Digitalising Coordination Information in Long-Term Care: Experiences from an Innovation Project.

More patients are being discharged early from hospital and increasing numbers of patients have complex health care needs and receive care in the primary health care sector. To ensure efficient coordination and continuity of care, access to relevant information is crucial. We report from two Norwegian municipalities that, during an innovation project, transferred their information system from a paper-based to a digital coordination system. Workshops and interviews were conducted to address the considerations, reflections and dilemmas of the actors involved during the innovation process. The analysis provided three main themes which were: 1) transition from paper-based to digital overviews; 2) transition from individual patient information to a digital overview of groups of patients; and 3) transition from use of telephone to digital exchange of information. The actors had to overcome several challenges. Nevertheless, the outcome was that they were provided with contextualised information enabling efficiency and patient safety in their coordination work.

Perceived Causes of Work-Related Sick Leave Among Hospital Nurses in Norway: A Prepandemic Study.

Background: Although sick leave is a complex phenomenon, it is believed that there is potential for prevention at the workplace. However, little is known about this potential and what specific measures should be implemented. The purpose of the study was to identify perceived reasons to take work-related sick leave and to suggest preventive measures. The study was completed before the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, and the risk factors identified may have been amplified during the pandemic. Methods: An in-depth cross-sectional survey was conducted across a randomly selected sample of hospital nurses in Norway. The national sample comprised 1,297 nurses who participated in a survey about their sick leave during the previous 6 months. An open-ended question about perceived reasons for work-related sick leave was included to gather qualitative information. Results: Among hospital nurses, 27% of the last occurring sick leave incidents were perceived to be work-related. The most common reasons were high physical workload, high work pace, sleep problems, catching a viral or bacterial infection from patients or colleagues, and low staffing. Conclusions: Over a quarter of the last occurring sick leave incidents among Norwegian hospital nurses are potentially preventable. To retain and optimize scarce hospital nursing resources, strategies to reduce work-related sick leave may provide human and financial benefits. Preventive measures may include careful monitoring of nurses' workload and pace, optimizing work schedules to reduce the risk of sleep problems, and increasing staffing to prevent stress and work overload.