Nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to practice hospice care: An analysis of influencing factors.

BACKGROUND: Hospice care is a multidisciplinary approach that focused on patients' quality of life, and nurses allocate more of their time with patients and patients' families than those nurses working in other disciplines. Nurses' knowledge of and attitudes toward hospice care can affect the quality of hospice care. At present, China's hospice care institutions are suffering from an obvious shortage of nursing staff. Since clinical nurses are the main force behind the future provision of hospice care, their knowledge of, attitudes and willingness to practice can greatly promoted the growth of hospice care, however, available data on clinical nurses' willingness to practice hospice care are limited. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed to collect data from 1833 nurses working in tertiary or secondary general hospitals in Guangxi, China. We examined nurses' demographic characteristics and scores on the Chinese version of the hospice care knowledge scale, the Chinese version of the Bradley Attitude Assessment Questionnaire, and a brief quiz concerning their willingness to practice hospice care in the future. Descriptive, single factor, multiple regression analyses and logistic regression analyses were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Nurses displayed moderate mean scores for both knowledge of and attitudes, and only 505 (27.5%) nurses expressed their willingness to practice hospice care, 1329 (72.5%) of nurses sampled expressed their unwillingness or uncertainty. Multivariate regression analyses showed that education, professional qualification, monthly income, whether they had been trained in hospice care, and willingness to practice hospice care were the main influencing factors of knowledge; education, whether they lived with someone aged >60 years, and whether they had been trained in hospice care were main factors influencing attitudes. Additionally, logistic regression analyses showed that hospice care knowledge, whether they had been trained in hospice care, and whether they had clinical experience affected the nurses' willingness to practice hospice care. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted a knowledge gap and moderate attitudes toward hospice care among nurses, and most nurses did not prefer to practice hospice care. Having been trained in hospice care was the main common factor of nurses' knowledge of, attitudes toward, and willingness to practice hospice care in the future, indicating the necessity to provide nurses with more targeted hospice care training.

The Association between Nursing Skill Mix and Mortality for Adult Medical and Surgical Patients: Protocol for a Systematic Review.

Skill mix refers to the number and educational experience of nurses working in clinical settings. Authors have used several measures to determine the skill mix, which includes nurse-to-patient ratio and the proportion of baccalaureate-prepared nurses. Observational studies have tested the association between nursing skill mix and patient outcomes (mortality). To date, this body of research has not been subject to systematic review or meta-analysis. The aim of this study is to systematically review and meta-analyse observational and experimental research that tests the association between nursing skill mix and patient mortality in medical and surgical settings. We will search four key electronic databases-MEDLINE [OVID], EMBASE [OVID], CINAHL [EBSCOhost], and ProQuest Central (five databases)-from inception. Title, abstract, and full-text screening will be undertaken independently by at least two researchers using COVIDENCE review management software. We will include studies where the authors report an association between nursing skill mix and outcomes in adult medical and surgical inpatients. Extracted data from included studies will consist measures of nursing skill mix and inpatient mortality outcomes. A meta-analysis will be undertaken if there are at least two studies with similar designs, exposures, and outcomes. The findings will inform future research and workforce planning in health systems internationally.

Creating Microclimates of Change: Transparency in Disseminating Nursing Quality Performance Data.

OBJECTIVES: Study objectives were to: 1) explore how nursing care quality data (NCQD) was understood and interpreted; and 2) identify, compare, and contrast individual and group responses. BACKGROUND: Little evidence exists on how to best disseminate NCQD information. This study explores the outcomes of implementing an NCQD and human-interest information slide show across an inpatient surgery nursing service line using electronic screens. METHODS: Methods included semistructured interviews, qualitative analysis, and diagramming. RESULTS: The human-interest content most often attracted viewers' attention, but they were also exposed to NCQD. Interpretations and understandings differed among groups and between individuals. Among staff members, the human-interest content facilitated team-building, whereas NCQD provided meaningful recognition. Nursing care quality data evidenced the efforts that were being made to improve and provide excellent patient care. CONCLUSIONS: Using innovative dissemination methods can enhance understanding of NCQD among clinical providers. Creating microclimates of change and innovation within complex healthcare environments can benefit staff members and patients.

