Developing a patient-centered ISHAPED handoff with patient/family and parent advisory councils

The Quest for Excellence: A Quality Improvement Project on the Effects of a Standardized PACU/Phase II Bedside Report in a High Turnover Pediatric Ambulatory Surgery Center

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of an evidence-based standardized bedside report within a pediatric ambulatory surgery center on length of handoff time, registered nurse (RN) workflow, and patient and family satisfaction.

DESIGN

Quality improvement project using an evidence-based standardized bedside report intervention with pre- and postimplementation evaluation of process and outcome measures.

METHODS

In January 2019, a unit-based task force evaluated ways to improve current report process and consistency of communication between staff and families. Time from admit into Phase II until nursing handoff was measured pre- and postimplementation. Nursing workflow was measured by time to first RN assessment after admit to Phase II and the postimplementation nursing survey. Patient and family satisfaction were measured pre- and postimplementation from National Research Council Health.

FINDINGS

Postimplementation, average handoff times decreased by 30%; average time from admit to the Phase II unit until the nursing handoff decreased by 28%. From the postimplementation RN survey, 100% RNs: (1) felt standardized bedside report had a positive impact on their workflow, (2) expressed confidence in giving and receiving reports, and (3) reported they had critical information to safely care for patients. Overall patient satisfaction was measured by How likely would you be to recommend this facility to your family and friends; 11.6% improvement over baseline scores was reported. Improved percentages of score improvement from baseline included: nurses explained things (4.42%), nurses listened carefully (4.3%), patient and family received consistent information (2.46%), care providers explained things (2.22%), and patient and family trusted nurses with care (1.74%).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of standardized bedside report resulted in (1) more expeditious times to handoff and first RN assessment, (2) overall positive impact on nursing workflow, and (3) improvements in patient and family satisfaction.

Development of patient-centred care in acute hospital settings: A meta-narrative review

BACKGROUND

Patient-centred care is widely recognised as a core aspect of quality health care and has been integrated into policy internationally. There remains a disconnect between policy and practice, with organisations and researchers continuing to offer definitions and frameworks to suit the operational context. It is unclear if and how patient-centred care has been adopted in the acute care context.

AIM

To understand the development of patient-centred care in the context of acute hospital settings over the past decade.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted in accordance with RAMESES standards and principles for meta-narrative reviews. Five databases (Medline, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, JBI) were searched for full-text articles published between 2012 and 2021 related to patient-centred care in the acute care setting, in the context of nursing, medicine and health policy. Literature reviews and discussion papers were excluded. Articles were selected based on their relevance to the research aim. Descriptive and thematic analysis and synthesis of data were undertaken via an interpretivist process to understand the development of the topic.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty four articles were included that reported observational studies (n = 78), interventions (n = 34), tool development (n = 7), expert consensus (n = 2), quality improvement (n = 2), and reflection (n = 1). Most studies were conducted in developed countries and reported the perspective of patients (n = 33), nurses (n = 29), healthcare organisations (n = 7) or multiple perspectives (n = 50). Key words, key authors and organisations for patient-centred care were commonly recognised and provided a basis for the research. Fifty instruments measuring patient-centred care or its aspects were identified. Of the 34 interventions, most were implemented at the micro (clinical) level (n = 25) and appeared to improve care (n = 30). Four articles did not report outcomes. Analysis of the interventions identified three main types: i) staff-related, ii) patient and family-related, and iii) environment-related. Analysis of key findings identified five meta-narratives: i) facilitators of patient-centred care, ii) threats to patient-centred care, iii) outcomes of patient-centred care, iv) elements of patient-centred care, and v) expanding our understanding of patient-centred care.

CONCLUSIONS

Interest in patient centred care continues to grow, with reports shifting from conceptualising to operationalising patient-centred care. Interventions have been successfully implemented in acute care settings at the micro level, further research is needed to determine their sustainability and macro level implementation. Health services should consider staff, patient and organisational factors that can facilitate or threaten patient-centred care when planning interventions.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Patient-centred care in acute care settings - we have arrived! Is it sustainable?

