Patients' perceptions of the meaning of good care in surgical care: a grounded theory study

Dimensions of patient-centred care from the perspective of patients and healthcare workers in hospital settings in sub-Saharan Africa: A qualitative evidence synthesis

INTRODUCTION

The United States Institute of Medicine defines patient centred care (PCC), a core element of healthcare quality, as care that is holistic and responsive to individual needs. PCC is associated with better patient satisfaction and improved clinical outcomes. Current conceptualizations of PCC are mainly from Europe and North America. This systematic review summarises the perceived dimensions of PCC among patients and healthcare workers within hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

METHODS

Without date restrictions, searches were done on databases of the Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Global Health, and grey literature, from their inception up to 11th August 2022. Only qualitative studies exploring dimensions or perceptions of PCC among patients, doctors and/or nurses in hospitals in (SSA) were included. Review articles and editorials were excluded. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and conducted full-text reviews with conflicts resolved by a third reviewer. The CASP (critical appraisal skills program) checklist was utilised to assess the quality of included studies. The framework synthesis method was employed for data synthesis.

RESULTS

5507 articles were retrieved. Thirty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 17 were in the specialty of obstetrics, while the rest were spread across different fields. The perceived dimensions reported in the studies included privacy and confidentiality, communication, shared decision making, dignity and respect, continuity of care, access to care, adequate infrastructure and empowerment. Separate analysis of patients' and providers' perspective revealed a difference in the practical understanding of shared-decision making. These dimensions were summarised into a framework consisting of patient-as-person, access to care, and integrated care.

CONCLUSION

The conceptualization of PCC within SSA was largely similar to findings from other parts of the world, although with a stronger emphasis on access to care. In SSA, both relational and structural aspects of care were significant elements of PCC. Healthcare providers mostly perceived structural aspects such as infrastructure as key dimensions of PCC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO Registration number CRD42021238411.

Perception of feeling safe perioperatively: a concept analysis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of feeling safe, from the patient perspective, in a perioperative context.

METHOD

The eight-step concept analysis approach proposed by Walker and Avant was utilized to examine the attributes of feeling safe. Uses of the concept, defining attributes as well as antecedents, consequences and empirical referents are presented to describe the concept. Case examples are provided in order to assist the understanding of the defining attributes.

RESULTS

Feeling safe is defined as: a person that does not feel worried or threatened. Three attributes were identified: Participation, Control and Presence. Knowledge and Relationship are the antecedents of feeling safe, while Feeling Acknowledged and Trust are the consequences. Empirical referents are explored in order to find a way to measuring the perceived feeling of safety.

CONCLUSION

This concept analysis underscores the importance of including patients' perceptions in traditional patient safety work. Patients who feel safe perceive that they participate in their care, that they are in control, and that they feel the presence of both healthcare staff and relatives. The perceived feeling of security could, by extension, promote the postoperative recovery of patients undergoing surgery by positively affect the process of recovery.

Increasing a patient's sense of security in the hospital: A theory of trust and nursing action

Having a decreased sense of security leads to unnecessary suffering and distress for patients. Establishing trust is critical for nurses to promote a patient's sense of security, consistent with trauma-informed care. Research regarding nursing action, trust, and sense of security is wide-ranging but fragmented. We used theory synthesis to organize the disparate existing knowledge into a testable middle-range theory encompassing these concepts in hospitals. The resulting model illustrates how individuals are admitted to the hospital with some predisposition to trust or mistrust the healthcare system and/or personnel. Patients encounter circumstances increasing their emotional and/or physical vulnerability to harm, leading to experiences of fear and anxiety. Without intervention, fear and anxiety lead to a decreased sense of security, increased distress, and suffering. Nurse action can ameliorate these effects by increasing a hospitalized person's sense of security or by promoting the development of interpersonal trust, also leading to an increased sense of security. Increased sense of security results in diminished anxiety and fear, and increased hopefulness, confidence, calm, sense of value, and sense of control. The consequences of a decreased sense of security are harmful to patients and nurses should know that they can intervene in ways that both increase interpersonal trust and sense of security.

