Contextual Barriers to Communication Between Physicians and Nurses About Appropriate Catheter Use

Nurse and Physician Perceptions and Decision Making During Interdisciplinary Communication: Factors That Influence Communication Channel Selection

Errors in decision making and communication play a key role in poor patient outcomes. Safe patient care requires effective decision making during interdisciplinary communication through communication channels. Research on factors that influence nurse and physician decision making during interdisciplinary communication is limited. Understanding influences on nurse and physician decision making during communication channel selection is needed to support effective communication and improved patient outcomes. The purpose of the study was to explore nurse and physician perceptions of and decision-making processes for selecting interruptive or noninterruptive interdisciplinary communication channels in medical-surgical and intermediate acute care settings. Twenty-six participants (10 RNs, 10 resident physicians, and six attending physicians) participated in semistructured interviews in two acute care metropolitan hospitals for this qualitative descriptive study. The Practice Primed Decision Model guided interview question development and early data analysis. Findings include a core category, Development of Trust in the Communication Process, supported by three main themes: (1) Understanding of Patient Status Drives Communication Decision Making; (2) Previous Interdisciplinary Communication Experience Guides Channel Selection; and (3) Perceived Usefulness Influences Communication Channel Selection. Findings from this study provide support for future design and research of communication channels within the EHR and clinical decision support systems.

Discussion-based interprofessional education: A positive step toward promoting shared understanding between surgical residents and nurses

Interprofessional education during medical training may improve communication by promoting collaboration and the development of shared mental models between professions. We implemented a novel discussion-based intervention for surgical residents and nurses to promote mutual understanding of workflows and communication practices. General surgery residents and inpatient nurses from our institution were recruited to participate. Surveys and paging data were collected prior to and following the intervention. Surveys contained original questions and validated subscales. Interventions involved facilitated discussions about workflows, perceptions of urgency, and technology preferences. Discussions were recorded and transcribed for qualitative content analysis. Pre and post-intervention survey responses were compared with descriptive sample statistics. Group characteristics were compared using Fisher's exact tests. Eleven intervention groups were conducted (2-6 participants per group) (n = 38). Discussions achieved three aims: Information-Sharing (learning about each other's workflows and preferences), 2) Interpersonal Relationship-Building (establishing rapport and fostering empathy) and 3) Interventional Brainstorming (discussing strategies to mitigate communication challenges). Post-intervention surveys revealed improved nurse-reported grasp of resident schedules and tailoring of communication methods based on workflow understanding; however, communication best practices remain limited by organizational and technological constraints. Systems-level changes must be prioritized to allow intentions toward collegial communication to thrive.

Urinary Catheter Documentation in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital: Are We Recording Enough?

Background

Urinary catheters are an important armamentarium of urologic practice. Several indications for their use exist. A good knowledge of the details surrounding every urinary catheter inserted is necessary for the proper management of the patients. Inadequate documentation can lead to complications such as urinary tract infection or even forgotten catheters.

Objectives

This study aimed at auditing the practice of documentation of urinary catheter parameters in our hospital as a means to improving the standard of care and aligning with international best practices with respect to the use of urinary catheters in our hospital.

Materials and Methods

This study was a 3-month audit on the quality of documentation on the parameters of each urinary catheter use in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The parameters included the indication for catheterisation, route of catheterisation, staff who catheterised, size of catheter, type of catheter, volume of water used for inflating catheter balloon, volume of urine drained, if aseptic technique was followed during catheterisation, informed consent and complications encountered. Data were summarised as frequencies and means. Statistical significance was pegged at P < 0.05.

Results

Seventy-four patients were men, whereas two were women. The mean age of the patients was 67.29 ± 15.17 years. Overall, sex (76 [100%]), age (76 [100%]) and route of catheterisation (68 [89.5%]) were the three most commonly documented information. The documentation on complications and volume of fluid instilled to inflate the catheter balloon were the least-documented parameters (6 [7.9%] and 11 [14.5%], respectively). The following parameters were better documented in the SPC arm: The staff who passed the catheter p = 0.000), the type of catheter passed (p = 0.004), asepsis (p = 0.001) and acquisition of informed consent (p = 0.043).

Conclusions

Documentation following urinary catheter use was noted to be poor in this study. Documentation of catheter parameters was noted to be higher in patients who had SPC than those who had urethral catheterisation.

To page or not to page? A qualitative study of communication practices of general surgery residents and nurses

BACKGROUND

Communication errors contribute to preventable adverse hospital events; however, communication between general surgery residents and nurses remains insufficiently studied. The purpose of our study was to use qualitative methods to characterize communication practices of surgical residents and nurses on inpatient general and intermediate care units to inform best practices and future interprofessional interventions.

