TL;DR: This integrative review explores and synthesizes the published articles that address the impact of workplace nurse bullying on patient safety and concludes that workplace bullying is strongly associated with negative nursing outcomes.
Abstract: Workplace bullying is strongly associated with negative nursing outcomes, such as work dissatisfaction, turnover, and intent to leave; however, results of studies examining associations with specific patient safety outcomes are limited or nonspecific. This integrative review explores and synthesizes the published articles that address the impact of workplace nurse bullying on patient safety.
TL;DR: Results indicate that the JHFRAT is reliable, with high sensitivity and negative predictive validity, and specificity and positive predictive validity were lower than expected.
Abstract: Patient falls and fall-related injury remain a safety concern. The Johns Hopkins Fall Risk Assessment Tool (JHFRAT) was developed to facilitate early detection of risk for anticipated physiologic falls in adult inpatients. Psychometric properties in acute care settings have not yet been fully established; this study sought to fill that gap. Results indicate that the JHFRAT is reliable, with high sensitivity and negative predictive validity. Specificity and positive predictive validity were lower than expected.
TL;DR: Results suggest that relational leadership traits contribute to greater nurse satisfaction whereas task-oriented styles may decrease nurse satisfaction.
Abstract: The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize current evidence on nursing leadership styles, nurse satisfaction, and patient satisfaction. Results suggest that relational leadership traits contribute to greater nurse satisfaction whereas task-oriented styles may decrease nurse satisfaction. Minimal information for the connection between nursing leadership and patient satisfaction was found.
TL;DR: Nurses' job satisfaction, error-reporting culture, and one environmental factor of nursing quality were found to be major predictors of safety practices.
Abstract: Nurses' safety practices of medication administration, prevention of falls and unplanned extubations, and handover are essentials to patient safety. This study explored the prediction between such safety practices and work environment factors, workload, job satisfaction, and error-reporting culture of 1429 Taiwanese nurses. Nurses' job satisfaction, error-reporting culture, and one environmental factor of nursing quality were found to be major predictors of safety practices. The other environment factors related to professional development and participation in hospital affairs and nurses' workload had limited predictive effects on the safety practices. Increasing nurses' attention to patient safety by improving these predictors is recommended.
TL;DR: Hospital nurses' work activity was described through observations, nurses' perceptions of time spent on tasks, and electronic health record time stamps, and patients' perceptions and satisfaction with nurses' time at the bedside.
Abstract: The aim of this project was to describe hospital nurses' work activity through observations, nurses' perceptions of time spent on tasks, and electronic health record time stamps. Nurses' attitudes toward technology and patients' perceptions and satisfaction with nurses' time at the bedside were also examined. Activities most frequently observed included documenting in and reviewing the electronic health record. Nurses' perceptions of time differed significantly from observations, and most patients rated their satisfaction with nursing time as excellent or good.
TL;DR: An integrative review was conducted to understand the effect of barcode medication administration technology on medication errors, and characteristics of use demonstrated by nurses contribute to medication safety.
Abstract: In an effort to prevent medication errors, barcode medication administration technology has been implemented in many health care organizations. An integrative review was conducted to understand the effect of barcode medication administration technology on medication errors, and characteristics of use demonstrated by nurses contribute to medication safety. Addressing poor system use may support improved patient safety through the reduction of medication administration errors.
TL;DR: A multifaceted noise reduction program on 2 hospital units designed to ensure a quiet hospital environment, with the goal of improving the patient experience is described.
Abstract: This project describes a multifaceted noise reduction program on 2 hospital units designed to ensure a quiet hospital environment, with the goal of improving the patient experience. The noise committee in an urban city hospital developed a plan to control noise including scripted leadership rounding, staff education, a nighttime sleep promotion cart, and visual aids to remind staff to be quiet. Postintervention improvement in patient satisfaction scores was noted.
TL;DR: This pre-/postimplementation project used a multifaceted educational strategy with high-fidelity simulation to introduce evidence-based communication tools, adapted from Nursing Crew Resource Management, to intensive care unit nurses.
Abstract: Effective interprofessional communication is critical to patient safety. This pre-/postimplementation project used a multifaceted educational strategy with high-fidelity simulation to introduce evidence-based communication tools, adapted from Nursing Crew Resource Management, to intensive care unit nurses. Results indicated that participants were satisfied with the education, and their perceptions of interprofessional communication and knowledge improved. Teams (n = 16) that used the communication tools during simulation were more likely to identify the problem, initiate key interventions, and have positive outcomes.