Cultural care needs of Spanish speaking parents with limited English proficiency whose children are hospitalized: An ethnonursing study

PURPOSE

Parents' inability to speak English proficiently is associated with communication barriers in the care process of their children, social determinants of health, and poor child health outcomes. Research exploring perspectives of Spanish speaking parents with limited English proficiency (SSP-LEP) whose children are hospitalized in the context of culture is lacking in the literature. The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural experiences, values, and beliefs of SSP-LEP, of Mexican origin, whose children were hospitalized and to understand nurses' roles in providing culturally congruent care.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Leininger's qualitative, ethnonursing method was used for this study. The Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality provided a guiding framework. Eleven SSP-LEP, of Mexican origin, participated in interviews conducted in-person and via Zoom. Data was analyzed using Leininger's four phases of qualitative analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged: 1. role of the mother as an ever-present manager of care for the hospitalized child and family, 2. parents' difficult, fearful, stressful, and unknowing experiences in the presence of a language barrier, and 3. expected nursing care that was kind, respectful, compassionate, and attentive.

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of knowledge creates hardships for parents who desire to be involved, informed caregivers. Communication in Spanish language is integral to parents' understanding and expected nursing care. SSP-LEP may have negative feelings; yet describe a positive care experience.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Culturally congruent care should incorporate language services for information sharing that facilitates parent participation and decision-making; be kind, respectful, compassionate, and attentive; and promote maternal role maintenance.

Development and psychometric testing of the patient participation in bedside handover survey

Introduction

When handover is conducted at the patient's bedside, active patient participation can be encouraged, which may improve the safety and quality of care. There is a need for valid and reliable tools to measure patient perceptions of participation in bedside handover, to ensure the rising number of implementation and improvement efforts are consistently and effectively evaluated. The aim of this study is to systematically develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a self‐report survey to measure patients' perceptions of participation in bedside handover.

Methods

In Phase 1, our team developed a conceptual framework and item pool (n = 130). In Phase 2, content validity was assessed with four health consumers, four nurses and four researchers. Next, 10 current hospital inpatients tested the survey for end‐user satisfaction. In Phase 3, 326 inpatients completed the survey, allowing exploratory factor analysis, reliability analyses and convergent/divergent validity analyses to occur.

Results

Phase 1 and 2 resulted in a 42‐item survey. In Phase 3, 321 surveys were available for analysis. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three‐factor solution, with 24 items, which matched our conceptual framework. The three factors were: ‘Conditions for patient participation in bedside handover’, ‘Level of patient participation in bedside handover’ and ‘Evaluation of patient participation in bedside handover’. There was strong evidence for factor reliability and validity. Additionally, the correlation between factors was strong.

Conclusion

This study furthers our conceptual understanding by showing that nurse facilitating behaviours are a strong precursor for patient participation and perceived handover outcomes, justifying the need for nursing training. A robust survey has been developed to measure patient perceptions of participation in bedside handover, which can effectively evaluate this approach to care. Engaging consumers and nurses as research team members was invaluable in ensuring that the survey is acceptable for end‐users.

Patient or Public Contribution

A health consumer and nurse partnered as members of the research team from study inception to dissemination.

Barriers to and Facilitators of Bedside Nursing Handover: A Systematic Review and Meta-synthesis

BACKGROUND

Bedside nursing handover (BNH) has been recognized as a contributor to patient-centered care. However, concerns about its effectiveness suggest that contextual factors should be considered before and after BNH implementation.

PURPOSE

This review aimed to identify, evaluate, and synthetize the qualitative literature on the barriers to and facilitators of BNH as experienced by nurses and patients.

METHODS

The Joanna Briggs Institute meta-aggregation method was applied. A systematic search was performed to identify qualitative studies published from inception to June 30, 2020. Two independent researchers assessed methodological quality and extracted data.

RESULTS

Twenty-four articles were included, comprising 161 findings, and 5 synthesized findings emerged with a moderate level of confidence.

CONCLUSIONS

BNH ensures patient safety and increases satisfaction and recognition among patients and nurses. This evidence on the barriers to and facilitators of BNH could help health care providers who have implemented or plan to implement this practice.