METHODS

Our study cohort consisted of 14 general surgery residents and 13 inpatient nurses from a tertiary academic medical center. Focus groups were conducted via a secure video platform, recorded, and transcribed. Two authors performed open coding of transcripts for qualitative analysis. Codes were reviewed iteratively with themes generated via abductive analysis, contextualizing results within 3 domains of an established communication space framework: organizational, cognitive, and social complexity.

RESULTS

Communication practices of general surgery residents and inpatient nurses are affected by workflow differences, disruptive communication patterns, and communication technology. Barriers to effective communication, as well as strategies used to mitigate challenges, were characterized, with select communication practices found to negatively affect the well-being of patients, nurses, and residents.

CONCLUSION

Communication practices of general surgery residents and inpatient nurses are influenced by entrenched and interrelated organizational, technological, and interpersonal factors. Given that current communication practices negatively affect patient and provider well-being, collaboration between surgeons, nurses, systems engineers, health information technology experts, and other stakeholders is critical to (1) establish communication best practices, and (2) design interventions to assess and improve multiple areas (rather than isolated domains) of surgical interprofessional communication.

Developing a Nurse-Driven Vascular Access Device Order Set Using the Electronic Medical Record

The creation of an electronic order set to identify appropriate vascular access device utilization was the basis of this prospective quality improvement investigation, at a Level 1 trauma center in southeastern Pennsylvania. The data used in this investigation were gathered over a 36-month time frame from January 2017 through December 2019. This patient-centered approach utilized the evidence-based guidelines developed from The Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters and recommendations from the Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. The algorithmic approach developed by vascular access nurses led to statistically significant reductions in unnecessary peripherally inserted central catheter placement. The results also demonstrated an increase in appropriately placed peripheral intravenous catheters. Leveraging the electronic medical record with nursing expertise fosters patient safety across the continuum of care.

A Practical Guide for Building Collaborations Between Clinical Researchers and Engineers: Lessons Learned From a Multidisciplinary Patient Safety Project

OBJECTIVES

Engineering and operations research have much to contribute to improve patient safety, especially within complex, highly regulated, and constantly evolving hospital environments. Despite new technologies, clinical checklists, and alarm systems, basic challenges persist that impact patient safety, such as how to improve communication between healthcare providers to prevent hospital-acquired complications. Because these collaborations are often new territory for both clinical researchers and engineers, the aim of the study was to prepare research teams that are embarking on similar collaborations regarding common challenges and training needs to anticipate while developing multidisciplinary teams.

METHODS

Using a specific patient safety project as a case study, we share lessons learned and research training tools developed in our experience from recent multidisciplinary collaborations between clinical and engineering teams, which included many nonclinical undergraduate and graduate students.

RESULTS

We developed a practical guide to describe anticipated challenges and solutions to consider for developing successful partnerships between engineering and clinical researchers. To address the extensive clinical, regulatory, data collection, and laboratory education needed for orienting multidisciplinary team members to join research projects, we also developed and shared a checklist for project managers as well as the training materials as adaptable resources to facilitate other teams' initiation into these types of collaborations. These resources are appropriate and tailorable for orienting both clinical and nonclinical team members, including faculty and staff as well as undergraduate and graduate students.

CONCLUSIONS

We shared a practical guide to prepare teams for new multidisciplinary collaborations between clinicians and engineers.

Reducing Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) by Reducing Central Line Days

Purpose of Review

While reducing unnecessary days present of central venous catheters (CVCs) is part of central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) best practices, there is limited information regarding compliance with this recommendation as well as addressing barriers to compliance.

Recent Findings

Significant work has been directed towards daily audits of necessity and improving communication between members of the medical team. Other critical interventions include utilization of the electronic health record (EHR), leadership support of CLABSI reduction goals, and avoiding CVC placement over more appropriate vascular access.

Summary

Institutions have varied approaches to addressing the issue of removing idle CVCs, and more standardized approaches in checklists as well as communication, particularly on multidisciplinary rounds, will be key to CVC removal. Utilization of the EHR for reminders or appropriate documentation of necessity is a factor. Avoidance of placing a CVC or appropriateness of the CVC is also important to consider.

A Multisite Study of Interprofessional Teamwork and Collaboration on General Medical Services

BACKGROUND

Teamwork and collaboration are essential to providing high-quality care. Prior research has found discrepancies between nurses' and physicians' perceptions in operating rooms, ICUs, and labor and delivery units. Less is known about health care professionals' perceptions of teamwork and collaboration on general medical services.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included nurses, nurse assistants, and physicians working on general medical services in four mid-sized hospitals. Researchers assessed teamwork climate using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire and asked respondents to rate the quality of collaboration experienced with their own and other professional categories.