Influencing Factors of Nurses' Practice during the Bedside Handover: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol

Nursing Bedside Handover (NBH) is acknowledged as a nursing practice implemented at the patient's bedside to improve communication safety during the shift change, but it is vulnerable due to inconsistent application among nurses. This synthesis of qualitative evidence aims to review and synthesize the perceptions and experiences of nurses regarding the factors that, in their perspective, influence NBH practice. We will follow the thematic synthesis methodology of Thomas and Harden and the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) Statement guidelines. A search will be conducted through the databases of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus, and we will follow the three-step search process to identify primary studies with qualitative or mixed-method research designs and projects of quality improvement. The screening and selection of the studies will be carried out by two independent reviewers. We will use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) to report the screening, search, and selection of studies. To assess its methodological quality, two reviewers will independently use the CASM Tool. The extracted data will be reviewed, categorized, and summarized in tabular and narrative formats. The findings obtained will allow us to inform future research and change management led by nurse managers.

Patient-reported participation in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery cancer care: A pilot intervention study with patient-owned fast-track protocols

Objective

Fast‐track concepts have been implemented in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery cancer care to improve postoperative recovery. For optimal postoperative care, patient participation is also required. The aim was to investigate and analyse whether an intervention with patient‐owned fast‐track protocols (PFTPs) may lead to increased patient participation and improve information for patients who underwent surgery for hepatopancreatobiliary cancer.

Methods

A quantitative comparative design with a control and intervention group was used. The participants in the intervention group followed a PFTP during their admission. After discharge, the patients answered a questionnaire regarding patient participation. Data analyses were performed with descriptive statistics and ANCOVA.

Results

The results are based on a total of 222 completed questionnaires: 116 in the control group and 106 in the intervention group. It is uncertain whether the PFTP increased patient participation and information, but its use may indicate an improvement for the patient group.

Conclusion

A successful implementation strategy for the use of PFTP, with daily reconciliations, could be part of the work required to improve overall satisfaction with patient participation.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04061902

The effectiveness of preoperative education interventions on improving perioperative outcomes of adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cardiac surgeries pose as an emotional experience for patients. Preoperative education is known to positively alter people's perceptions, emotions, and mitigate surgical distress. However, this intervention's effectiveness in improving perioperative outcomes among patients undergoing cardiac surgery lacked rigorous statistical synthesis and remains inconclusive.

AIMS

The aim was to synthesize the effectiveness of preoperative education on improving perioperative outcomes [anxiety, depression, knowledge, pain intensity, pain interference with daily activities, postoperative complications, length of hospitalization, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, satisfaction with the intervention and care, and health-related quality of life] among patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis conducted a comprehensive search of nine electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ERIC) and grey literature for randomized controlled trials examining the preoperative educational interventional effects on patients undergoing cardiac surgery from inception to 31 December 2020. The studies' quality was evaluated using Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool 1 (RoB1). Meta-analyses via RevMan 5.4 software synthesized interventional effects.

RESULTS

Twenty-two trials involving 3167 participants were included. Preoperative education had large significant effects on reducing post-intervention preoperative anxiety (P = 0.02), length of ICU stay (P = 0.02), and improving knowledge (P < 0.00001), but small significant effect sizes on lowering postoperative anxiety (P < 0.0001), depression (P = 0.03), and enhancing satisfaction (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

This review indicates the feasibility of preoperative education in clinical use to enhance health outcomes of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Future studies need to explore knowledge outcomes in-depth and more innovative technologies in preoperative education delivery.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Feeling Safe During Surgery Scale

AIM

The aim of this study is to develop and psychometrically test the Feeling Safe During Surgery Scale.

DESIGN

The study design was non-experimental and cross-sectional.

METHOD

The evaluation followed classical test theory, and the instrument was evaluated regarding reliability, construct validity and content validity. For the reliability analysis, a postal questionnaire consisting of the 16 items of the scale was dispatched in March 2020 to a consecutive sample (N = 242) of patients who had undergone hip or knee replacement arthroplasties with regional anaesthesia. Five experts in nursing care evaluated the content validity of the scale.

RESULT

Internal consistency was 0.841. Three items were excluded due to deficits in reliability, resulting in a 13-item scale. A principal component analysis revealed a two-dimensional solution, labelled internal and external aspects of feeling safe. Two items were rephrased to improve clarity and content validity. The average content validity for the scale was 0.88, indicating acceptable content validity.

Influence of nurse-patient relationship on hospital attendance. A qualitative study of patients in the Kwahu Government Hospital, Ghana

Background

The relationship of nurses and patients in healthcare settings has been central in ensuring good and efficient healthcare delivery. The total hospital attendance in the Kwahu Government Hospital have reduced in recent years. The study explored patients’ perceptions of the nurse-patient relationship and its influence on hospital attendance at the Kwahu Government Hospital.

