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Kwong JL, Bourn S, Hillier M, Merko M, Grass AJ, Ednie T, Verbeek PR. A Quality Improvement Initiative to Increase Confirmation of Prehospital Endotracheal Tube Placement at Emergency Department Transfer of Care. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38861683 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2024.2366401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Rates of prehospital unplanned extubation (UE) range from 0 to 25% and are the result of many factors, including patient movement. Transfer of care of intubated patients to the emergency department (ED) involves significant patient movement and represents a high-risk event for UE. Frequent confirmation of endotracheal tube (ETT) placement is imperative for early recognition of UE and to minimize patient harm. METHODS Local Practice-Our baseline rate of verbal ETT position confirmation with a member of the ED team during ED transfer of care was 74%. Our goal was to increase this practice to >90% in six months. This project was completed in partnership with Toronto Paramedic Services. Prehospital electronic patient care records (ePCRs) were reviewed weekly to determine the proportion of intubated patients who had ETT placement confirmed in the ED at transfer of care. Interventions-Pre- and post-project paramedic focus groups were conducted to identify potential drivers, change ideas, and project feedback. Three staggered interventions were introduced over five months: (1) memorandums to paramedics, ED chiefs and respiratory therapy leads, (2) individualized paramedic feedback e-mails, and (3) ePCR changes and closing rules. RESULTS The pre-project focus group identified several potential drivers, such as physical barriers, interprofessional relationships, and communication. ETT confirmation remained ≥90% for the last eight weeks and interventions resulted in special cause variation. Median cases without verbal confirmation between paramedics and ED staff reduced from 5/week (IQR 2.5, 6.5) to 1/week (IQR 0, 2). UE was identified in 0.6% (2/340) of patients with ETT confirmation. The post-project focus group noted improvements in perceived accountability, interprofessional relationships, and satisfaction with interventions. CONCLUSION Through a series of interventions, we improved the rate of ETT confirmation during ED transfer of care. Although rates of UE were low, improvement in ETT confirmation may lead to faster recognition of UE when it does occur thereby mitigating complications. The observed improvement was sustained after interventions ended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan L Kwong
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Morgan Hillier
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Sunnybrook Centre for Prehospital Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mike Merko
- Sunnybrook Centre for Prehospital Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - A J Grass
- Toronto Paramedic Services, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tim Ednie
- Toronto Paramedic Services, Toronto, Canada
| | - P Richard Verbeek
- Sunnybrook Centre for Prehospital Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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McGahern C, Cantor Z, De Mendonca B, Dawson J, Boisvert L, Dalgleish D, Newhook D, Reddy D, Bresee N, Alnaji F. Closing the Loop: The Value of Outcome Letters for Prehospital Pediatric Care. Pediatr Emerg Care 2024; 40:261-264. [PMID: 37205877 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Providing emergency care to acutely ill or injured children is stressful and requires a high level of training. Paramedics who provide prehospital care are typically not involved in the circle of care and do not receive patient outcome information. The aim of this quality improvement project was to assess paramedics' perceptions of standardized outcome letters pertaining to acute pediatric patients that they had treated and transported to an emergency department. METHODS Between December 2019 and December 2020, 888 outcome letters were distributed to paramedics who provided care for 370 acute pediatric patients transported to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa, Canada. All paramedics who received a letter (n = 470) were invited to participate in a survey that collected their perceptions and feedback about the letters, as well as their demographic information. RESULTS The response rate was 37% (172/470). Approximately half of the respondents were Primary Care Paramedics and half Advanced Care Paramedics. The respondents' median age was 36 years, median years of service was 12 years, and 64% identified as male. Most agreed that the outcome letters contained information pertinent to their practice (91%), allowed them to reflect on care they had provided (87%), and confirmed clinical suspicions (93%). Respondents indicated that they found the letters useful for 3 reasons: 1) increases capacity to link differential diagnoses, prehospital care, or patient outcomes; 2) contributes to a culture of continuous learning and improvement; and 3) gives closure, reduces stress, or provides answers for difficult cases. Suggestions for improvement included providing more information, provision of letters on all patients transported, faster turnaround time between call and receipt of letter and inclusion of recommendations or interventions/assessments. CONCLUSIONS Paramedics appreciated receiving hospital-based patient outcome information after their provision of care and reported that the letters offered opportunities for closure, reflection, and learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice McGahern
- From the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zachary Cantor
- Regional Paramedic Program of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jennifer Dawson
- From the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Liane Boisvert
- Emergency Department, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dale Dalgleish
- From the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dennis Newhook