RESULTS

Data for 380 participants (80 hospitalists, 13 resident physicians, 193 nurses, and 94 nurse assistants) were analyzed. Hospitalists had the highest median teamwork climate score (83.3, interquartile range [IQR] = 72.3-91.1), and nurses had the lowest (78.6, IQR = 69.6-87.5), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.42). Median teamwork climate scores were significantly different across the four sites (highest = 83.3, IQR = 75.0-91.1; lowest = 76.8, IQR = 66.7-88.4; p = 0.003). Ratings of the quality of collaboration differed significantly based on professional category. Specifically, 63.3% (50/79) of hospitalists rated the quality of collaboration with nurses as high or very high, while 48.7% (94/193) of nurses rated the quality of collaboration with hospitalists as high or very high.

CONCLUSION

This study found significant differences in perceptions of teamwork climate across sites and in collaboration across professional categories on general medical services. Given the importance in providing high-quality care, leaders should consider conducting similar assessments to characterize teamwork and collaboration on general medical services within their own hospitals.

Trends in Health Care-Associated Infection Prevention Practices in US Veterans Affairs Hospitals From 2005 to 2017

IMPORTANCE

Health care-associated infection (HAI) is associated with substantial harm. To reduce HAI, the largest integrated health care system in the United States-the Veterans Health Administration-was an early adopter of infection prevention policies and initiatives. Whether these efforts translated into increased use of practices to prevent HAI in Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes over time in infection prevention practices and the perception of the importance of infection prevention to hospital leadership.

DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS

For this survey study, every 4 years between 2005 and 2017, infection preventionists were surveyed at all VA hospitals on use of practices associated with common HAIs, including central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and (beginning in 2013) Clostridioides difficile infection. Data analysis was performed from February 1, 2019, to July 1, 2019.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Reported regular use of key infection prevention practices and perceived importance of infection prevention to hospital leadership.

RESULTS

Between 2005 and 2017, 320 total surveys were completed with response rates ranging from 59% (73 of 124) in 2017 to 80% (95 of 119) in 2005. Use of 12 different infection prevention practices increased. Since 2013, 92% (69 of 75) to 100% of VA hospitals reported regular use of key infection prevention practices for C difficile infection and CLABSI. In contrast, adoption of many practices to prevent CAUTI, although increasing, have lagged. Despite reported increases in the use of some practices for VAP such as semirecumbent positioning (89% [79 of 89] in 2005 vs 97% [61 of 63] in 2017, P = .007 for trend) and subglottic secretion drainage (23% [19 of 84] in 2005 vs 65% [40 of 62] in 2017, P < .001), use of other key practices such as daily interruptions of sedation (85% [55 of 65] in 2009 vs 87% [54 of 62] in 2017, P = .66) and early mobilization (81% [52 of 64] in 2013 vs 82% [51 of 62] in 2017, P = .88) has not increased. Antibiotic stewardship programs are now reported in nearly every VA hospital (97% [71 of 73]); however, some hospitals report practices for microbiologic testing for HAIs (eg, 22% [16 of 72] report routine urine culture testing in 2017) that could also contribute to antibiotic overuse.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

From 2005 to 2017, reported use of 12 different infection prevention practices increased in VA hospitals. Areas for continued improvement of infection prevention practices appear to include CAUTI, certain VAP practices, and diagnostic stewardship for HAI. The reported adoption of many infection prevention practices in VA hospitals was higher than in non-VA hospitals. As hospitals continue to merge and health systems become increasingly integrated, these successes could help inform patient safety broadly.

Persistent Barriers to Timely Catheter Removal Identified from Clinical Observations and Interviews

BACKGROUND

Indwelling urinary and vascular catheters are valuable devices in patient care, but prolonged or unnecessary use increases the risk of infectious and noninfectious catheter harms.

METHODS

To understand persistent barriers to detecting and removing unnecessary catheters, researchers conducted a multimethod qualitative study that included observations and in-person interviews with clinicians working on a progressive care unit of a large hospital. Observations consisted of shadowing nurses during shift change and while admitting patients, and observing physicians during morning rounds. Observational data were gathered using unstructured field notes. Interviews were conducted using a semistructured guide, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to identify main themes.

RESULTS

Barriers to timely removal identified during 19 interviews with clinicians and 133 hours of field observations included physicians not routinely reviewing catheter necessity during rounds, catheters going unnoticed or hidden under clothing, common use of "Do Not Remove" orders, and little or no discussion of catheters among clinicians. Five overall themes emerged: (1) Catheter data are hard to find, not accurate, or not available; (2) Catheter removal is not a priority; (3) Confusion exists about who has authority to remove catheters; (4) There is a lack of agreement on, and awareness of, standard protocols and indications for removal; and (5) Communication barriers among clinicians create challenges.

CONCLUSION

To address barriers and facilitate detection and timely removal, clinicians need ready access to accurate catheter data, more clearly delineated clinician roles for prompting removal, effective tools to facilitate discussions about catheter use, and standardized catheter removal protocols.