Ascertaining Design Requirements for Postoperative Care Transition Interventions

BACKGROUND

Handoffs or care transitions from the operating room (OR) to intensive care unit (ICU) are fragmented and vulnerable to communication errors. Although protocols and checklists for standardization help reduce errors, such interventions suffer from limited sustainability. An unexplored aspect is the potential role of developing personalized postoperative transition interventions using artificial intelligence (AI)-generated risks.

OBJECTIVES

This study was aimed to (1) identify factors affecting sustainability of handoff standardization, (2) utilize a human-centered approach to develop design ideas and prototyping requirements for a sustainable handoff intervention, and (3) explore the potential role for AI risk assessment during handoffs.

METHODS

We conducted four design workshops with 24 participants representing OR and ICU teams at a large medical academic center. Data collection phases were (1) open-ended questions, (2) closed card sorting of handoff information elements, and (3) scenario-based design ideation and prototyping for a handoff intervention. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Card sorts were further tallied to characterize handoff information elements as core, flexible, or unnecessary.

RESULTS

Limited protocol awareness among clinicians and lack of an interdisciplinary electronic health record (EHR)-integrated handoff intervention prevented long-term sustainability of handoff standardization. Clinicians argued for a handoff intervention comprised of core elements (included for all patients) and flexible elements (tailored by patient condition and risks). They also identified unnecessary elements that could be omitted during handoffs. Similarities and differences in handoff intervention requirements among physicians and nurses were noted; in particular, clinicians expressed divergent views on the role of AI-generated postoperative risks.

CONCLUSION

Current postoperative handoff interventions focus largely on standardization of information transfer and handoff processes. Our design approach allowed us to visualize accurate models of user expectations for effective interdisciplinary communication. Insights from this study point toward EHR-integrated, "flexibly standardized" care transition interventions that can automatically generate a patient-centered summary and risk-based report.

Engaging patients and families in communication across transitions of care: An integrative review

OBJECTIVE

To determine the current evidence about patient and family engagement in communication with health professionals during transitions of care to, within and from acute care settings.

METHODS

An integrative review using seven international databases was conducted for 2003-2017. Forty eligible studies were analysed and synthesised using framework synthesis.

RESULTS

Four themes: 1) Partnering in care: patients and families should be partners in decision-making and care; 2) Augmenting communication during transitions: intrinsic and extrinsic factors supported transition communication between patients, families and health professionals; 3) Impeding information exchange: the difficulties faced by patients and families taking an active role in transition; and 4) Outcomes of communication during transitions: reported experiences for patients, families and health professionals.

CONCLUSION

While attitudes towards engaging patients and family in transition communication in acute settings are generally positive, current practices are variable. Structural supports for practice are not always present.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Organisational strategies to improve communication must incorporate an understanding of patient needs. A structured approach which considers timing, privacy, location and appropriateness for patients and families is needed. Communication training is required for patients, families and health professionals. Health professionals must respect a patient's right to be informed by regularly communicating.

Implementation of the m-ISHAPED Tool for Nursing Interdepartmental Handoffs

BACKGROUND

Handoffs can pose risks to patients.

LOCAL PROBLEM

Nurses throughout a children's hospital understood patient handoffs differently, resulting in handoff errors (failures) across departments.

METHODS

Lean principles were used to modify and implement the ISHAPED (Introduction, Story, History, Assessment, Plan, Error Prevention, and Dialogue) tool.

INTERVENTIONS

The team implemented a modified ISHAPED (m-ISHAPED) tool to align the content shared and the expectations for interdepartmental handoff.

RESULTS

Improvements were seen in reported patient safety events from 6.84 to 1.57 per 100 patient days (P < .001) and nurse satisfaction from 81.1% to 90.6% (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

A standardized process for interdepartmental nursing handoff was successfully implemented.

Reprint of: Patient participation in nursing bedside handover: A systematic mixed-methods review

BACKGROUND

Numerous reviews of nursing handover have been undertaken, but none have focused on the patient's role.

OBJECTIVES

To explore how patient participation in nursing shift-to-shift bedside handover can be enacted.

