Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
-
Recognizing frailty and providing evidenced-based management in busy emergency departments is challenging. Understanding the knowledge and educational needs of ED staff is important to design training that might improve patient outcomes. ⋯ Most of the ED staff surveyed relied on clinical judgment rather than formal training in frailty identification. A high proportion reported poor knowledge and low confidence in recognizing frailty. Dedicated staff with frailty management expertise, bespoke education initiatives, and clearly defined frailty screening pathways may help address the issues identified.
-
The study purpose was to obtain an understanding of both the types of questions mandated for the triage encounter in emergency departments across the United States and how emergency nurses perceive the relevance of these questions to the triage process. ⋯ The conflation of regulatory data collection with patient assessment at the initial triage encounter challenges the ability of the emergency nurse to rapidly and accurately identify patients at risk of deterioration. We recommend that initial triage processes encompass questions that focus on establishing the stability of the patient and the safety of the waiting room and include inquiry relevant to the patient presentation.
-
Reducing nurse bias about patients with opioid use disorder in the emergency department is critical for providing nonjudgmental care, enhancing patient outcomes, supporting effective communication, and promoting a holistic approach to care. Emergency nurses can make a positive impact on the lives of individuals diagnosed as having opioid use disorder by providing care that is free from stigma and discrimination. ⋯ Opioid use disorder is a complex condition that requires a comprehensive and holistic approach to care. Study results indicate that providing an educational experience to address stigma about patients diagnosed as having opioid use disorder can significantly affect nurse perceptions about these patients and their self-efficacy when working with them. However, investing in a simulation-based educational experience provides a stronger experience and results in greater change, particularly for younger, less experienced emergency nurses.
-
According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, unfractionated heparin is a high-risk medication due to the potential for medication errors and adverse events. Unfractionated heparin is often started in the emergency department for patients with acute coronary syndromes or coagulopathies. Risk-mitigation strategies should be implemented to ensure appropriate initiation and monitoring of this high-risk medication. In 2019, an unfractionated heparin calculator was built into the electronic health record at a community medical center. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the calculator as a risk-mitigation strategy. ⋯ The use of the unfractionated heparin infusion calculator in the emergency department led to decrease in medication administration errors. This is the first study to evaluate the integration of an unfractionated heparin calculator into the electronic health record.
-
Emergency nurses play an important role in the early management of acute ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practice of emergency nurses in Beijing regarding the early management of acute ischemic stroke. ⋯ These findings may facilitate the implementation of education/training programs to improve the early management of acute ischemic stroke by nurses in emergency departments.