TL;DR: Results revealed hospital and unit organizational factors associated with inpatient injurious falls among all patient falls with multilevel factors in hospitals.
Abstract: Using National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators data from July 2013 to June 2014, this correlational study examined the associations of injurious falls among all patient falls with multilevel factors in hospitals. The sample included all falls recorded in adult medical, surgical, combined medical-surgical, and step-down units (N = 2299) in participating hospitals (N = 488). Hierarchical negative binominal regression analyses were performed. Results revealed hospital and unit organizational factors associated with inpatient injurious falls.
TL;DR: Project results suggest that the restraint management bundle may provide a framework for guiding the process to reduce restraint use, minimize harm, and improve patient safety.
Abstract: Restraint use has been linked to longer lengths of stay and other undesirable outcomes. This evidence-based project explored the impact of a restraint management bundle on restraint use, quality, and safety outcomes. Results indicated that the proportion of intensive care unit patients restrained decreased significantly (24.3% vs 20.9%) following program implementation. Project results suggest that the restraint management bundle may provide a framework for guiding the process to reduce restraint use, minimize harm, and improve patient safety.
TL;DR: Previous education, experience, and academic degree were all found to affect nurses' compliance with ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention guidelines and the barriers and factors that affect their level of compliance.
Abstract: This study was a self-reported cross-sectional survey that investigated nurses' and hospitals' compliance with ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention guidelines and the barriers and factors that affect their level of compliance. A questionnaire was completed by 471 intensive care unit nurses from 16 medical centers in 3 Middle Eastern countries: Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The results show that both nurses and hospitals have insufficient compliance. Previous education, experience, and academic degree were all found to affect nurses' compliance.
TL;DR: Comparing implementation attributes and handoff performance across hospitals shows that the purpose of implementation did not differentiate between high and low performance, but facilitators and barriers did.
Abstract: Implementation of handoff as part of TeamSTEPPS initiatives for improving shift-change communication is examined via qualitative analysis of on-site interviews and process observations in 8 critical access hospitals. Comparing implementation attributes and handoff performance across hospitals shows that the purpose of implementation did not differentiate between high and low performance, but facilitators and barriers did. Staff involvement and being part of the "big picture" were important facilitators to change management and buy-in.
TL;DR: A nursing-driven hospitalwide delirium program targeting improvements in risk identification, prevention, detection, and treatment decreased over the course of the program, and overall falls decreased.
Abstract: Delirium is a potentially modifiable fall risk factor, but few studies address the effects of delirium programs on falls. Beginning in 2011, we implemented a nursing-driven hospitalwide delirium program targeting improvements in risk identification, prevention, detection, and treatment. Over the course of the program, delirium falls decreased from 0.91 to 0.50 per patient day (P = .0002). A decrease in overall falls was also noted (P = .0007).
TL;DR: Assessment of bedside nurses' perceived skills and attitudes about updated safety concepts and their impact on medication administration errors and adherence to safe medication administration practices support the premise that medicationadministration errors result from an interplay among system-, unit-, and nurse-level factors.
Abstract: Approximately a quarter of medication errors in the hospital occur at the administration phase, which is solely under the purview of the bedside nurse. The purpose of this study was to assess bedside nurses' perceived skills and attitudes about updated safety concepts and examine their impact on medication administration errors and adherence to safe medication administration practices. Findings support the premise that medication administration errors result from an interplay among system-, unit-, and nurse-level factors.
TL;DR: The University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing developed the Missouri Quality Initiative (MOQI) for nursing homes, which helped reduce potentially avoidable hospital transfers for nursing home residents.
Abstract: THE Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovations Centers partnered with 7 Enhanced Care and Coordination Provider (ECCP) sites across the United States with the goal to reduce potentially avoidable hospital transfers for nursing home residents. The University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing, 1 of the 7 ECCP sites, developed the Missouri Quality Initiative (MOQI) for nursing homes. The MOQI partnered with 16 nursing homes in the St Louis region to reduce potentially avoidable hospital transfers by implementing key elements to improve health con-
TL;DR: Jordanian nurses perceive their hospitals as places that need more effort to improve the safety culture, which is lower than the benchmarks of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Abstract: Medical error is a serious issue in hospitals in Jordan. This study explored Jordanian nurses' perceptions of the culture of safety in their hospitals. The Hospital Survey of Patient Safety Culture translated into Arabic was administered to a convenience sample of 391 nurses from 7 hospitals in Jordan. The positive responses to the 12 dimensions of safety culture ranged from 20.0% to 74.6%. These are lower than the benchmarks of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Jordanian nurses perceive their hospitals as places that need more effort to improve the safety culture.