Methods

A phenomenological qualitative study design, with a purposive sampling technique, was used to interview ten participants from the various wards in the hospital on their perceptions of the nurse patient relationship and its influence on hospital attendance. The data were transcribed and analysed using a thematic content analysis approach that embraces three interrelated stages, namely data reduction, data display, and data conclusion drawing.

Results

Many of the participants had positive perceptions regarding the attitude of nurses, and that influenced hospital attendance while others opined that nurses’ attitudes towards them made them attend a private facility. Almost all the participants suggested that patients should exhibit an equally good attitude and behaviour towards nurses, and better communication between patients and nurses as vital ways of improving the nurse-patient relationship. Nurses in the Kwahu Government Hospital are described as friendly, respectful and attend promptly to patient health care needs adequately. The range of perceived respect differed from patient to patient and include the nurse called patient by name, respond promptly to patient needs, helped “helpless patients” to feed and also assisted them change diapers, listen to patient concerns, linked patient to other professionals, work within the cultural context of hierarchy and that the nurse is sociable and interacted with patient positively.

Conclusion

Hospital management should conduct regular evaluations of patients' experiences as well as nurses’ experiences to address deficiencies in communication and nurse-patient interactions.

A randomized clinical trial of a new perioperative practice model on anxiety and health-related quality of life in arthroplasty patients

Aims

To explore the effectiveness of a new perioperative practice model on anxiety and health‐related quality of life in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty under spinal anaesthesia.

Design

A randomized clinical trial.

Methods

Control group participants (N = 222) received standard perioperative care, meaning they were cared for by various nurses during their perioperative process without postoperative visits. Intervention group participants (N = 231) were assigned one named anaesthesia nurse during their entire perioperative process who visited them postoperatively. Both groups responded to two self‐reported questionnaires: the generic 15D health‐related quality of life instrument and the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) measuring anxiety two to three weeks pre‐operatively and three months postoperatively.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences between the groups at baseline or at follow‐up in health‐related quality of life or anxiety.

Creating Microclimates of Change: Transparency in Disseminating Nursing Quality Performance Data

OBJECTIVES

Study objectives were to: 1) explore how nursing care quality data (NCQD) was understood and interpreted; and 2) identify, compare, and contrast individual and group responses.

BACKGROUND

Little evidence exists on how to best disseminate NCQD information. This study explores the outcomes of implementing an NCQD and human-interest information slide show across an inpatient surgery nursing service line using electronic screens.

METHODS

Methods included semistructured interviews, qualitative analysis, and diagramming.

RESULTS

The human-interest content most often attracted viewers' attention, but they were also exposed to NCQD. Interpretations and understandings differed among groups and between individuals. Among staff members, the human-interest content facilitated team-building, whereas NCQD provided meaningful recognition. Nursing care quality data evidenced the efforts that were being made to improve and provide excellent patient care.

CONCLUSIONS

Using innovative dissemination methods can enhance understanding of NCQD among clinical providers. Creating microclimates of change and innovation within complex healthcare environments can benefit staff members and patients.

Assessing and reporting patient participation by means of patient preferences and experiences

BACKGROUND

Although patient participation is strongly associated with high quality of healthcare, valid means to measure and report a comprehensive notion of patient participation are scarce. The Patient Preferences for Patient Participation (4Ps) is a new healthcare practice and research tool, comprising patients' preferences as well as experiences. The 4Ps employs 12 items for the patient to conceptualise patient participation. The aim of this paper is to describe how the two perspectives of patient participation, namely preferences and experiences, can be combined to visualise and report preference-based patient participation.

METHODS

With four response alternatives in each section, the 4Ps offers sixteen possible combinations of degree of match per item. Theoretical and clinical principles fostered a tentative order of six ranks and three levels of preference-based patient participation. To test the standard, statistical analyses for ordinal data were performed, using data from a randomised controlled trial evaluating an intervention aiming to improve patient participation. Further, structures for visualising the preference-based patient participation of individuals and groups were suggested.

