Ensuring Throughput: Development and Validation of Charge Nurse Competencies for United States Emergency Care Settings.

INTRODUCTION: Charge nurses are shift leaders whose role includes managing nursing resources and facilitating appropriate patient care; in emergency departments, the charge nurse role requires both clinical and leadership skills to facilitate the flow of patients, while ensuring patient and staff safety. Literature on orientation and specific training is notably sparse. This study aimed to evaluate the content and process of core competency training and identify evaluation and implementation strategies necessary to improve charge nurse performance in United States emergency departments. METHODS: A modified Delphi technique was used in phase 1 and a qualitative content analysis method was used in phase 2 to address specific aims of the study. RESULTS: In total, 427 emergency nurse managers, directors, educators, and charge nurses responded to the initial survey to identify elements, teaching modalities, and evaluative processes; 22 participated in 1 of 2 focus groups to provide further information about the pedagogical approaches to teaching emergency charge nurse competencies. The top 5 competencies were identified as patient flow management, communication, situational awareness, clinical decision making, and nurse-patient assignment, with understanding that each competency overlapped significantly with the others. Low-fidelity simulation and gamification were identified as a preferred method of both training and evaluation. DISCUSSION: These findings have the potential to support a standardized approach to emergency charge nurse training and evaluation focusing on communication skills, clinical decision making, and situational awareness to facilitate safe and effective nurse-patient assignment and emergency department throughput.

Individual Attributes and Environmental Conditions of Registered Nurses Working in Freestanding Emergency Departments in the United States: A Descriptive Exploratory Study.

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.

Frailty assessment tools in the emergency department: A geriatric emergency department guidelines 2.0 scoping review.

Objective: Given the aging population and growing burden of frailty, we conducted this scoping review to describe the available literature regarding the use and impact of frailty assessment tools in the assessment and care of emergency department (ED) patients older than 60 years. Methods: A search was made of the available literature using the Covidence system using various search terms. Inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed literature focusing on frailty screening tools used for a geriatric population (60+ years of age) presenting to EDs. An additional search of PubMed, EBSCO, and CINAHL for articles published in the last 5 years was conducted toward the end of the review process (January 2023) to search specifically for literature describing interventions for frailty, yielding additional articles for review. Exclusion criteria comprised articles focusing on an age category other than geriatric and care environments outside the emergency care setting. Results: A total of 135 articles were screened for inclusion and 48 duplicates were removed. Of the 87 remaining articles, 20 were deemed irrelevant, leaving 67 articles for full-text review. Twenty-eight were excluded for not meeting inclusion criteria, leaving 39 full-text studies. Use of frailty screening tools were reported in the triage, care, and discharge decision-making phases of the ED care trajectory, with varying reports of usefulness for clinical decision-making. Conclusion: The literature reports tools, scales, and instruments for identifying frailty in older patients at ED triage; multiple frailty scores or tools exist with varying levels of utilization. Interventions for frailty directed at the ED environment were scant. Further research is needed to determine the usefulness of frailty identification in the context of emergency care, the effects of care delivery interventions or educational initiatives for front-line medical professionals on patient-oriented outcomes, and to ensure these initiatives are acceptable for patients.

The Relationship Between Accurate Triage and Core Measures Compliance for Acute Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure in Older Adults Presenting to the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Accurate emergency department (ED) triage in the geriatric population is an important nurse-sensitive quality indicator; however, few quality indicators are verified for impact. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between triage accuracy in adults older than 65 years and Core Measures for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure (HF). METHODS: A correlational approach was used to determine strength and direction of the relationship between variables. RESULTS: Strong positive correlations were found between triage accuracy and mortality for AMI and HF, as well as with 30-day hospital readmissions for AMI. A weak negative correlation was found between triage accuracy and 30-day hospital readmissions for HF. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate triage can lead to a more effective care trajectory for patients, better adherence to Core Measures, and better outcomes. Accuracy in triage for AMI and HF is a valid indicator of ED quality care.

PKC regulates αKlotho gene expression in MDCK and NRK-52E cells.

Particularly expressed in the kidney, αKlotho is a transmembrane protein that acts together with bone hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) to regulate renal phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis. Soluble Klotho (sKL) is released from the transmembrane form and controls various cellular functions as a paracrine and endocrine factor. αKlotho deficiency accelerates aging, whereas its overexpression favors longevity. Higher αKlotho abundance confers a better prognosis in cardiovascular and renal disease owing to anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, or antioxidant effects and tumor suppression. Serine/threonine protein kinase C (PKC) is ubiquitously expressed, affects several cellular responses, and is also implicated in heart or kidney disease as well as cancer. We explored whether PKC is a regulator of αKlotho. Experiments were performed in renal MDCK or NRK-52E cells and PKC isoform and αKlotho expression determined by qRT-PCR and Western Blotting. In both cell lines, PKC activation with phorbol ester phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) downregulated, while PKC inhibitor staurosporine enhanced αKlotho mRNA abundance. Further experiments with PKC inhibitor Gö6976 and RNA interference suggested that PKCγ is the major isoform for the regulation of αKlotho gene expression in the two cell lines. In conclusion, PKC is a negative regulator of αKlotho gene expression, an effect which may be relevant for the unfavorable effect of PKC on heart or kidney disease and tumorigenesis.