TL;DR: Ethnicographic data on the experience of hospital middle managers is presented to consider how the expectations and capacity of their current position might influence QI progress organizationally.
Abstract: To date, health care quality improvement (QI) has focused on the engagement of executive leadership and frontline staff as key factors for success. Little work has been done on understanding how mid-level unit/program managers perceive their role in QI and how capacity could be built at this level to increase success. We present ethnographic data on the experience of hospital middle managers to consider how the expectations and capacity of their current position might influence QI progress organizationally.
TL;DR: An exploratory descriptive study was conducted to explore the perspectives of patients who had fallen in the hospital, and six themes emerged: Apathetic toward falls, self-blame behavior, reluctance to impose on busy nurses, negative feelings toward nurses, overestimating own ability, and poor retention of information.
Abstract: An exploratory descriptive study was conducted to explore the perspectives of patients who had fallen in the hospital; 100 patients were interviewed. An inductive content analysis approach was adopted. Six themes emerged: Apathetic toward falls, self-blame behavior, reluctance to impose on busy nurses, negative feelings toward nurses, overestimating own ability, and poor retention of information. Patients often downplayed the risks of falls and were reluctant to call for help.
TL;DR: The experiences of local ASP teams engaging nurses in appropriate antimicrobial use were explored to inform future strategies to enhance their involvement in ASPs.
Abstract: Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have predominately involved infectious diseases physicians and pharmacists with little attention to the nurses. To achieve optimal success of ASPs, engagement of nurses to actively participate in initiatives, strategies, and solutions to combat antibiotic resistance across the health care spectrum is required. In this context, the experiences of local ASP teams engaging nurses in appropriate antimicrobial use were explored to inform future strategies to enhance their involvement in ASPs.
TL;DR: Risk factors from the sensory perception and activity categories were not associated with risk of pressure ulcers and relatively low predictability of the Braden scale was found.
Abstract: Nurses working in intensive care units have expressed concern that some categories of the Braden scale such as activity and nutrition are not suitable for intensive care unit patients. Upon examining the validity of the Braden scale using the electronic health data, we found relatively low predictability of the tool. Risk factors from the sensory perception and activity categories were not associated with risk of pressure ulcers.
TL;DR: A team of advanced practice nurses, a nurse scientist, and Lean specialists developed a crosswalk of evidence-based practice (EBP) with Lean to explicitly embed the use of evidence in the authors' organization's 4-step problem-solving method.
Abstract: In our journey from Magnet designation to a Lean hospital, a team of advanced practice nurses, a nurse scientist, and Lean specialists developed a crosswalk of evidence-based practice (EBP) with Lean to explicitly embed the use of evidence in our organization's 4-step problem-solving method. Once finalized, the blended Lean-EBP model now guides improvement work as highlighted in the example of updating our practice for frequency of changing peripheral intravenous catheters.
TL;DR: An analysis of organizational data was conducted to examine the relationship between psychological safety and reports of nonadherence to the central line bundle checklist, and results showed varied perceptions of psychological safety but no relationship withNonadherence.
Abstract: Patient safety checklists are ubiquitous in health care. Nurses bear significant responsibility for ensuring checklist adherence. To report nonadherence to a checklist and stop an unsafe procedure, a workplace climate of psychological safety is needed. Thus, an analysis of organizational data was conducted to examine the relationship between psychological safety and reports of nonadherence to the central line bundle checklist. Results showed varied perceptions of psychological safety but no relationship with nonadherence. Considerations for this finding and assessing psychological safety are provided.
TL;DR: A scale assessing nurses' perceived skills and attitudes toward updated safety concepts is developed, content validity is determined, and internal consistency of the scale and subscales is examined.