Call Bell Usage: Tracking the Effect of Hourly Staff Rounding.

Hourly rounding by nursing staff helps to proactively manage patient needs and minimize the number of unscheduled calls from patients. The focus of this study was to determine if an increased emphasis on hourly rounding had an effect on call bell usage on an oncology unit. Patient call bell usage requests, such as asking for water or repositioning, and the total number of all alarms, such as bed exit alarms and lavatory assist alarms, decreased. Subsequent patient satisfaction surveys showed an increase in patient perception of how quickly help was received.

Nursing documentation for chemotherapy in a university hospital's bone marrow transplant unit: a best practice implementation project.

AIM: The aim of this evidence implementation project was to improve the documentation of chemotherapy administration by nursing staff in a bone marrow transplant unit, to improve patient care and safety, as well as meet the legal and educational responsibilities of the nursing staff. METHODS: This evidence implementation project used the Joanna Briggs Institute's Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and Getting Research into Practice audit and feedback framework for the design and development of an evidence-based audit and feedback change project. A baseline audit was conducted to assess current practices against best practice and identify areas requiring improvement. Next, the project team reflected on the results of the audit to develop and implement strategies for documentation improvement. Lastly, a follow-up audit was conducted to assess changes in practice improvement. RESULTS: The baseline audit results revealed practice areas requiring improvement; facilitators of and barriers to nursing documentation and practice improvement were identified. A checklist, educational session, Nursing Documentation Guidelines for Chemotherapy Administration, was implemented to improve nursing documentation. The follow-up audit demonstrated improved adherence across all audit criteria. CONCLUSION: The checklist implemented for nursing documentation and education contributed to improved practices. To promote additional improvements, nurses will continue to utilize the tools developed and receive continued education through formal training and staff meetings. Future auditing is planned to ensure sustainability.

The Oncology Nursing Specialty.

The oncology nursing specialty seeks to reduce the risks, incidence, and burden of cancer by encouraging healthy lifestyles, promoting early detection, improving the management of cancer symptoms and side effects throughout the disease trajectory, and leading the coordination of complex care needs.

Clinical assessment of emotions in patients with cancer: Diagnostic accuracy compared with two reference standards.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has suggested that clinical assessment of emotions in patients with cancer is suboptimal. However, it is a possibility that well-trained and experienced doctors and nurses do recognize emotions but that they do not evaluate all emotions as necessitating professional mental health care. This implies that the sensitivity of clinical assessment should be tested against the need for professional mental health care as reference standard, instead of emotional distress. We hypothesized that the observed sensitivity of clinical assessment of emotions would be higher when tested against need for professional mental health care as reference standard, compared with emotional distress as reference standard. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of patients starting with chemotherapy were recruited during their routine clinical care, at a department of medical oncology. Clinical assessment of emotions by medical oncologists and nurses was derived from the patient file. Emotional distress and need for professional mental health care were assessed using the Distress Thermometer and Problem List. RESULTS: Clinical assessment resulted in notes on emotions in 42.2% of the patient files with 36.2% of patients experiencing emotional distress and 10.8% expressing a need for professional mental health care (N = 185). As expected, the sensitivity of clinical assessment of emotions was higher with the reference standard "need for professional mental health care" compared with "emotional distress" (P < .001). For specificity, equivalent results were obtained with the two reference standards (P = .63). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical assessment of emotions in patients with cancer may be more accurate than previously concluded.

Leading Change in Nurse Bedside Shift Report.

Nurse bedside shift report (NBSR) focuses on patient-centered care, and implementing the change starts with buy-in from management and a strong educational platform. Based on that platform, nurse champions grow to help foster education to their peers. Education and tools were provided to Registered Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants. The pilot was implemented in 2 phases onto the Medical Oncology unit, and an incentive program ran concurrently. A prepilot revealed the following projected barriers: time to complete NBSR, concerns with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, attending to patient needs, and being able to perform NBSR.

