital. Participants: All registered nurses (Division 1) employed on an acute medical/surgical ward. Intervention: The FIRST2ACT simulation program. Outcome measures: Appropriate frequency of a range of observations and administration of oxygen therapy. Results: Thirty-four nurses participated (83% of eligible nurses) in the FIRST2ACT program, and 258 records were audited before the program and 242 records after. There were statistically significant reductions in less than satisfactory frequency of observations (P = 0.009) and pain score charting (P = 0.003). There was no measurable improvement in the administration of oxygen therapy (P = 0.143), while the incidence of inappropriate nursing practice for other measures both before and after the intervention was too low to warrant analysis. Conclusion: FIRST2ACT was associated with measurable improvements in nursing practice.