- From the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deepti Reddy
- From the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Strandås M, Vizcaya-Moreno MF, Ingstad K, Sepp J, Linnik L, Vaismoradi M. An Integrative Systematic Review of Promoting Patient Safety Within Prehospital Emergency Medical Services by Paramedics: A Role Theory Perspective. J Multidiscip Healthc 2024; 17:1385-1400. [PMID: 38560485 PMCID: PMC10981423 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s460194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Timely and effective prehospital care significantly impacts patient outcomes. Paramedics, as the frontline providers of emergency medical services, are entrusted with a range of critical responsibilities aimed at safeguarding the well-being of patients from the moment they initiate contact in the out-of-hospital environment to the time of handover at healthcare facilities. This study aimed to understand the multifaceted roles of paramedics in promoting patient safety within the context of prehospital emergency medical services. A systematic review with an integrative approach using the Whittemore and Knafl's framework was performed examining qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research, then conducting data assessment, quality appraisal, and narrative research synthesis. Literature search encompassed PubMed (including MEDLINE), Scopus, Cinahl, ProQuest, Web of Science, and EMBASE, with the aim of retrieving studies published in English in the last decade from 2013 to 2023. To conceptualize the roles of paramedics in ensuring patient safety, the review findings were reflected to and analyzed through the role theory. The preliminary exploration of the database yielded 2397 studies, ultimately narrowing down to a final selection of 16 studies for in-depth data analysis and research synthesis. The review findings explored facilitators and obstacles faced by paramedics in maintaining patient safety in terms of role ambiguity, role conflict, role overload, role identity, and role insufficiency in the dynamic nature of prehospital care. It also highlighted the diverse roles of paramedics in ensuring patient safety, which encompassed effective communication and decision making for the appropriate management of life-threatening emergencies. The effectiveness of paramedics in playing their roles in promoting patient safety relies on acknowledging the contributions of paramedics to the culture of patient safety; training and educational initiatives focused on enhancing their decision-making abilities and both their non-technical and technical competencies; developing relevant guidelines and protocols; improving collaboration between paramedics and other healthcare peers; optimizing environmental conditions and equipment; fostering a supportive work environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Strandås
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | | | - Kari Ingstad
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
| | - Jaana Sepp
- Tallinn Health Care College, Academic and International Affairs Office, Tallin, Estonia
| | - Ljudmila Linnik
- Tallinn Health Care College, Academic and International Affairs Office, Tallin, Estonia
| | - Mojtaba Vaismoradi
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
- Faculty of Science and Health, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, Australia
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4
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Schneider K, Williams M, Mohr NM, Ahmed A. Rural Emergency Medical Services Clinicians' Perceptions and Preferences in Receiving Clinical Feedback From Hospitals: A Qualitative Needs Assessment. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2024; 28:735-744. [PMID: 38416871 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2024.2324970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians experience dissatisfaction with the quality and quantity of clinical feedback from hospitals. Satisfaction is further diminished by the lack of a standardized systems approach. The purpose of this study was to identify rural clinicians' perceptions and preferences regarding clinical feedback received from hospitals, the delivery mechanisms, and its impact on their relationships with health care organizations. METHODS This was a qualitative study focused on EMS clinicians involved in rural prehospital care at a single Midwestern academic medical center. Using a phenomenological framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted with medical directors, service directors, fire captains, air medical personnel, emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, and paramedics, all of whom were selected through purposive sampling. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and independently coded by two trained reviewers. RESULTS Twenty participants (11 frontline clinicians and 9 administrative staff members) with a wide range of clinical experience from 14 air and ground EMS agencies were interviewed. Emerging themes included: (1) the value or usefulness of feedback; (2) desired feedback system characteristics; (3) barriers to receiving feedback; (4) utilization and application of feedback; and (5) the feedback's impact on the relationship with health care organizations. Participants felt that clinical feedback from hospitals was especially important as a method of improving quality of care, though was rarely provided. Professional development was seen as a major benefit of receiving clinical feedback from hospitals. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that consistent clinical feedback provided by hospitals was valued. Establishing a culture of providing organized feedback to practicing rural EMS clinicians is important for professional development and can strengthen the relationships between EMS clinicians and hospitals. These study findings can assist in the development and implementation of a standardized feedback instrument to benefit rural EMS clinicians, patients, and the health care system as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Schneider
