Journal of nursing care quality
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A standardized nursing handoff form was designed and implemented to improve handoff process, and rates of nursing errors were measured to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. This study was a prospective intervention study, using 1-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design, conducted on an inpatient medical unit. The rates of nursing errors decreased from 9.2 (95% confidence interval, 8.0-10.3) to 5.7 (95% confidence interval, 5.1-6.9) per 100 admissions (P < .001), comparing the pre- and postintervention periods.
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High-risk low-volume therapies are those therapies that are practiced infrequently and yet carry an increased risk to patients because of their complexity. Staff nurses are required to competently manage these therapies to treat patients' unique needs and optimize outcomes; however, maintaining competence is challenging. This article describes implementation of Just-in-Time Training, which requires validation of minimum competency of bedside nurses managing high-risk low-volume therapies through direct observation of a return-demonstration competency checklist.
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We undertook a systems engineering approach to evaluate housewide implementation of daily chlorhexidine bathing. We performed direct observations of the bathing process and conducted provider and patient surveys. ⋯ Additional time was the main barrier. Institutions undertaking daily chlorhexidine bathing should perform a rigorous assessment of implementation to optimize the benefits of this intervention.
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The ramifications of patient migration toward the foot of the bed in intensive care units are not well understood. Migration may cause shear and friction between the patient and the mattress, reduce elevation of the patient's torso, and require frequent repositioning of the patient. This study assesses how bed design impacts both the amount of migration that patients undergo during head section articulation to 30° and 45° and the extent of torso compression following the articulation.
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Structured hourly nurse rounding is an effective method to improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. This program evaluation describes outcomes related to the implementation of hourly nurse rounding in one medical-surgical unit in a large community hospital. Overall Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems domain scores increased with the exception of responsiveness of staff. Patient falls and hospital-acquired pressure ulcers decreased during the project period.