Dialysis nurse demand in Europe: an estimated prediction based on modelling.

Background: To estimate the projections of supply and demand for dialysis nurses (DNs) over 5 years in four European countries (France, Italy, Spain and the UK). Methods: This study modelled the nursing labour workforce across each jurisdiction by estimating the current nursing labour force, number of nursing graduates and the attrition rate. Results: France currently has the greatest demand for DNs (51 325 patients on dialysis), followed by Italy, the UK and Spain with 40 661, 30 301 and 28 007 patients on dialysis, respectively. The number of in-centre haemodialysis (HD) patients is expected to increase in the four countries, while the number of patients on home HD (HHD) or on peritoneal dialysis (PD) is expected to increase in the UK. Currently Italy has the greatest proportion of DNs (2.6%), followed by France (2.1%), Spain (1.7%) and the UK (1.5%). Estimation of the dialysis nursing staff growth rate over 5 years showed that the UK has the greatest estimated growth rate (6%), followed by Italy (2%), France (2%) and Spain (1%). Conclusions: Dialysis demand will increase in the coming years, which may exacerbate the DN shortage. Additionally, competencies and training requirements of DNs should be precisely defined. Finally, implementing and facilitating PD and HHD strategies would be helpful for patients, healthcare professionals and healthcare systems and can even help ease the DN shortage.

Empleo y resolución de la Gestión Enfermera de la Demanda en Cataluña / Use and resolution of Nurse Demand Management in Catalonia

Introducción: la gestión enfermera de la demanda (GED) es la atención a los problemas agudos leves liderada por la enfermera y llevada a cabo en los centros de atención primaria de Cataluña desde el 2009. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar el grado de implantación y resolución de la GED en los centros del Institut Català de la Salut. Métodos: estudio observacional descriptivo transversal. El ámbito de estudio ha sido el de atención primaria del Institut Català de la Salut de Cataluña. Análisis de datos secundarios. Los datos han sido extraídos de la plataforma Longview. Las variables de estudio han sido en cuanto a la GED: el número de visitas, la resolución, los motivos de consulta y protocolos implantados en los equipos. Resultados: la GED en el territorio catalán presenta variabilidad en los porcentajes de resolución entre las diferentes gerencias territoriales. Los protocolos pediátricos presentan mayor resolución que los de adultos. Los protocolos con mayor resolución son los relacionados con la práctica usual de la enfermera, y los menos, los que históricamente resolvía el médico. Por último, existe correlación positiva entre los protocolos implementados y el número de usuarios visitados por la enfermera. Conclusiones: el liderazgo enfermero en la atención a enfermedades agudas leves es una práctica afianzada por las enfermeras de atención primaria; aunque existe heterogeneidad en la resolución de los motivos de consulta especialmente entre los que habitualmente atendía la enfermera y los que históricamente resolvía el médico. (AU)

Introduction: Nursing leadership in users with acute minor illnesses (NLAMI) is the attention given by nurse to people with acute problems carried out in primary care centers in Catalonia since 2009. The aim of the study is to evaluate the degree of resolution of the NLAMI in the centers of the Institut Català de la Salut. Methods: cross-sectional descriptive observational study. The scope of the study was the primary care of the Institut Català de la Salut in Catalonia. Secondary data analysis. The data were extracted from the Longview platform. The study variables were related with NLAMI: number of visits, resolution, reasons for consultation and protocols implemented in the health centers. Results: The NLAMI is implemented in the Catalonia and there is variability in the percentages of resolution between territories. Pediatric protocols have higher resolution than adult protocols. The most resolved protocols are those related to the usual practice of the nurse, and the least resolved protocols are those historically resolved by the physician. Finally, there is a positive correlation between the protocols implemented and the number of users visited by the nurse. Conclusions: the leadership in the care of acute minor illnesses is an established practice of primary care nurses and there is heterogeneity in the resolution of the reasons for consultation, especially between those usually attended by the nurse and those historically resolved by the physician. (AU)

Impacto de la formación y aspectos legales en la aplicación de la gestión enfermera de la demanda por parte de las enfermeras de atención primaria de Cataluña / Impact of training and legal aspects on the application of nurse demand management by primary care nurses in Catalonia

Objetivo: Conocer la experiencia de las enfermeras de atención primaria en la aplicación de la gestión enfermera de la demanda (GED). Diseño: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Emplazamiento: Atención primaria de Cataluña. Participantes: Enfermeras de atención primaria de Cataluña. Se estimó una muestra de 394 participantes alcanzando 405. La obtención de datos fue desde octubre de 2021 hasta enero de 2022. Mediciones principales: Se realizó un cuestionario ad hoc, el cual exploraba aspectos referentes a la experiencia de aplicación de la GED: definición y manejo del programa, formación y aspectos legales del programa. Resultados: Las enfermeras entienden la GED como un triaje. Además, consideran que la implantación de la prescripción enfermera no mejora la aplicación de la GED. Manifiestan una falta de formación especialmente las enfermeras más noveles. La formación ideal en GED, consideran, debería incluir fisiopatología y supuestos prácticos. Siete de cada 10 enfermeras desconocen el marco legal que ampara la GED y les provoca inseguridad no conocerlo. Seis de cada 10 han dejado de ser resolutivas por miedo a las repercusiones legales. Las enfermeras que sí conocen el marco legal son las que han dejado de resolver en menor proporción. Conclusiones: Se constata la necesidad de formación general en la GED y en los aspectos legales que dan cobertura al programa especialmente en las enfermeras más jóvenes y con menos experiencia en atención primaria. De esta manera se mejorará la aplicación y aceptación del rol autónomo enfermero en la gestión de enfermedades agudas leves.(AU)