DESIGN

Systematic mixed- methods review.

DATA SOURCES

Three search strategies were undertaken in July-August 2016: database searching, backwards citation searching and forward citation searching. To be included, papers had to either be research or quality improvement (QI) projects focusing on the patient role. Fifty-four articles were retrieved, including 21 studies and 25 QI projects.

REVIEW METHODS

Screening, data extraction and quality appraisal was undertaken systematically by two reviewers. Research studies and QI projects were synthesised separately using thematic synthesis, then the results of this synthesis were combined using a mixed-method synthesis table.

RESULTS

Segregated synthesis of research of patients' perceptions revealed two contrasting categories; patient-centred handover and nurse-centred handover. Segregated synthesis of research of nurses' perceptions included three categories: viewing the patient as an information resource; dealing with confidential and sensitive information; and enabling patient participation. The segregated synthesis of QI projects included two categories: nurse barriers to enacting patient participation in bedside handover; and involving patients in beside handover. Once segregated findings were configured, we discovered that the patient's role in bedside handover involves contributing clinical information related to their care or progress, which may influence patient safety. Barriers related to nurses' discomfort encouraging patient participation and worries for sharing confidential and sensitive information. The way nurses approach patients, and how patient-centred they are, constitute further potential barriers. Strategies to improve patient participation in handover include training nurses, making handovers predictable for patients and increasing the interpersonal approach during handover.

CONCLUSIONS

Using research and QI projects allowed diverse findings to expand each other and identify gaps between research and heuristic knowledge. Our review showed the tension between standardising handovers and making them predictable for patient participation, while promoting tailored and flexible handovers. Further investigation of this issue is required, to understand how to train nurses to achieve this and prepare patients to do this. Many barriers and strategies identified were from QI projects and the nurse perspective, thus caution interpreting results is required. We recommend steps be taken in the future to ensure high quality QI projects.

Patient and caregiver experiences on care transitions for adults with a hip fracture: a scoping review

Purpose: The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the literature on experiences and perspectives of patients with hip fractures and their caregivers during transitions in care.Methods: Seven databases were searched for studies published between 1 January 2000 and 3 July 2018. Grey literature was also searched.Results: Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria. The scoping review found that patients and caregivers encounter several challenges during care transitions including the following: lack of information sharing, role confusion and disorganized discharge planning. Common suggestions reported in the literature for improving care transitions were: increasing written communication, offering a patient representative role, using technology for knowledge dissemination and increasing geriatrician involvement.Conclusions: The results of this scoping review provide a useful foundation from which to build strategies to address challenges such as lack of information sharing, role confusion and disorganized discharge planning experienced by patients and caregivers during care transitions. Further research needs to explore the development of strategies to promote patient-centered care especially during discharge from an acute care facility.Implications for rehabilitationEncourage health care providers to collaborate with patients with hip fracture and caregivers on decision-making about rehabilitation and recovery goals, discharge planning and safe patient transfer.Assess the needs of patients with hip fracture and caregivers before, during and after a care transition to deliver patient and family-centered care across multiple care settings.Provide patients with hip fracture and caregivers standardized information-exchange tools to increase timely, accurate exchange of information during care transitions.Encourage formal discussions about roles and responsibilities in the transitions in care process among patients with hip fracture, caregivers and health care providers.

On the Same Page: Nurse, Patient, and Family Perceptions of Change-of-shift Bedside Report

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore nurse, patient, and family perceptions about change-of-shift bedside report in the pediatric setting and to describe specific safety concerns that were identified during change-of-shift handoff.

DESIGN AND METHODS

An exploratory-descriptive qualitative study designed to elicit nurse, patient, and family experience with change-of-shift bedside report was utilized for this study. Interviews were conducted and reviewed to identify common themes.

RESULTS

Data analysis revealed the emergence of the following themes: perceived barriers, patient safety, and impact on patient care. Study participants found that bedside report promotes patient safety and is the preferred form of change-of-shift handoff communication. Additionally, participants stated there is increased accountability and increased transparency as everyone involved in bedside report is "on the same page."