RESULTS

Data from the 4Ps demonstrated the individuals' preference-based patient participation, indicating either a match or a mismatch for each item. Mismatches represented either the experience of participation surpassing the patient's preferences, or the patient's preferences for patient participation not being established. At group level, the suggested approach for visualising and reporting the 4Ps demonstrated that the intervention group had a significantly higher proportion of sufficient preference-based patient participation for certain items than the control group. These results had not been identified earlier, when using the preferences and experiences of patient participation as separate measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Ways to easily acquaint stakeholders with patients' preferences for patient participation are needed, in order for healthcare staff to better use resources to match the basic requirements of individuals and groups. While the 4Ps can guide professionals to patient participation as framed in legislations, concept analyses and by patients, a visualisation of the results is needed to capture preference-based patient participation. The proposed route to representing degree of match in preferences and experiences may also be relevant to other dimensions of quality of healthcare.

A Multidimensional Approach of Surgical Mortality Assessment and Stratification (Smatt Score)

Surgical mortality is the most significant measure of outcome in surgical healthcare. The objective was to assess surgical 30 days mortality and improve the identification of predictors for personalized risk stratification of patients undergoing elective and emergency surgery. The study was conducted as a single-center cohort retrospective observational study, based on the analysis of data collected from patients surgically treated from 2002 to 2014 in a multi-disciplinary research and care referral hospital with global case mix of 1.27. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 1.89% (95% CI 1.82–1.95). In the univariable analysis, numerous predictors were significantly associated with in-hospital death following surgery. In the multivariable model, age, BMI (Body Mass Index), ASA score, department, planned surgical complexity, surgical priority, previous surgeries in the same hospitalization, cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepato-renal comorbidities, drug intolerance, cancer and AIDS were independently associated with mortality after surgery. At logistic regression, the computed SMATT score (graded 0–100), generated on the basis of multivariate analysis, demonstrated a good discrimination (10-fold cross-validated AUC-ROC 0.945, 95%CI 0.941–0.948) and correctly classified 98.5% of those admissions with a probability of death >50%. The novel SMATT score, based on individual preoperative and surgical factors, accurately predicts mortality and provides dynamic information of the risk in redo/reoperative surgery.

Measuring Quality of Care: A Rasch Validity Analysis of the Good Nursing Care Scale

BACKGROUND

Patient-centeredness is emphasized in both health policies and practice, calling for reliable instruments for the evaluation of the quality of nursing care.

PURPOSE

The purpose was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Good Nursing Care Scale (GNCS) in a sample of surgical patients and nurses.

METHODS

An explorative cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected with the 40-item GNCS from surgical patients (n = 476) and nurses (n = 167) in Finland. The data were analyzed with Rasch analysis.

RESULTS

The GNCS provided evidence of unidimensionality with acceptable goodness-of-fit to the Rasch model in both samples. Person-separation validity was acceptable. Person misfit was reasonable. The Rasch-equivalent Cronbach α was 0.81 (patient data) and 0.88 (nurse data).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings support that the GNCS is a psychometrically sound instrument that can be used in measuring the quality of nursing care, from the perspective of both patients and nurses.

Perceived quality of nursing care and patient education: a cross-sectional study of hospitalised surgical patients in Finland

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to analyse the relationship between patient education and the quality of surgical nursing care as perceived by patients. The background of the study lies in the importance of a patient-centred approach for both patient education and quality evaluation.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional descriptive correlational study with surgical patients.

SETTING

Data were collected in 2013 in one hospital district in Finland.

PARTICIPANTS

480 hospitalised surgical patients.

METHODS

The data were collected using two structured instruments: one measuring the perceived quality of nursing care experienced by patients (Good Nursing Care Scale) and one measuring the received knowledge of hospital patients (RKhp). Data were analysed statistically using descriptive and inferential statistics to describe the sample and study variables. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to analyse the association between the scales.

RESULTS

Surgical hospital patients evaluated the level of the quality of nursing care as high; this was especially true with reference to the environment and staff characteristics, but not to collaboration with family members. Most (85%) of the patients had received sufficient knowledge preoperatively and they were familiar with the proceeding of their care and treatment after discharge; in particular, they had received bio-physiological knowledge, consisting of knowledge of the disease, symptoms and the physiological elements of care. The positive correlation between the perceived quality of surgical nursing care and received knowledge was strong, suggesting a positive relationship between patient education and improvement of the quality of nursing care.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results, the quality of nursing care and patient education are interconnected. Thus, by improving patient education, the quality of nursing care can also be improved. It is particularly important to improve collaboration with family members and patients' own management strategies as well as the multidimensionality of educational knowledge.

Surgical perioperative pathways-Patient experiences of unmet needs show that a person-centred approach is needed

AIM

To explore patients' and healthcare professionals' experiences of patients' surgical pathways in a perioperative setting.

