Embracing diversity: measuring the impact of an international immersion learning experience on nursing students' cultural beliefs and values.

OBJECTIVES: An international Nursing Leadership Collaborative covened in Japan to hold a patient safety and quality workshop for nursing students from six countries. The purpose was to measure students' self reported beliefs reflecting sensitivity and openness to cultural diversity before and after the international experience. METHODS: A pre-post-test design was used and the Beliefs, Events, and Values Inventory was administered to international undergraduate and graduate nursing students. RESULTS: The group aggregate data analysis indicate that prior to the start of the workshop, the group presented itself as quite introspective and after the workshop the group reported being more sophisticated in making causal explanations about why the world works in the way it does. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing students experienced an expanded awareness of their beliefs and values that reflect a greater degree of intercultural sensitivity for acceptance of inclusivity and diversity after the experience.

Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of the Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire in Postoperative Patients.

The American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire and the subsequent revised version are the most frequently reported measures of the quality of pain management. However, the reliability and validity of the revised questionnaire have not been reported in Chinese patients. This study sought to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the revised questionnaire in postoperative patients in China. The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional psychometric study. The revised questionnaire was translated into Chinese according to international guidelines and then administered to participants. The patients' present, average, and worst pain intensity were evaluated in face-to-face interviews. The Pain Management Index was calculated according to the worst pain intensity and the classification of analgesic drugs used by the patients. The continuous items in the revised questionnaire demonstrated excellent construct validity and acceptable internal consistency reliability (0.732). Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the following subscales were acceptable: pain severity and sleep interference (0.773), activity interference (0.812), affective (0.824), and adverse effects (0.636); the exception was for the perception of pain care subscale (0.492). Patients with different anticipated pain management outcomes were differentiated as expected. Satisfaction could be predicted (31.3% of the variance) using subscales and items in the questionnaire. Although our evidence supports the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the revised questionnaire when tested with postoperative patients, further study is needed, especially on the subscale perception of pain care.

The globalization of the nursing workforce: Pulling the pieces together.

The "globalization" of health care creates an increasingly interconnected workforce spanning international boundaries, systems, structures, and processes to provide care to and improve the health of peoples around the world. Because nurses comprise a large sector of the global health workforce, they are called upon to provide a significant portion of nursing and health care and thus play an integral role in the global health care economy. To meet global health care needs, nurses often move within and among countries, creating challenges and opportunities for the profession, health care organizations, communities, and nations. Researchers, policy makers, and industry and academic leaders must, in turn, grapple with the impacts of globalization on the nursing and health care workforce. Through this special issue, several key areas for discussion are raised. Although far from exhaustive, our intent is to expand and stimulate intra- and interprofessional conversations raising awareness of the issues, uncover unanticipated consequences, and offer solutions for shaping the nursing and health care workforce of the future.

Second-order problem solving: Nurses' perspectives on learning from near misses.

OBJECTIVES: Near misses happen more frequently than actual errors, and highlight system vulnerabilities without causing any harm, thus provide a safe space for organizational learning. Second-order problem solving behavior offers a new perspective to better understand how nurses promote learning from near misses to improve organizational outcomes. This study aimed to explore frontline nurses' perspectives on using second-order problem solving behavior in learning from near misses to improve patient safety. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory study design was employed. This study was conducted in three tertiary hospitals in east China from June to November 2015. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 19 frontline nurses. Semi-structured interviews and a qualitative directed content analysis was undertaken using Crossan's 4I Framework of Organizational Learning as a coding framework. RESULTS: Second-order problem solving behavior, based on the 4I Framework of Organizational Learning, was referred to as being a leader in exposing near misses, pushing forward the cause analysis within limited capacity, balancing the active and passive role during improvement project, and promoting the continuous improvement with passion while feeling low-powered. CONCLUSIONS: 4I Framework of Organizational Learning can be an underlying guide to enrich frontline nurses' role in promoting organizations to learn from near misses. In this study, nurses displayed their pivotal role in organizational learning from near misses by using second-order problem solving. However, additional knowledge, skills, and support are needed to maximize the application of second-order problem solving behavior when near misses are recognized.

Comparison of Postoperative Pain Management Outcomes in the United States and China.