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Mimi Williams
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Nicholas M Mohr
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa
- Divison of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Azeemuddin Ahmed
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
- Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, Iowa City, Iowa
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Brown JB, Schreiber M, Moore EE, Jenkins DH, Bank EA, Gurney JM. Commentary on gaps in prehospital trauma care: education and bioengineering innovations to improve outcomes in hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2024; 9:e001122. [PMID: 38196935 PMCID: PMC10773423 DOI: 10.1136/tsaco-2023-001122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhage remains the leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield and the civilian arena. Many of these deaths occur in the prehospital setting. Traumatic brain injury also represents a major source of early mortality and morbidity in military and civilian settings. The inaugural HERETIC (HEmostatic REsuscitation and Trauma Induced Coagulopathy) Symposium convened a multidisciplinary panel of experts in prehospital trauma care to discuss what education and bioengineering advancements in the prehospital space are necessary to improve outcomes in hemorrhagic shock and traumatic brain injury. The panel identified several promising technological breakthroughs, including field point-of-care diagnostics for hemorrhage and brain injury and unique hemorrhage control options for non-compressible torso hemorrhage. Many of these technologies exist but require further advancement to be feasibly and reliably deployed in a prehospital or combat environment. The panel discussed shifting educational and training paradigms to clinical immersion experiences, particularly for prehospital clinicians. The panel discussed an important balance between pushing traditionally hospital-based interventions into the field and developing novel intervention options specifically for the prehospital environment. Advancing prehospital diagnostics may be important not only to allow more targeted applications of therapeutic options, but also to identify patients with less urgent injuries that may not need more advanced diagnostics, interventions, or transfer to a higher level of care in resource-constrained environments. Academia and industry should partner and prioritize some of the promising advances identified with a goal to prepare them for clinical field deployment to optimize the care of patients near the point of injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Brown
- Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Martin Schreiber
- Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Ernest E Moore
- Surgery, Ernest E Moore Shock Trauma Center at Denver Health, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Donald H Jenkins
- Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Eric A Bank
- Harris County Emergency Services District No 48, Katy, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer M Gurney
- Defense Committees on Trauma, Joint Trauma System, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Department of Surgery, San Antonio Military Health System, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Song Z, Shen Y, Yao X, Wen S, Wang J, Chen Y, Zhang P, Huang X. "Discovering shine through feedback seeking"---feedback seeking among new graduate nurses: a qualitative study. BMC Nurs 2024; 23:10. [PMID: 38163860 PMCID: PMC10759581 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-023-01657-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feedback is critical to improving practitioners' clinical practice and professional growth. Although they are still considered junior practitioners, their feedback-seeking experiences have yet to be investigated. This study aimed to understand the fundamental thoughts and experiences of new graduate nurses regarding feedback-seeking and to identify the main factors that influence their feedback-seeking behaviors. METHODS Conducting a descriptive phenomenological study, semi-structured in-depth interviews with newly graduated nurses from four hospitals in Zhejiang Province, China, face-to-face or via video call in the hospital conference room through purposive and snowball sampling. Interview data were evaluated using Colaizzi's 7-step phenomenological data analysis. The COREQ checklist was followed. RESULTS A total of 15 new graduate nurses were interviewed as a sample, and 13 categories emerged from our data. They were categorized into four central elements: (1) perceptions and attitudes, (2) drivers, (3) dilemmas and needs, and (4) transformation and growth. CONCLUSIONS This study found that new graduate nurses have various needs but face dilemmas in the feedback-seeking process. Nursing managers should be proficient at providing positive leadership, collaborating with clinical mentors to foster an atmosphere where new graduate nurses may obtain honest, transparent, and fair feedback, and exercising caution when providing negative feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziling Song
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 West Xueyuan Road Wenzhou, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shen
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 West Xueyuan Road Wenzhou, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Yao
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 West Xueyuan Road Wenzhou, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Siqi Wen
- School of Nursing, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 West Xueyuan Road Wenzhou, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanyan Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 West Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peihua Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 West Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 West Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, China.