Patients' experiences of nurses' heartfelt hospitality as caring: A qualitative approach.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To answer the question "What is the lived experience of hospitality during a patient's hospital stay for elective surgery?" BACKGROUND: Hospitality centres on a host offering comfort to others, as in a personal care context. Caring constitutes the essence of what it is to be human, having a profound effect on well-being and recovery from surgery. Caring is one of the most elusive and diversely contested concepts in nursing; however, care provided by nurses seldom transcends as deep human connections and social utility. This study explored the nature, meaning and experience of hospitality as care from the perspective of elective surgery patients. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative criteria were used. DESIGN: A hermeneutic phenomenological methodology. METHODS: Data were gathered through semi-structured, face to face interviews with seven patients from both private and public hospitals, and from different cultural backgrounds. RESULTS: Three interpretative notions were as follows: experiences of hospitality as feeling "really" cared for, being at ease and being healed. Hospitality exists in the receiver's lived experience, evoking a special moment which leads to feelings of great comfort and feelings of being truly cared about. When hospitality is received, patients feel a connection; they begin to trust and their healing begins. CONCLUSION: The offering of often small, yet heartfelt acts of hospitality, indicated that nurses can evoke powerful lived experiences which benefit patients undergoing elective surgery. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The importance of prioritising emotional and social connections to the hospitality experience needs emphasis at all levels of the clinical structure. Hospitality as caring needs to form a part of all undergraduate and postgraduate nursing curricula, and ongoing professional development. The participant quotes presented in this article could form exemplars for the provision of hospitable nursing care practices, highlighting nurses getting to know and understand their patients, and being interested in their lives.

ONS Staffing Position Statement: Ambulatory Treatment Centers.

Appropriate nurse staffing levels contribute to the delivery of safe quality care and optimal patient outcomes. However, developing nurse staffing models, particularly in the ambulatory setting, is an ongoing challenge. Within this position statement, the term ambulatory setting includes infusion centers that provide treatment to patients with cancer, including non-chemotherapy treatment centers (e.g., blood products) and radiation therapy treatment centers. These settings share commonalities, including rapid turnover of patients and the administration of some type of treatment or intervention. Nurse staffing refers to the clinical nurses in the setting and does not include advanced practice nurses or nurses in other roles.

Role and skills of the oncology nurse: an observational study.

PURPOSE: The importance of nursing competence arises from its central role in influencing and determining care outcomes. The employment of adequately educated staff, able to base clinical decisions on the best scientific evidence, is one of the components required for delivering high quality nursing care in the oncological field. The aim of this study is to analyze - through the Nurse Competence Scale - the level of competence of nurses working in oncological settings. METHOD: A descriptive study was performed between March and September 2017. The participants were recruited among the nursing staff working in the Day Hospital and the Units of the IRCCS -Regina Elena National Cancer Institute in Rome. The confidentiality and the anonymity of the subjects involved in the study were guaranteed by submitting a socio-cultural data sheet -specifically designed to collect demographic and education data - and the Nurse Competence Scale. RESULTS: The sample included 65 nurses (93%) and 5 head nurses (7%), with a mean age of 41.8 years, predominantly female (80%), who had been working in oncology units for a mean of 17.2 years. The Nurse Competence Scale showed a high level of competence in all dimensions. Moreover, the Chi-Square test allowed to identify the presence of significant associations between the different dimensions of the Nurse Competence Scale and the work experience >15 years and the age > 40 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that, even if lacking specific oncology competence, nurses working in oncology care settings have developed a good level of clinical competences. Highlighting the importance of nursing care in the oncology area will increase the demand of both patients and organizations of high quality nursing care, consequently enhancing the nursing profession.

Quality of Nurses' Communication with Mechanically Ventilated Patients in a Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the quality of the relationship between nurses and patients under mechanical ventilation. METHODS: This observational study, performed in a cardiac surgery intensive care unit in Iran, selected 10 nurses and 35 patients through simple random and convenience sampling, respectively. One of the researchers observed 175 communications between nurses and patients in different work shifts and recorded the results according to a checklist. Nurse and patient satisfaction with the communication was assessed by using a six-item Likert scale, 8 to 12 h after extubation. RESULTS: Most of the patients were male (77.1%), while most of the nurses were female (60%). Patients started over 75% of the communications observed. The content of the communication was related mostly to physical needs and pain. Besides, the majority of patients used purposeful stares and hand gestures, and head nod for communication. Most of the communications between patients and nurses were satisfied 'very low' (45.7% in nurses, versus 54.3% in patients). However, 'complete satisfaction' was lower in nurses (0%), compared with patients (5.7%). No statistically significant correlation was found between patients' and nurses' satisfaction and demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that communication between nurses and mechanically ventilated patients was built through traditional methods and was based on the patients' requests. This issue might be the cause of an undesirable level of their satisfaction with the communication, given that effective communication can lead to understanding and meeting the needs of the patients.