To compare pain management outcomes in postoperative patients from an American hospital and a Chinese hospital. A convenience sample of 244 patients in the United States and 268 patients in China with similar surgical sites completed the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire-Revised (APS-POQ-R) and the Pain Management Index (PMI) was calculated on their first postoperative day. Patients in the United States reported a higher score on the "perception of pain management" subscale of the APS-POQ-R and a higher proportion of adequate treatment as measured by the PMI (85.2% vs. 39.0%, p < .001). Patient education and degrees of pain relief predicted patient satisfaction with pain management (item in APS-POQ-R) in patients from both countries. A higher level of compliance with pain management guidelines has contributed to a higher level of perception in patients in the United States. Establishing procedure-specific protocols and clinical pathways may improve pain management outcomes for Chinese patients.

Postoperative pain management outcome in Chinese inpatients.

In the absence of pain management outcome reports representing mainland China, the purposes of this study were to describe the outcome of postoperative pain management and the relationship between patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes in an indigenous Chinese population. From a sample of 388 second-day-postoperative inpatients, 304 (78%) reported pain in the past 24 hours and were enrolled in the study. Mean ratings for pain were moderate to severe. Patients reported mild to moderate pain-related interference with mood and physical activities. There were significant differences on worst pain intensity and pain interference with daily activity in the past 24 hours for different types of surgery. Top-ranked nonpharmacologic methods for managing pain were tolerating pain, changing positions, and family support. As measured by the Pain Management Index, 60.2% of patients were inadequately treated for pain, yet patients reported high satisfaction with pain management. Patient satisfaction, however, was inversely and significantly correlated with pain intensity. Study results indicate a need for standardized policies and guidelines about pain management and education among providers and for patients and families to overcome the suboptimal pain outcomes among this Chinese population.

Education to bridge the quality gap: a case study approach.

Educators are challenged to integrate quality and safety concepts into nursing curricula, staff development, and continuing education. This article presents an unfolding case study simulation for urinary tract infection highlighting Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies.

The hidden error of mismanaged pain: a systems approach.

Undertreatment of pain resulting in physiological, psychosocial, and economic consequences continues despite targeted improvement approaches. Starck et al. propose a systems framework for study of pain management errors. This secondary analysis examined pain outcomes of hospitalized inpatients to determine factors predicting adequate pain management. Data were collected from 964 hospitalized adult patients in the southwestern United States. The American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire and a demographic and chart audit form were used to collect data. The Pain Management Index (PMI) was computed for all participants. Results revealed that 30% of patients were undertreated for pain, with 67.5% reporting severe worst pain ratings (7 on a 0-10 scale). Non-whites, the elderly, and women had significantly higher pain ratings and higher proportions of negative PMI scores. Logistic regression predicted adequate pain management based on analgesic rating, ethnicity, age, and educational level with 0.89 accuracy. The study findings support conceptualizing mismanagement of pain as a medical error. An intervention model describes the use of a systems approach to identify high risk patients and ensure effective pain management practices for all.

Working together in the neonatal intensive care unit: provider perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: To elicit healthcare provider perceptions of working together in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted focus groups to elicit descriptions of how providers work together. The groups included one each of transport nurses, staff nurses, residents, fellows, attending physicians and two multiple provider groups. To identify themes and their descriptive elements we performed qualitative data analysis. RESULTS: There were three to seven participants per group for a total sample of 36. Provider responses to questions about working together centered around three major themes: (1) Provider Characteristics; (2) Workplace Factors and; (3) Group Influences. Provider Characteristics were defined by personal attributes, reputation, and expertise. Workplace Factors included staffing, work organization, and work environment. Group Influences were described by communication and relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Providers in this NICU described three broad organizational and interpersonal factors that influence how they work together, yet no consistent descriptions of teams or teamwork were found. The organizational factors, often far removed from bedside, should be considered when evaluating how providers work together.

Changing acute pain management outcomes in surgical patients.

Patient outcome studies indicate that patients accept pain as part of hospitalization. The majority of hospitalized patients who report experiencing pain are recovering from surgical intervention. To achieve successful outcomes, a comprehensive multidisciplinary effort must begin preoperatively and continue through discharge. The perioperative period is an essential link in effective pain management, and perioperative nurses are key in helping direct the care of surgical patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. Pain relief and the patients satisfaction with care frequently are used to measure pain management outcomes. This article examines the results of a secondary analysis of a subset of surgical patients drawn from a larger data set that was collected during two studies in urban and rural hospitals. It focuses on two outcomes, namely characteristics of pain and patient satisfaction with pain management after surgery. These outcomes were measured using the American Pain Society patient outcome questionnaire and the pain management index. Correlational, descriptive, and regression analyses indicate that postoperative management of patients' pain in these studies was less than optimal. From this new understanding, strategies for effective pain management of surgical patients are recommended.