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Wilson C, Janes G, Lawton R, Benn J. Types and effects of feedback for emergency ambulance staff: a systematic mixed studies review and meta-analysis. BMJ Qual Saf 2023; 32:573-588. [PMID: 37028937 PMCID: PMC10512001 DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2022-015634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive research has been conducted into the effects of feedback interventions within many areas of healthcare, but prehospital emergency care has been relatively neglected. Exploratory work suggests that enhancing feedback and follow-up to emergency medical service (EMS) staff might provide staff with closure and improve clinical performance. Our aim was to summarise the literature on the types of feedback received by EMS professionals and its effects on the quality and safety of patient care, staff well-being and professional development. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis, including primary research studies of any method published in peer-reviewed journals. Studies were included if they contained information on systematic feedback to emergency ambulance staff regarding their performance. Databases searched from inception were MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, PsycINFO, HMIC, CINAHL and Web of Science, with searches last updated on 2 August 2022. Study quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data analysis followed a convergent integrated design involving simultaneous narrative synthesis and random effects multilevel meta-analyses. RESULTS The search strategy yielded 3183 articles, with 48 studies meeting inclusion criteria after title/abstract screening and full-text review. Interventions were categorised as audit and feedback (n=31), peer-to-peer feedback (n=3), postevent debriefing (n=2), incident-prompted feedback (n=1), patient outcome feedback (n=1) or a combination thereof (n=4). Feedback was found to have a moderate positive effect on quality of care and professional development with a pooled effect of d=0.50 (95% CI 0.34, 0.67). Feedback to EMS professionals had large effects in improving documentation (d=0.73 (0.00, 1.45)) and protocol adherence (d=0.68 (0.12, 1.24)), as well as small effects in enhancing cardiac arrest performance (d=0.46 (0.06, 0.86)), clinical decision-making (d=0.47 (0.23, 0.72)), ambulance times (d=0.43 (0.12, 0.74)) and survival rates (d=0.22 (0.11, 0.33)). The between-study heterogeneity variance was estimated at σ2=0.32 (95% CI 0.22, 0.50), with an I2 value of 99% (95% CI 98%, 99%), indicating substantial statistical heterogeneity. CONCLUSION This review demonstrated that the evidence base currently does not support a clear single point estimate of the pooled effect of feedback to EMS staff as a single intervention type due to study heterogeneity. Further research is needed to provide guidance and frameworks supporting better design and evaluation of feedback interventions within EMS. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42020162600.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Wilson
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Research and Development Department, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Wakefield, UK
- Yorkshire Quality and Safety Research Group, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK
| | - Gillian Janes
- Department of Nursing, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Rebecca Lawton
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Yorkshire Quality and Safety Research Group, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK
| | - Jonathan Benn
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Yorkshire Quality and Safety Research Group, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK
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Wilson C, Janes G, Lawton R, Benn J. Feedback for Emergency Ambulance Staff: A National Review of Current Practice Informed by Realist Evaluation Methodology. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2229. [PMID: 37628427 PMCID: PMC10454701 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11162229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Research suggests that feedback in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) positively affects quality of care and professional development. However, the mechanisms by which feedback achieves its effects still need to be better understood across healthcare settings. This study aimed to understand how United Kingdom (UK) ambulance services provide feedback for EMS professionals and develop a programme theory of how feedback works within EMS, using a mixed-methods, realist evaluation framework. A national cross-sectional survey was conducted to identify feedback initiatives in UK ambulance services, followed by four in-depth case studies involving qualitative interviews and documentary analysis. We used qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics to analyse survey responses from 40 prehospital feedback initiatives, alongside retroductive analysis of 17 interviews and six documents from case study sites. Feedback initiatives mainly provided individual patient outcome feedback through "pull" initiatives triggered by staff requests. Challenges related to information governance were identified. Our programme theory of feedback to EMS professionals encompassed context (healthcare professional and organisational characteristics), mechanisms (feedback and implementation characteristics, psychological reasoning) and outcomes (implementation, staff and service outcomes). This study suggests that most UK ambulance services use a range of feedback initiatives and provides 24 empirically based testable hypotheses for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Wilson
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Research and Development Department, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Wakefield WF2 0XQ, UK
- Yorkshire Quality and Safety Research Group, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Gillian Janes
- Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BH, UK
| | - Rebecca Lawton
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Yorkshire Quality and Safety Research Group, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Jonathan Benn
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Yorkshire Quality and Safety Research Group, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK
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Hörberg A, Wälivaara BM, Wihlborg J. Taking or creating control: A qualitative study of uncertainty among novice nurses in ambulance care. Int Emerg Nurs 2023; 69:101308. [PMID: 37348240 DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2023.101308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In emergency nursing situations, uncertainty may lead to delays, or block a decision which can have devastating consequences for a patient. The ambulance service is a complex clinical environment that often challenges the decision-making capabilities of the professionals, especially novice nurses. Novice nurses' uncertainty may also lead to unhealthy transitions and turnover. To increase the understanding of how uncertainty affects novice nurses, this study explores novice nurses' uncertainty during the first year of professional practice in the ambulance service. METHOD A qualitative descriptive design was applied using qualitative content analysis of thirteen individual face-to-face semi-structured deep interviews. RESULT From nine subcategories, three generic categories were derived: Reflections on contextual understanding, Strategies to create control, and Actions to take control. These were combined to form the main category Understanding what and dealing with how, while becoming a confident professional. CONCLUSION Uncertainty is exacerbated by situations that demand rapid decisions or actions. This is especially true of newcomers to a profession. Preparing novices through study programs and encouraging continuous reflection in professional practice may increase resilience and tolerance of uncertainty, as well as benefiting professional development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hörberg
- Dalarna University, School of Health and Welfare, SE-791 88 Falun, Sweden.