The Value of Magnet® Recognition for Specialty Hospitals.

Now in its 29th year, the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program stands as the premier international acknowledgment of nursing excellence in healthcare organizations around the world. The program's applicability in general hospitals, community hospitals, and academic medical centers is established, but what about specialty hospitals? In this month's Magnet Perspectives, nursing leaders from 3 specialty sectors, rehabilitation hospitals, cancer hospitals, and children's hospitals, discuss the ways in which the Magnet framework enriches the practice environment and promotes outstanding nurse and patient outcomes. Insights are shared about how the Magnet journey provides the foundation to address current challenges in healthcare, including nurse staffing shortages, burnout, unit effectiveness, safety and quality imperatives, patient experience, and more.

Inspire Certification Among Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses.

Professional certification validates nurses' knowledge and expertise in their specialty. In support of professional development, nursing excellence as a Magnet® designated hospital, and commitment to improve patient outcomes, increasing the number of certified pediatric hematology oncology nurses at Children's Hospital Los Angeles is a priority. Expert certified nurses and educators assessed current staff nurse perceptions of and motivations for becoming certified. A nurse survey was completed, and the results identified barriers to certification and the need for an onsite review course to encourage more nurses to take the Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON®) exam. The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) CPHON® test blueprint guided the development of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles review course curriculum. Certified nurse experts volunteered as course instructors to present an overview of pediatric cancer, pediatric hematology, psychosocial review, chemotherapy and related medications, and long-term effects. In addition to course didactics, interactive learning sessions were included to allow participants to question, discuss, and apply new knowledge. Sample test questions were provided to each participant for independent study post-course attendance. Each participant completed course evaluations to measure the usefulness of the content, environment, and teaching methods. Since the implementation of this course, the overall number of certified hematology oncology nurses has increased by 15.3%.

Moral Distress Assessment in the Nursing Team of a Hematology-Oncology Sector.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency and intensity of Moral Distress, and to analyze the associations between Moral Distress and sociodemographic and labor characteristics of the nursing team of a Hematology-Oncology. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 46 nursing professionals from a Hematology-Oncology sector of a hospital institution in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, through the application of the Moral Distress Scale - Brazilian version. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics and nonparametric association tests were used. RESULTS: Mortal Distress intensity of 3.27 (SD= 1.79) and frequency of 1.72 (SD= 1.02) were found in this team. The Moral Distress of greater intensity and frequency were related to the denial of the role of Nursing as a patient's advocate and the disrespect to the patient's autonomy, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is suggested a greater space for discussion among professionals, multiprofessional team and managers, so that adequate conditions of action and communication are provided.

Successful Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Chemotherapy Efficiency Initiative at a Community Hospital.

PURPOSE: Long wait times at chemotherapy infusion centers adversely affect patients' perception of quality of care and result in patient dissatisfaction. We conducted a quality improvement initiative at a busy community hospital to improve infusion center efficiency and reduce patient wait time, while maintaining patient safety and avoiding chemotherapy waste. METHODS: We used a coordinated and collaborative effort between providers, infusion center nurses, and pharmacists to ensure completion of orders, review of laboratory data, and prepreparation of chemotherapy 1 day ahead of each patient's scheduled infusion center appointment. Monthly Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were conducted for 6 months beyond the pilot month to refine and sustain the intervention. RESULTS: The average patient cycle time, measured as time from patient check-in to check-out from the infusion chair, decreased from 252 minutes to 173 minutes in the last 4 months evaluated (30% decrease) after the intervention. Similarly, the average chemotherapy turnaround time, measured as time from chemotherapy request by nursing to pharmacy delivery, improved from 90 minutes to 27 minutes after the intervention (70% decrease). Infusion center capacity was unaffected by the intervention. The cost of wasted chemotherapy was minimal after the first postintervention month. Surveys revealed extremely high patient and employee satisfaction with the new system. CONCLUSION: A strategy involving prepreparation of chemotherapy on the day before the scheduled infusion is feasible to implement at a busy community hospital infusion center and is associated with significant improvement in infusion center efficiency as well as patient and employee satisfaction.

Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Psychopharmacology.

Palliative care (PC) providers often prescribe psychotropic medications to address psychological and physical suffering of patients with serious medical illness. Consideration must be given to the significant medical comorbidities of the patient when selecting a medication. This article seeks to provide guidance on how to safely and effectively select a psychotropic agent for depression, anxiety, and other distressing symptoms for patients with serious illness. To do so, we draw upon a team of physicians and a pharmacist with training in psychiatry and PC to highlight the "Top 10" tips for selecting a psychotropic medication to provide relief for patients with serious medical illness.

Moral Distress Assessment in the Nursing Team of a Hematology-Oncology Sector / Evaluación del Sufrimiento Moral en el equipo de enfermería de un sector de Hemato-Oncología / Avaliação do Sofrimento Moral na equipe de enfermagem de um setor de Hemato-Oncologia

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the frequency and intensity of Moral Distress, and to analyze the associations between Moral Distress and sociodemographic and labor characteristics of the nursing team of a Hematology-Oncology. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 46 nursing professionals from a Hematology-Oncology sector of a hospital institution in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, through the application of the Moral Distress Scale - Brazilian version. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics and nonparametric association tests were used. Results: Mortal Distress intensity of 3.27 (SD= 1.79) and frequency of 1.72 (SD= 1.02) were found in this team. The Moral Distress of greater intensity and frequency were related to the denial of the role of Nursing as a patient's advocate and the disrespect to the patient's autonomy, respectively. Conclusion: It is suggested a greater space for discussion among professionals, multiprofessional team and managers, so that adequate conditions of action and communication are provided.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar la frecuencia e intensidad del Sufrimiento Moral y analizar las asociaciones entre el Sufrimiento Moral y las características sociodemográficas y laborales del equipo de enfermería de un sector de Hemato-Oncología. Método: Estudio transversal, realizado con 46 profesionales de enfermería de un sector de Hemato-Oncología de una institución hospitalaria de Rio Grande do Sul, por medio de la aplicación de la escala Moral Distress Scale - Versión brasileña. Se empleó, en el análisis de los datos, estadística descriptiva y pruebas de asociación no paramétricas. Resultados: Se verificó una media de intensidad del Sufrimiento Moral de 3,27 (DP = 1,79) y la frecuencia de 1,72 (DP = 1,02) en ese equipo. El Sufrimiento Moral de mayor intensidad y frecuencia fueron referentes a la negación del papel de la enfermería como abogada del paciente y el irrespeto a la autonomía del paciente, respectivamente. Conclusión: Se sugiere mayor espacio de discusión entre profesionales, equipo multiprofesional y jefaturas, para que sean proporcionadas adecuadas condiciones de actuación y comunicación.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar a frequência e intensidade do Sofrimento Moral, e analisar as associações entre Sofrimento Moral e características sociodemográficas e laborais da equipe de enfermagem de um setor de Hemato-Oncologia. Método: Estudo transversal, realizado com 46 profissionais de enfermagem de um setor de Hemato-Oncologia de uma instituição hospitalar do Rio Grande do Sul, por meio da aplicação da escala Moral Distress Scale - Versão brasileira. Empregou-se, na análise dos dados, estatística descritiva e testes de associação não paramétricos. Resultados: Verificou-se média de intensidade do Sofrimento Moral de 3,27 (DP = 1,79) e frequência de 1,72 (DP = 1,02) nessa equipe. O Sofrimento Moral de maior intensidade e frequência foram referentes à negação do papel da Enfermagem como advogada do paciente e o desrespeito à autonomia do paciente, respectivamente. Conclusões: Sugere-se maior espaço de discussão entre profissionais, equipe multiprofissional e chefias, para que sejam proporcionadas adequadas condições de atuação e comunicação.