CONCLUSION

The study results are consistent with current literature suggesting that bedside report contributes to effective communication and increases patient safety.

Incorporating Nurse Input and Evidence Into a Newly Designed Unit to Improve Patient and Nursing Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify processes, outcomes, and lessons learned from designing a new evidence-based unit. A research study was conducted simultaneously to rigorously measure changes in patient and staff outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Nursing leadership and frontline nursing engagement are critical in evidence-based design to promote positive outcomes and workflow.

METHODS

Quality indicators were tracked premove and postmove. Nursing workflow was tracked, and teamwork was examined.

RESULTS

The incidence of falls and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus decreased on the new unit. Patient satisfaction improved; the greatest improvement was noise reduction. Teamwork remained stable. Nurses spent significantly more time in the patient rooms on the new unit.

CONCLUSIONS

This hospital found nursing engagement in the unit design process to be imperative to promote positive patient outcomes and stable or improved teamwork. Nursing leaders should be involved at the onset of the design process to facilitate optimal outcomes.

Patient participation in nursing bedside handover: A systematic mixed-methods review

BACKGROUND

Numerous reviews of nursing handover have been undertaken, but none have focused on the patients' role.

OBJECTIVES

To explore how patient participation in nursing shift-to-shift bedside handover can be enacted.

DESIGN

Systematic mixed- methods review.

DATA SOURCES

Three search strategies were undertaken in July-August 2016: database searching, backwards citation searching and forward citation searching. To be included, papers had to either be research or quality improvement (QI) projects focusing on the patient role. Fifty-four articles were retrieved, including 21 studies and 25 QI projects.

REVIEW METHODS

Screening, data extraction and quality appraisal was undertaken systematically by two reviewers. Research studies and QI projects were synthesised separately using thematic synthesis, then the results of this synthesis were combined using a mixed-method synthesis table.

RESULTS

Segregated synthesis of research of patients' perceptions revealed two contrasting categories; patient-centred handover and nurse-centred handover. Segregated synthesis of research of nurses' perceptions included three categories: viewing the patient as an information resource; dealing with confidential and sensitive information; and enabling patient participation. The segregated synthesis of QI projects included two categories: nurse barrier to enacting patient participation in bedside handover; and involving patients in beside handover. Once segregated findings were configured, we discovered that the patient's role in bedside handover involves contributing clinical information related to their care or progress, which may influence patient safety. Barriers related to nurses' concerns for the consequences of encouraging patient participation, worries for sharing confidential and sensitive information and feeling hesitant in changing their handover methods. The way nurses approach patients, and how patient-centred they are, constitute further potential barriers. Strategies to improve patient participation in handover include training nurses, making handovers predictable for patients and involving both patients and nurses throughout the change process.

CONCLUSIONS

Using research and QI projects allowed diverse findings to expand each other and identify gaps between research and heuristic knowledge. Our review showed the tension between standardising handovers and making them predictable for patient participation, while promoting tailored and flexible handovers. Further investigation of this issue is required, to understand how to train nurses and patient views. Many barriers and strategies identified were from QI projects and the nurse perspective, thus caution interpreting results is required. We recommend steps be taken in the future to ensure high quality QI projects.

Standardizing Handoff Communication: Content Analysis of 27 Handoff Mnemonics

This study synthesizes information contained in 27 mnemonics to identify what information should be communicated during a handoff. Clustering and content analysis resulted in 12 primary information clusters that should be communicated. Given the large amount of information identified, it would be beneficial to use a structured handoff communication tool developed using a participatory approach. In addition, we recommend local standardization of information communicated during handoffs with variation across settings.

Reducing Patient Clinical Management Errors Using Structured Content and Electronic Nursing Handover

We examined whether an integrated nursing handover system-structured content and an electronic tool within the patient clinical information system with bedside delivery-would improve the quality of information delivered at nursing handover and reduce adverse patient outcomes. Using a pre/posttest evaluative design, improvements in the transfer of critical patient information and reductions in nursing clinical management incidents were demonstrated. No changes in falls or medication incident rates were identified.