The Effect of Mandatory Triage Questions on Triage Processes: A Qualitative Exploratory Study.

INTRODUCTION: The study purpose was to obtain an understanding of both the types of questions mandated for the triage encounter in emergency departments across the United States and how emergency nurses perceive the relevance of these questions to the triage process. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive exploratory study using focus group data was used. Data were collected at an in-person emergency nursing conference held in September 2022. Data were analyzed using Mayring's 8-step process. RESULTS: Participants (n = 35) voiced concerns about a lack of expertise at all points in the triage process. The overarching problem is reported as data required by regulatory agencies are conflated with triage assessment information. Participants in this study reported that the conflation of the triage assessment with regulatory compliance is causing significant issues in the ability of emergency nurses to appropriately evaluate patient presentations. Thematic categories were identified as who's assessing the patients? assessment or compliance? important questions, situationally important questions, questions asked before discharge, and the lack of emergency nurse input. DISCUSSION: The conflation of regulatory data collection with patient assessment at the initial triage encounter challenges the ability of the emergency nurse to rapidly and accurately identify patients at risk of deterioration. We recommend that initial triage processes encompass questions that focus on establishing the stability of the patient and the safety of the waiting room and include inquiry relevant to the patient presentation.

Emergency nurses' perceptions of the utility, adaptability and feasibility of the emergency nursing framework HIRAIDTM for practice change in US: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Patient assessment is a core component of nursing practice and underpins safe, high-quality patient care. HIRAIDTM, an evidence-informed emergency nursing framework, provides nurses with a structured approach to patient assessment and management post triage. In Australia, HIRAIDTM resulted in significant improvements to nurse-led communication and reduced adverse patient events. OBJECTIVES: First, to explore United States (US) emergency nurses' perceptions of the evidence-informed emergency nursing framework, HIRAIDTM; second, to determine factors that would influence the feasibility and adaptability of HIRAIDTM into nursing clinical practice in EDs within the US. METHODS: A cross-sectional cohort study using a survey method with a convenience sample was conducted. A 4-hour workshop introduced the HIRAIDTM framework and supporting evidence at the Emergency Nurses Association's (ENA) conference, Emergency Nursing 2022. Surveys were tested for face validity and collected information on nurse-nurse communication, self-efficacy, the practice environment and feedback on the HIRAIDTM framework. RESULTS: The workshop was attended by 48 emergency nurses from 17 US States and four countries. Most respondents reported that all emergency nurses should use the same standardised approach in the assessment of patients. However, the greatest barriers to change were a lack of staff and support from management. The most likely interventions reported to enable change were face-to-face education, the opportunity to ask questions and support in the clinical environment. CONCLUSION: HIRAIDTM is an acceptable and suitable emergency nursing framework for consideration in the US. Successful uptake will depend on training methods and organizational support. HIRAIDTM training should incorporate face-to-face interactive workshops.

What if It Were Me? A Qualitative Exploratory Study of Emergency Nurses' Clinical Decision Making Related to Obstetrical Emergencies in the Context of a Post-Roe Environment.

INTRODUCTION: Previous research describes a significant knowledge deficit in obstetrical care in emergency settings. In a post-Roe environment, additional medicolegal challenges are documented across the obstetrics and gynecology landscape, but an understudied care setting is the emergency department, where patients may present to a practice environment where there is limited or no obstetrical care available. It is unknown how emergency nurses make decisions around these types of presentations. The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical decision-making processes of emergency nurses in the care of patients with obstetrical emergencies in the context of limited or absent access to abortion care and the impact of those processes on patient care. METHODS: Qualitative exploratory approach using interview data (n = 13) and situational analysis was used. RESULTS: Situational mapping uncovered human elements comprised nurses, providers, pregnant people, and families; nonhuman elements comprised legislation, education, and legal understanding. Social worlds mapping included challenges of inexperience, conflict about clinical responsibility, uncertainty about the meaning of legislation, and passivity around implications for patient care. Positional mapping yielded both the overlapping discourses around the phenomenon of interest and the area of silence around abortion-limiting legislation. DISCUSSION: We found that emergency nurses in states with abortion care-limiting laws had significant self-reported deficits in both education and training around the management of obstetrical emergencies. In this sample, there was a surprising lack of awareness of care-limiting legislation and the clinical, ethical, and legal implications for both emergency care staff and for patients.

The impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on αKlotho in renal MDCK and HK-2 cells.

αKlotho is a transmembrane protein predominantly expressed in the kidney serving as a co-receptor for phosphate homeostasis-regulating hormone FGF23 and has an extracellular domain that can be cleaved off and is a hormone. αKlotho deficiency results in accelerated aging and early onset of aging-associated diseases while its overexpression strongly expands the lifespan of mice. Moreover, αKlotho exerts health-beneficial anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, anti-fibrotic, and anti-oxidant effects. Higher αKlotho levels are associated with better outcomes in renal and cardiovascular diseases. SGLT2 inhibitors are novel drugs in the treatment of diabetes by inhibiting renal glucose transport and have additional nephro- and cardioprotective effects. We explored whether SGLT2 inhibitors affect αKlotho gene expression and protein secretion. Experiments were performed in renal MDCK and HK-2 cells, and αKlotho transcripts were determined by qRT-PCR and Klotho protein by ELISA. SGLT2 inhibitors canagliflozin, sotagliflozin, and dapagliflozin enhanced whereas empagliflozin reduced αKlotho gene expression in MDCK cells. By the same token, canagliflozin, sotagliflozin, dapagliflozin, but not empagliflozin down-regulated p65 subunit of pro-inflammatory NFκB. In HK-2 cells, all SGLT2 inhibitors reduced αKlotho transcripts. Canagliflozin and sotagliflozin, however, increased Klotho protein concentration in the cell culture supernatant, an effect paralleled by up-regulation of ADAM17. Taken together, our investigations demonstrate complex effects of different SGLT2 inhibitors on αKlotho gene expression and protein secretion in renal MDCK and HK-2 cells.

Current Practice and Practice Competencies of Clinical Nurse Specialists Working in US Emergency Care Settings: A Survey Study.

PURPOSE/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the current practice of clinical nurse specialists working in US emergency care settings to (1) explicate the application of the Emergency Nurses Association core competencies and define the specialized clinical nurse specialist role in emergency care and (2) align current clinical nurse specialist practice in emergency settings with the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists core competencies and the identified substantive areas of clinical nurse specialist practice. DESIGN: This study used a quantitative exploratory descriptive approach using survey data. METHODS: A purposive convenience sample was recruited from the Emergency Nurses Association and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. Participants completed a 39-item survey based on a consensus process to develop competencies for emergency department (ED)-situated clinical nurse specialists. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 285) reported spending more than 50% of their work time in a primary clinical nurse specialist role. Significant differences in practice were found between geographic location, setting, educational preparation, title protection status, and type of institution. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that that the competencies ascribed to ED-situated clinical nurse specialists are valid in both frequency and importance. However, ED-situated clinical nurse specialists are not fully credentialed or practicing to the full extent of their education and licenses, because of professional, legislative, and environmental limitations.

The Impact of Cultural Embeddedness on the Implementation of an Artificial Intelligence Program at Triage: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Triage requires rapid determination of acuity and resources. Current modalities allow for individual judgment, with varied application of algorithmic rules. Although artificial intelligence can improve triage accuracy, gaps remain in understanding implementation facilitators and barriers, especially those related to the cultural understandings by nurses of emergency department presentations. The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural and technological elements of the implementation of an artificial intelligence clinical decision support aid (i.e., KATE) in an emergency nursing triage process in an urban community hospital on the West Coast of the United States. METHOD: An exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured small group and individual interviews and constant comparison analysis strategies. The sample comprised 13 emergency department triage nurses at one site. Campinha-Bacote's theory of cultural competence framed the study. RESULTS: Responses yielded the overall theme of We know these people and we know these things. Supporting categories included the problem of aire; just another checkbox; gut trumps data; higher acuity with no resources; and technology as a safety net. Participants reported reliance on clinical experience and cultural knowledge to assign acuity. DISCUSSION: The implementation of an artificial intelligence program was initially received skeptically due to the acontextual nature of AI, but grew to be perceived as a safety net for triage decision making among emergency nurses.