Abstract: Health care organizations have incorporated updated safety principles in the analysis of errors and in norms and standards. Yet no research exists that assesses bedside nurses' perceived skills or attitudes toward updated safety concepts. The aims of this study were to develop a scale assessing nurses' perceived skills and attitudes toward updated safety concepts, determine content validity, and examine internal consistency of the scale and subscales. Understanding nurses' perceived skills and attitudes about safety concepts can be used in targeting strategies to enhance their safety practices.
TL;DR: Improved processes and outcomes from a virtual breakthrough series quality improvement collaborative to reduce preventable falls and fall-related injuries in 23 State Veterans Homes are reported on.
Abstract: This article reports on improved processes and outcomes from a virtual breakthrough series quality improvement collaborative to reduce preventable falls and fall-related injuries in 23 State Veterans Homes. Participating teams implemented 24 interventions (process changes); the most common was the postfall huddle. Teams reduced falls and fall-related injuries. This project highlights the importance of leadership support, interdisciplinary team involvement, and collaboration as essential components of fall prevention work.
TL;DR: Patients' perceptions of satisfaction, understanding, participation, and feelings of safety were significantly correlated with the frequency of bedside handoff and quality improvement strategies were effective in increasing the frequency.
Abstract: Patients' perceptions of satisfaction, understanding, participation, and feelings of safety were significantly correlated with the frequency of bedside handoff. Mean responses to survey items in these areas were significantly higher for patients who "always" experienced bedside handoff than for those who experienced it sporadically. Quality improvement strategies were effective in increasing the frequency of bedside handoff.
TL;DR: The Quiet Time Bundle implementation improved patient satisfaction and patient and nurse perceptions of noise even though the decrease in noise levels may not be discernible.
Abstract: Uncontrolled noise in the hospital setting can have a negative physiological and psychological impact on patients and nurses. To reduce unit noise levels and create a quiet patient and nurse experience, an evidence-based practice project was conducted in 4 progressive care units in a community hospital. The Quiet Time Bundle implementation improved patient satisfaction and patient and nurse perceptions of noise even though the decrease in noise levels may not be discernible.
TL;DR: The process outlined can be used by health care professionals to improve the effectiveness of interdisciplinary bedside rounds and is coined the care team visit.
Abstract: Interdisciplinary bedside rounds serve as a key mechanism to coordinate patient-centered care. With a focus on optimizing rounds, an interdisciplinary team developed an enhanced, structured process, coined the care team visit. Key findings included improved nurse participation, increased staff collaboration, and decreased Foley catheter days. The process outlined can be used by health care professionals to improve the effectiveness of interdisciplinary bedside rounds.
TL;DR: This project helped improve pressure ulcer rates in the Veterans Health Administration and presents a promising model for implementing a virtual model for improvement.
Abstract: The Veterans Health Administration implemented a Virtual Breakthrough Series to prevent pressure ulcers. The pressure ulcer rate decreased from 1.2 to 0.9 per 1000 bed days of care (P = .017). The most common interventions were education (N = 26; 68%), improved documentation (N = 23; 61%), and the use of equipment and supplies (N = 21; 55%). In summary, this project helped improve pressure ulcer rates in the Veterans Health Administration and presents a promising model for implementing a virtual model for improvement.
TL;DR: A program to examine whether education would impact RNs' willingness to report adverse events demonstrated a positive impact on adverse event reporting and support the need to create a culture of high reliability.
Abstract: Adverse event reporting is one strategy to identify risks and improve patient safety, but, historically, adverse events are underreported by registered nurses (RNs) because of fear of retribution and blame. A program was provided on high reliability to examine whether education would impact RNs' willingness to report adverse events. Although the findings were not statistically significant, they demonstrated a positive impact on adverse event reporting and support the need to create a culture of high reliability.
TL;DR: There are missing quality measures, issues with data quality and purpose, questionable usability of electronic health records, and an increased measurement burden and cost, so policymakers, administrators, health care professionals, and consumers need to collaborate on measure development and selection.
Abstract: For quality measures, confusion and discontentment have increased, as availability of electronic data and data collection tools has expanded. We examined current issues with quality measures across 4 stakeholder groups: developers, regulators/endorsers, data collectors, and consumer advocates. There are missing quality measures, issues with data quality and purpose, questionable usability of electronic health records, and an increased measurement burden and cost. Policymakers, administrators, health care professionals, and consumers need to collaborate on measure development and selection.