| | - Britt-Marie Wälivaara
- Luleå University of Technology, Division of Nursing and Medical Technology, Department of Health, Education and Technology, SE-971 87 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Jonas Wihlborg
- Dalarna University, School of Health and Welfare, SE-791 88 Falun, Sweden
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Melnyk H, Di Tosto G, Powell J, Panchal AR, McAlearney AS. Conflict in the EMS Workforce: An Analysis of an Open-Ended Survey Question Reveals a Complex Assemblage of Stress, Burnout, and Pandemic-Related Factors Influencing Well-Being. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20105861. [PMID: 37239587 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20105861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) clinicians provide patient care within a high-stakes, unpredictable, and complex work environment in which conflict is inevitable. Our objective was to explore the extent to which added stressors of the pandemic exacerbated EMS workplace conflict. We administered our survey to a sample of U.S. nationally certified EMS clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2022. Out of 1881 respondents, 46% (n = 857) experienced conflict and 79% (n = 674) provided free-text descriptions of their experience. The responses were analyzed for themes using qualitative content analysis, and they were then sorted into codes using word unit sets. Code counts, frequencies, and rankings were tabulated, enabling quantitative comparisons of the codes. Of the fifteen codes to emerge, stress (a precursor of burnout) and burnout-related fatigue were the key factors contributing to EMS workplace conflict. We mapped our codes to a conceptual model guided by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report on using a systems approach to address clinician burnout and professional well-being to explore implications for addressing conflict within that framework. Factors attributed to conflict mapped to all levels of the NASEM model, lending empirical legitimacy to a broad systems approach to fostering worker well-being. Our findings lead us to propose that active surveillance (enhanced management information and feedback systems) of frontline clinicians' experiences during public health emergencies could increase the effectiveness of regulations and policies across the healthcare system. Ideally, the contributions of the occupational health discipline would become a mainstay of a sustained response to promote ongoing worker well-being. The maintenance of a robust EMS workforce, and by extension the health professionals in its operational sphere, is unquestionably essential to our preparedness for the likelihood that pandemic threats may become more commonplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halia Melnyk
- Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43202, USA
| | - Gennaro Di Tosto
- Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43202, USA
| | - Jonathan Powell
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, Columbus, OH 43223, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Ashish R Panchal
- Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43202, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Ann Scheck McAlearney
- Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43202, USA
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Whitley GA, Wijegoonewardene N, Nelson D, Curtis F, Ortega M, Siriwardena AN. Patient, family member, and ambulance staff experiences of prehospital acute pain management in adults: A systematic review and meta-synthesis. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2023; 4:e12940. [PMID: 37056718 PMCID: PMC10086522 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background We aimed to synthesize the qualitative experiences of patients, their family members, and ambulance staff involved in the prehospital management of acute pain in adults and generate recommendations to improve the quality of care. Methods A systematic review was conducted following the enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research (ENTREQ) guidelines. We searched from inception to June 2021: MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO and Web of Science (search alerts were screened up to December 2021). Articles were eligible for inclusion if they reported qualitative data and were published in the English language. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program for qualitative studies checklist was used to assess risk of bias, thematic synthesis was performed on included studies and recommendations for clinical practice improvement were generated. Results Twenty-five articles were included in the review, representing over 464 patients, family members, and ambulance staff from 8 countries. Six analytical themes and several recommendations to improve clinical practice were generated. Strengthening the patient-clinician relationship by building trust, promoting patient empowerment, addressing patient needs and expectations, and providing a holistic approach to pain treatment is key to improving prehospital pain management in adults. Shared pain management guidelines and training across the prehospital and emergency department intersection should improve the patient journey. Conclusion Interventions and guidelines that strengthen the patient-clinician relationship and span the prehospital and emergency department phase of care are likely to improve the quality of care for adults suffering acute pain in the prehospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Adam Whitley
- Community and Health Research UnitUniversity of LincolnLincolnUK
- Clinical Audit and Research UnitEast Midlands Ambulance Service NHS TrustLincolnUK
| | - Nimali Wijegoonewardene
- Community and Health Research UnitUniversity of LincolnLincolnUK
- Healthcare Quality and SafetyMinistry of HealthColomboSri Lanka
| | - David Nelson
- Lincoln International Institute for Rural HealthUniversity of LincolnLincolnUK
| | - Ffion Curtis
- Centre for Ethnic Health ResearchEast Midlands Applied Research CollaborationUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
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