Factors contributing to patient safety during triage process in the emergency department: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Triage is a dynamic environment in which large numbers of people can present. It presents a vulnerable assessment point, as a triage nurse must assess a patient's urgency level and analyse their health status and expected resource needs. Given the critical nature of triage, it is necessary to understand the factors contributing to patient safety. OBJECTIVES: To identify and examine the factors contributing to patient safety during the triage process. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken, and a thematic analysis of the factors contributing to patient safety during the triage process. PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Sciences, Science Direct, SAGE, EMBASE and reference lists of relevant studies published in English until March 2022 were searched for relevant studies. The search protocol has been registered at the PROSPERO (CRD42019146616), and the review was conducted using the PRISMA criteria. RESULTS: Out of 5366 records, we included 11 papers for thematic synthesis. Identified factors contributing to patient safety in triage are related to the emergency's work environment, such as patient assessment, high workload, frequent interruptions and staffing, and personal factors such as nurse traits, experience, knowledge, triage fatigue and work schedule. CONCLUSIONS: This review shows that patient safety is influenced by the attitude, capabilities and experiences of triage nurses, the time when nurses can dedicate themselves to the patient and triage the patient without disruption. It is necessary to raise awareness among nursing administrators and healthcare professionals to provide a safe triage environment for patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This review highlights the evidence on the factors contributing to patient safety in the triage process. Further research is needed for this cohort of triage nurses in the emergency department concerning ensuring patient safety. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution was required to design or undertake this review.

Association between triage nurses' job satisfaction and professional capability: Results of a mixed-method study.

AIM: This study aims to examine factors related to the job satisfaction of triaging nurses and their professional capability in the clinical setting. BACKGROUND: Triage is a complex process that relies on making decisions in favour of the patient and his treatment. The professional capability of a triaging nurse is an important psychological construct of job satisfaction. METHODS: The study used a mixed-method methodology, with data collection based on an explanatory research design. The research instrument in the quantitative part was a survey questionnaire, and in the qualitative part, a semi-structured interview. The results were integrated using the 'Pillar Integration Process'. RESULTS: There are significant relationships between professional capability and job satisfaction. Six main topics were exposed: characteristics and traits, work organization, safety is the key, burdening circumstances, capability and self-evaluation. CONCLUSION: Professional capability is associated with job satisfaction. The necessary managerial changes should be made to achieve job satisfaction and develop professional competence while focusing on already trained and competent triage nurses, as satisfied triage nurses will stay longer in the institution. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The manager's job is to be aware of the level of job satisfaction, take care to develop their employee's professional capability and take action in case of disrupted balance.

Prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in women with gestational diabetes: a longitudinal cohort study.

AIMS: Prevalence of mental disorders in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is not well defined; however, their presence could interfere with effective glucose self-management. Therefore, we aimed to assess the incidence of depression and anxiety symptoms in women with GDM in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy and their impact on glycemic control. METHODS: We included consecutive women undergoing the GDM screening test at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. Women with GDM (n = 77) and women without GDM (n = 103) completed questionnaires on depression and anxiety symptomatology, health locus of control and social support. RESULTS: The incidence of depression symptoms in the 2nd trimester is higher in women with GDM (23.4%) than in women without GDM (10.7%; p = 0.022; OR = 2.6). The incidence of depression and anxiety symptomatology did not change significantly from 2nd to 3rd trimester within both groups; however, an increase in the average severity of depression symptomatology was observed. Glycemic control was negatively associated with the external health locus of control. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the need for depression screening early on during pregnancy, especially in women with GDM. Timely psychological support may contribute to better GDM management and possibly prevent negative pregnancy outcomes.

Tissue adhesives for peripheral intravenous catheter securement: A prospective randomized controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: In some patients securing the peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC) with a standard adhesive dressing can be difficult because of sweat or other body fluids. The aim of our study was to evaluate the use of tissue adhesives alone as a means to secure PIVCs inserted in the emergency department. METHODS: We performed a prospective interventional pilot study from November 2019 to May 2020 in a medical emergency department of an urban tertiary hospital. Patients were randomized to two groups: tissue adhesives (TA) or adhesive dressing (AD) group. After randomization we followed them until day 4. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between TA and AD groups in the rate of unplanned removal of PIVCs in the first 72 h (57.1% vs. 45.8%, p = 0.29), the rate of unplanned removal of PIVCs in the ED (0% vs. 2.1%, p = 1.00), the rate of unplanned removal of PIVC in the first 24 h (42.8% vs. 35.4%, p = 0.52), as well as in the rate of phlebitis (7.1% vs. 14.6%, p = 0.34) and the rate of any blood-stream infection (0% vs. 0%, p = 1.00). CONCLUSION: We did not observe any significant differences when PIVCs inserted in the emergency department were secured with tissue adhesives alone, compared to standard adhesive dressings. We observed a high rate of unplanned removal of PIVCs, necessitating further research to determine more reliable ways of securing PIVCs.