Adherence of the nursing team to patient safety actions in neonatal units

Nurses' adherence to patient safety protocols and its relationship with adverse patient events

INTRODUCTION

Ensuring patient safety is a critical component of healthcare delivery, and nurses play a vital role in adhering to patient safety protocols to prevent adverse events. However, studies linking nurses' adherence to these protocols with patient outcomes is scarce. This study has two-fold purposes: (1) to examine determinants of nurses' adherence to patient safety protocols, and (2) to investigate the relationship between nurses' adherence to patient safety protocols and adverse patient events.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional design.

METHODS

A total of 343 clinical nurses from five hospitals in the Philippines were included in this study. Two standardized scales were used to collect data, including the Patient Safety Adherence Scale and the Adverse Patient Events Scale. Data collection took place from April 2022 to August 2022.

RESULTS

Adherence to patient safety protocols was generally moderate to high (M = 4.483), while nurse-reported adverse events occurred at a lower frequency (M = 1.150). Lower adherence rates were identified in areas such as reporting safety errors (M = 3.950), conducting fall risk assessments (M = 4.299), and adhering to pressure ulcer prevention guidelines (M = 3.979). Patients' and their families' complaints (M = 2.129) and abuses (M = 1.475) were the most frequently reported adverse events. Increased adherence to safety protocols was associated with higher reporting of adverse patient events (β = 0.115, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Higher adherence to patient safety protocols resulted in an increased reporting of adverse patient events. The factors identified that contributed to nurses' adherence to patient safety protocols can be utilized in the development of strategies aimed at improving compliance, especially in areas where adherence is currently low.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Healthcare organizations should prioritize efforts to enhance adherence to patient safety protocols, particularly in areas with lower compliance rates, through relevant trainings, resource provision, and support systems. Promoting a culture of open communication and reporting can significantly contribute to reducing adverse events and improving patient safety.

Effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological Methods, Such as Breastfeeding, to Mitigate Pain in NICU Infants

Neonates do experience pain and its management is necessary in order to prevent long-term, as well as, short-term effects. The most common source of pain in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is caused by medically invasive procedures. NICU patients have to endure trauma, medical adhesive related skin injuries, heel lance, venipuncture and intramuscular injection as well as nasogastric catheterization besides surgery. A cornerstone in pain assessment is the use of scales such as COMFORT, PIPP-R, NIPS and N-PASS. This narrative review provides an up to date account of neonate pain management used in NICUs worldwide focusing on non-pharmacological methods. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have well established adverse side effects and opioids are addictive thus pharmacological methods should be avoided if possible at least for mild pain management. Non-pharmacological interventions, particularly breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking as primary strategies for pain management in neonates are useful strategies to consider. The best non-pharmacological methods are breastfeeding followed by non-nutritive sucking coupled with sucrose sucking. Regrettably most parents used only physical methods and should be trained and involved for best results. Further research in NICU is essential as the developmental knowledge changes and neonate physiology is further uncovered together with its connection to pain.

Alteration of skin condition in newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care: a concept analysis

OBJECTIVES

to analyze the concept of alteration of skin condition in newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

METHODS

this is a concept analysis operationalized by scoping review. The search was conducted in three parts: the first, in sources like Scopus and Web of Science; the second, in Google Scholar®; and the third, through a parallel list of references.

RESULTS

according to the types of skin, the most frequent alterations were erythema/redness and pressure injuries. The concept analysis was more evident in the attribute "skin lesions or alterations" than the others. The most frequent antecedents were gestational age, birth weight, and factors related to hospitalization. Among the consequences stood out infection/sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

this study allows improving the vision of health professionals regarding alterations in skin condition of neonates and, therefore, may contribute to a safe and systematized nursing practice.