The Experiences of United States Emergency Nurses Related to Witnessed and Experienced Bias: A Mixed-Methods Study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to obtain a broad view of the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and lived experiences of emergency nurses regarding implicit and explicit bias. METHODS: An exploratory, descriptive, sequential mixed-methods approach using online surveys and focus groups to generate study data. Two validated instruments were incorporated into the survey to evaluate experiences of microaggression in the workplace and ethnocultural empathy. Focus group data were collected using Zoom meetings. RESULTS: The final sample comprised 1140 participants in the survey arm and 23 focus group participants. Significant differences were found in reported experiences of institutional, structural, and personal microaggressions for non-white vs white participants. Respondents who identified Christianity as their religious group had lower mean scores on items representing empathetic awareness. Respondents who identified as nonheterosexual had significantly higher mean total Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy scores, empathetic awareness subscale scores, and empathetic feeling and expression subscale scores. Thematic categories that arose from the focus group data included witnessed bias, experienced bias, responses to bias, impact of bias on care, and solutions. DISCUSSION: In both our survey and focus group data, we see evidence that racism and other forms of bias are threats to safe patient care. We challenge all emergency nurses and institutions to reflect on the implicit and explicit biases they hold and to engage in purposeful learning about the effects of individual and structural bias on patients and colleagues. We suggest an approach that favors structural analysis, intervention, and accountability.

Determining Clinical Judgment Among Emergency Nurses During a Complex Simulation.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical judgment is imperative for the emergency nurse caring for the acutely ill patients often seen in the emergency department. Without optimal clinical judgment in the emergency department, patients are at risk of medical errors and a failure to rescue. METHODS: A descriptive observational approach using the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric evaluated nurses during a task that required recognition of clinical signs of deterioration and appropriate clinical care for simulated patients. RESULTS: A total of 18 practicing emergency nurses completed only 44.6% of the patient assessments leading to low levels of clinical judgment throughout the simulation. Nurses expressed 4 levels of clinical judgment: exemplary (n = 1), accomplishing (n = 6), developing (n = 9), and beginning (n = 2). On average, nurses completed 69% of required tasks. DISCUSSION: Assessments were completed less than half the time, demonstrating a breakdown in the noticing phase of clinical judgment. The nurses shifted to task completion focus with minimal use of clinical judgment. As the nurses remained task oriented, several medication and medical errors were noted while caring for the simulated patients. Experience and education did not influence observed clinical judgment among the participants. Given the extreme demands placed on the emergency nurse, it cannot be assumed that nurses have developed or can use clinical judgment when caring for their patients. Time and training targeting clinical judgment are essential for emergency nurse development.

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Drug Safety Surveillance During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: On 4 February, 2020, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and on 27 March, 2020 declared circumstances existed to justify the authorization of the emergency use of drug and biological products (hereafter, "drugs") for COVID-19. At the outset of the pandemic with uncertainty relating to the virus, many drugs were being used to treat or prevent COVID-19, resulting in the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) need to initiate heightened surveillance across these drugs. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the FDA's approach to monitoring the safety of drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19 across multiple data sources and the subsequent actions taken by the FDA to protect public health. METHODS: The FDA conducted surveillance of adverse event and medication error data using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System, biomedical literature, FDA-American College of Medical Toxicology COVID-19 Toxicology Investigators Consortium Pharmacovigilance Project Sub-registry, and the American Association of Poison Control Centers National Poison Data System. RESULTS: From 4 February, 2020, through 31 January, 2022, we identified 22,944 unique adverse event cases worldwide and 1052 unique medication error cases domestically with drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19. These were from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (22,219), biomedical literature (1107), FDA-American College of Medical Toxicology COVID-19 Toxicology Investigator's Consortium Sub-registry (638), and the National Poison Data System (32), resulting in the detection of several important safety issues. CONCLUSIONS: Safety surveillance using near real-time data was critical during the COVID-19 pandemic because the FDA monitored an unprecedented number of drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19. Additionally, the pandemic prompted the FDA to accelerate innovation, forging new collaborations and leveraging data sources to conduct safety surveillance to respond to the pandemic.

"Nurses are every bit of the flow:" Emergency department nurses' conceptualization of patient flow management.

AIM: To validate and refine Benjamin and Jacelon's 2021 definition of patient flow management using the experience and knowledge of practicing emergency department nurses. BACKGROUND: Patient flow requires complex, real-time decision-making to match patients to limited resources and facilitate their movement through care processes. A literature-based concept analysis of patient flow management was first performed in 2021, but the voice of nurses is largely absent from existing patient flow research. DESIGN: This study employed an expanded concept analysis methodology, as articulated by Kathleen Cowles. DATA SOURCE: Focus groups of nine emergency nurses were conducted. RESULTS: Emergency nurses' conceptualization of patient flow management differs from the definition as it has emerged through patient flow literature. Patient flow management is a nurse-driven process that relies on nursing knowledge and the work of all emergency nurses, including bedside nurses. Emergency nurses perceive the ultimate goal of patient flow management to be the collective safety of patients, and they work to promote patient safety within their own scope of responsibility. CONCLUSION: Understanding patient flow management as a nurse-driven process emphasizes the importance of nurse training and capacity to effective patient flow. Future research should explore the role of emergency nurses as active directors, rather than passive components, of patient flow. More work is needed to investigate this complex nursing task.