BACKGROUND

Elective surgical pathways have improved over the past decades due to fast-track programmes, but patients desire more personalised and coordinated care and treatment. There is little knowledge of how healthcare professionals' collaboration and communication affect patients' pathways.

DESIGN

The overall framework was complex intervention method. A phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was used for data analyses. COREQ checklist was used as a guideline to secure accurate and complete reporting of the study.

METHODS

Field observations (120 hr) and semi-structured interviews (24 patients) were undertaken during 2016-2017. Healthcare professionals involved in the pathways were interviewed: (a) 13 single interviews and (b) 13 focus group interviews (37 healthcare professionals) were conducted. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used.

RESULTS

Patients asked for individualised information adapted to their life and illness experiences. Furthermore, healthcare professionals need access to a quick overview of individual patients and their perioperative pathway in the electronic patient journal (EPJ). Agreements made with patients did not always reach the right receiver, there was poor interpersonal communication and the complex teamwork between many healthcare professionals made pathways incoherent and uncoordinated. Healthcare professionals who had the time to talk about other subjects than the disease with smiles and good humour gave patients a feeling of security.

CONCLUSION

Patients wanted to be treated as individuals, but often they received standard treatment. Healthcare professionals had the intention of treating patients individually, but the EPJ and information provided to patients were not easy to access.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Visible information about the patient's whole pathway could improve healthcare professionals' care and treatment. In addition, systematic feedback from patients' could make it possible to adjust information, care and treatment to achieve a more coherent pathway. Particular attention needs to be paid to how electronic healthcare systems can underpin relational coordination in pathways.

A Digital Patient-Led Hospital Checklist for Enhancing Safety in Cataract Surgery: Qualitative Study

Background

Surgery holds high risk for iatrogenic patient harm. Correct and sufficient communication and information during the surgical process is a root solution for preventing patient harm. Information technology may substantially contribute to engaging patients in this process.

Objective

To explore the feasibility of a digital patient-led checklist for cataract surgery, we evaluated the experiences of patients and nurses who have used this novel tool with a focus on use, appreciation, and impact.

Methods

A multidisciplinary team, including cataract surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and administrative representatives developed a 19-item digital patient-led checklist for cataract patients who underwent surgery in an ambulatory setting. This “EYEpad” checklist was distributed to patients and their companions during their hospital visit via an application on a tablet. It contained necessary information the patient should have received before or during the surgical preparation (8 items), before anesthesia (2 items), and before discharge (9 items). Patients and their companions were invited to actively indicate the information they received, or information discussed with them, by ticking on the EYEpad. Our qualitative research design included semi-structured individual interviews with 17 patients and a focus group involving 6 nurses. The transcripts were analyzed by 2 independent coders using both deductive and inductive coding.

Results

All but one of the 17 patients used the EYEpad, occasionally assisted by his or her companion (usually the partner). In several cases, the checklist was completed by the companion. Most patients felt positively about the usability of the EYEpad. Yet, for most of the patients, it was not clear why they received the checklist. Only 4 of them indicated that they understood that the EYEpad was used to determine if there were sufficient and correct information discussed or checked by the nurses. Although most nurses agreed the EYEpad was easy to use and could be a useful tool for improving patient engagement for improving safety, they felt that not all elderly patients were willing or capable of using it and it interfered with the existing surgical process. They also anticipated the need to spend more time explaining the purpose and use of the EYEpad.

Conclusions

Our results showed that a digital patient-led checklist is a potentially valid way to increase patient participation in safety improvement efforts, even among elderly patients. It also illustrates the crucial role nurses play in the implementation and diffusion of technological innovations. Increased patient participation will only improve safety when both healthcare workers and patients feel empowered to share responsibility and balance their power.

Patients' Experiences of Their Recovery Process After Minor Physical Trauma

Injuries due to trauma are the leading cause of death in Sweden among people younger than 45 years, and more than 120,000 patients were admitted to hospitals in 2014 as a result of trauma. Patients suffering from less serious physical trauma are often discharged directly from the trauma unit, commonly without any follow-up plans. There is a lack of knowledge about how these patients experience their recovery process.Eight women and 6 men were interviewed 3 months after being directly discharged from a trauma unit. Data were analyzed using the constructive grounded theory approach.The main finding was the core category of social support, the key to recovery. Patients' roads to recapturing their health and to recovery had several barriers, which can be clustered together to either physical or psychological symptoms that enhanced their feelings of ill health and delayed their recovery. Participants described different strategies that they used to deal with these barriers. Most important was the support of others, that is, family, social life, work, and health care (primary health care).The participants in this study described managing the recovery process by themselves as troublesome. This is partly because they do not view themselves as healthy, as the health care providers do, and many are in need of further health care after discharge. Health care providers should give better information on the expected process of recovery and the importance of social support, as it might enable patients to better overcome physical and psychological barriers in their recovery.