Ensuring Safe Transfer of Pediatric Patients: A Quality Improvement Project to Standardize Handoff Communication

BACKGROUND

During a single hospital stay, a patient's care is transferred several times between health care clinicians requiring multiple handoffs. Nurses often voice concerns about feeling unsafe when receiving patients from other areas.

AIMS

The aims of the intradepartmental quality improvement project were to identify the safest way to transfer care of pediatric patients and to improve bedside nurses' knowledge on conducting an evidence based practice project.

METHODS

Guided by clinical nurse specialists, nurses from various departments worked together and reviewed the literature regarding safe transfers, timing, and handoff communication.

RESULTS

Findings from this quality improvement project led to creation and implementation of a system wide handoff tool. Use of the handoff tool decreased medication errors and improved nursing satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Partnering with bedside nursing staff to research and apply system wide quality improvements can increase knowledge and understanding of evidence based practice as well as quality of patient care.

Patients' perceptions of bedside handoff: the need for a culture of always

Current literature on patients' perceptions of bedside handoff describes studies using qualitative, anecdotal, and/or indirect measurement. This study identifies patients' perceptions of the bedside handoff through direct and quantitative measurement. The statistically significant findings from a survey of 103 medical surgical adult patients demonstrate that registered nurse bedside handoff has a positive effect on patient perceptions of safety, understanding, and satisfaction. Bedside end-of-shift handoff is most effective when it is performed consistently.

Physician and Nurse Nighttime Communication and Parents' Hospital Experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Night teams of hospital providers have become more common in the wake of resident physician duty hour changes. We sought to examine relationships between nighttime communication and parents' inpatient experience.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of parents (n = 471) of pediatric inpatients (0-17 years) from May 2013 to October 2014. Parents rated their overall experience, understanding of the medical plan, quality of nighttime doctors' and nurses' communication with them, and quality of nighttime communication between doctors and nurses. We tested the reliability of each of these 5 constructs (Cronbach's α for each >.8). Using logistic regression models, we examined rates and predictors of top-rated hospital experience.

RESULTS

Parents completed 398 surveys (84.5% response rate). A total of 42.5% of parents reported a top overall experience construct score. On multivariable analysis, top-rated overall experience scores were associated with higher scores for communication and experience with nighttime doctors (odds ratio [OR] 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-3.08), for communication and experience with nighttime nurses (OR 6.47; 95% CI, 2.88-14.54), and for nighttime doctor-nurse interaction (OR 2.66; 95% CI, 1.26-5.64) (P < .05 for each). Parents provided the highest percentage of top ratings for the individual item pertaining to whether nurses listened to their concerns (70.5% strongly agreed) and the lowest such ratings for regular communication with nighttime doctors (31.4% excellent).

CONCLUSIONS

Parent communication with nighttime providers and parents' perceptions of communication and teamwork between these providers may be important drivers of parent experience. As hospitals seek to improve the patient-centeredness of care, improving nighttime communication and teamwork will be valuable to explore.

Nursing clinical handover in neonatal care

BACKGROUND

Clinical handover ensures continuity of care, providing the opportunity to transfer responsibility and accountability for the care of a patient from nurse to nurse.

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine afternoon nursing clinical handover from the perspective of nurses, exploring the quality of information, the interactions and support, the efficiency and the involvement of parents in a private neonatal unit.

METHODS/DESIGN

An exploratory, descriptive, prospective quantitative survey with qualitative elements was undertaken using The Handover Evaluation Scale (O'Connell, MacDonald, & Kelly, 2008). All nurses working in the Neonatal unit who attend afternoon handover, were invited to participate in the study (N = 22), with N = 16 responses received.

RESULTS/FINDINGS

The quantitative and qualitative results indicate that the quality of the information handed over in neonatal care units can be maintained despite intrinsic limitations. Additionally, high levels of support and interaction between nursing staff in this stressful practice environment occur during the handover period.

CONCLUSION

Given the vulnerability of neonates it is important that accurate information is efficiently handed over. In order to do this distractions should be minimised. Finally, parental involvement in handover should be actively encouraged whenever feasible.