Individual Attributes and Environmental Conditions of Registered Nurses Working in Freestanding Emergency Departments in the United States: A Descriptive Exploratory Study.
J Emerg Nurs
; 50(3): 381-391.e2, 2024 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38506784
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs) are emergency facilities not connected to inpatient services. The percentage of FSEDs of all EDs grew from 1% in 2001 to 12% in 2017, making FSEDs a substantial subset of US emergency care. The purpose of this study was to describe the individual attributes and environmental conditions of registered nurses working in FSEDs in the US.METHODS:
A quantitative descriptive exploratory design with cross-sectional survey methodology.RESULTS:
A total of 364 emergency nurses responded to the survey. Most reported their FSED was open 24 hours/day (99.5%), with board-certified emergency physicians onsite (91.5%) and a mean of 3.6 RNs working per shift. Resources immediately available in more than 50% of FSEDs included laboratory and imaging services, and in fewer than 30% of FSEDs included behavioral health care, MRI, obstetric care, orthopedic care, neurologic care, and surgical consult care. Respiratory therapy was reported by 39.6% of respondents as being immediately available. A significant minority of respondents expressed concerns about adequacy of resources and training and the effect on patient care in both survey (30% of respondents) and open-ended questions (42.5% of respondents).DISCUSSION:
The practice environment of emergency nurses in FSEDs was reported as having positive elements; however, a substantial subpopulation reported serious concerns. FSEDs adhere to some of the standards put forward by the American College of Emergency Physicians, with notable exceptions in the areas of staffing RNs, staffing ancillary staff, and availability of some resources.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Enfermagem em Emergência
/
Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Emerg Nurs
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article