Perceptions and experiences of nutritional care following the overwhelming experience of lower extremity amputation: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

Good nutritional care of people following major lower extremity amputation is essential as poor nutritional status can lead to delayed wound healing. Working with patients to identify their perspectives on food, views on nutritional care and the need for dietary counselling enables the development of optimised nutritional care.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore hospital patients' perspectives on food, dietary counselling and their experiences of nutritional care following lower extremity amputation.

DESIGN

A qualitative, explorative study design was employed.

METHOD

An inductive content analysis of semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 17 people over 50 years of age, who had recently undergone major lower extremity amputation, was undertaken. The study was reported according to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guideline.

FINDINGS

Three themes emerged: responsible for own dietary intake, diet based on preferences and experiences with dietary counselling and feeling overwhelmed. The participants expressed motivation to ensure their nutritional needs were met but described feeling emotionally overwhelmed by the experience of amputation. They appeared not to expect nursing staff to focus on nutritional issues as they expressed belief that they themselves were solely responsible for their dietary intake. They described being motivated to receive nutritional counselling but indicated advice should be compatible with their lifestyle and eating habits.

CONCLUSION

Lower extremity amputation can be an overwhelming experience which affects nutritional intake. People appear to consider themselves responsible for their nutritional care and describe not experiencing or expecting nursing staff to engage in this aspect of care. Dietary counselling by nurses who respect and incorporate patient preferences and experiences following amputation has the potential to enhance nutritional care.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study illustrates that nurses caring for people who undergo lower extremity amputation need to recognise that nutritional care is an essential component of nursing and should focus on working in partnership with the patient.

Handover checklist: testing a standardization process in an Italian hospital

Objectives

This study aimed to standardize and rationalize the handover, a critical and essential moment in common health care practices, through the realization of an efficient and standardized checklist, which could be used daily to ensure complete, thorough and effective handover. The principal purpose of the implementation of the handover is to reduce errors due to superficial and insufficient communication.

Methods

The “operative group” defined the phases to the realization of the delineated aims: at first, the direct observation and the consequent realization of a handover checklist model and then, the experimental phases (trials). The handover checklist model was used for a month and it was daily and duly completed by the doctors who took part in the trial. To prove the success of the study, three questionnaires were distributed on different occasions.

Results

Analyzing the answers to the questionnaires, the importance of the handover has come to light and that for the most part, the doctors consider it an essential and irreplaceable moment in daily health care work. Moreover, it became obvious that the use of the handover checklist guaranteed a considerable improvement in the traditional handover in terms of security, completeness, care continuity and clarity. The handover checklist was completely appreciated by the majority of the participant doctors who agree with the definitive introduction of it in their unit.

Conclusions

Our study indicated the consistency of the handover checklist as an instrument to implement the handover and, indirectly, to improve the quality of the care.

Taking care of oneself by regaining control - a key to continue living four to five decades after a suicide attempt in severe depression

BACKGROUND

Depression is a strong risk factor for suicide and suicide attempt. Several studies have examined the pathway to suicide attempt, but few studies have considered aspects important for overcoming being suicidal. The aim of the present study was to examine personal strategies to continue living after a suicide attempt.

METHODS

A qualitative grounded theory approach was used. Thirteen former inpatients diagnosed with severe depression (1956-1969) participated in a follow-up 42-56 years after their last suicide attempt, which occurred between the ages of 21 and 45. They were interviewed on one occasion between June 2013 and January 2014, using semi-structured interviews.

RESULTS

The pathway to a suicide attempt was defined as 'being trapped in an overwhelming situation'. Three categories described the recovery process: 'coming under professional care', 'experiencing relief in the personal situation', and 'making a decision to continue living'. These categories emerged in a core category, labelled 'taking care of oneself by regaining control'. Overcoming being suicidal occurred regardless of recovering from depression.

CONCLUSION

In the very long-term course following a suicide attempt, the process of recovery is multi-dimensional and fluctuating, and includes appropriate treatment, connecting with others, decision making, and overcoming existential issues.