Objective: To evaluate the experience of primary care nurses in the application of nurse demand management (NDM). Design: Observational, cross-sectional descriptive study. Location: Primary care in Catalonia. Participants: Nurses in the field of primary care in Catalonia. A sample of 394 responses was estimated and 405 were finally obtained. Data collection was from October 2021 to January 2022. Main measurements: An ad hoc questionnaire was developed which explored aspects related to the experience of applying NDM: definition and management of the program, training, and legal concerns of the program. Results: Nurses understand NDM as triage. In addition, they consider that the implementation of nurse prescription would not improve the application of NDM. They express a lack of training, especially among the younger nurses. They consider that the ideal training in NDM, should include physiopathology and practical cases. Seven out of ten nurses are unaware of the legal framework that protects NDM and feel insecure about not knowing it. Six out of ten nurses have stopped being resolutive due to fear of legal repercussions. Nurses who are aware of the legal framework are those who have stopped resolving in the lowest proportion. Conclusions: There is a need for general training in NDM and in the legal aspects that cover the program, especially for younger nurses with less experience in primary care. This will improve the application and acceptance of the autonomous nursing role in the management of acute minor illnesses.(AU)

[Impact of training and legal aspects on the application of nurse demand management by primary care nurses in Catalonia]. / Impacto de la formación y aspectos legales en la aplicación de la gestión enfermera de la demanda por parte de las enfermeras de atención primaria de Cataluña.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the experience of primary care nurses in the application of nurse demand management (NDM). DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional descriptive study. LOCATION: Primary care in Catalonia. PARTICIPANTS: Nurses in the field of primary care in Catalonia. A sample of 394 responses was estimated and 405 were finally obtained. Data collection was from October 2021 to January 2022. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: An ad hoc questionnaire was developed which explored aspects related to the experience of applying NDM: definition and management of the program, training, and legal concerns of the program. RESULTS: Nurses understand NDM as triage. In addition, they consider that the implementation of nurse prescription would not improve the application of NDM. They express a lack of training, especially among the younger nurses. They consider that the ideal training in NDM, should include physiopathology and practical cases. Seven out of ten nurses are unaware of the legal framework that protects NDM and feel insecure about not knowing it. Six out of ten nurses have stopped being resolutive due to fear of legal repercussions. Nurses who are aware of the legal framework are those who have stopped resolving in the lowest proportion. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for general training in NDM and in the legal aspects that cover the program, especially for younger nurses with less experience in primary care. This will improve the application and acceptance of the autonomous nursing role in the management of acute minor illnesses.

Estrategias en atención primaria frente a la covid-19. Liderazgo y resolución enfermera / Strategies in primary care against covid-19. Leadership and nurse resolution

La pandemia de la COVID-19 ha significado un reto para el sistema sanitario. La atención primaria ha tenido que reestructurarse para dar atención a los pacientes con sintomatología compatible con COVID-19 y al resto de patologías previas de siempre. Se han establecido estrategias con el objetivo de reducir el riesgo, para los pacientes y el personal, de la exposición innecesaria a posibles fuentes de infección por COVID-19. En el CAP de Can Trias (Viladecavalls), se optó por la creación de la consulta respiratorio-COVID enfermera de atención a los pacientes que presentan síntomas compatibles con COVID-19, donde la enfermera los valora y explora, y determina si resuelve el problema de salud o deriva al médico u otro dispositivo.Se evaluó la consulta respiratorio-COVID enfermera, mostrando una alta capacidad resolutiva y un bajo índice de reconsulta en la Gestión Enfermera de la Demanda (GED) de los pacientes con clínica compatible con COVID-19.La experiencia pone de manifiesto el gran potencial, autonomía y capacidad de adaptación de las enfermeras, siendo una oportunidad de consolidar y potenciar su valía y competencias. (AU)

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for the public health system. Primary care had to be restructured to treat patients with COVID-19 symptoms, as well as continue treating the usual pathologies. Strategies were set up in order to minimise risks of unnecessary exposure to possible sources of COVID-19 infection, for patients and health workers alike. In the primary care centre CAP de Can Trias (Viladecavalls), a special consultation of COVID-respiratory nurse care was put into place for patients with clinical symptoms compatible with COVID, where the nurse would observe, asses, and determine if the health issue can be resolved, or if they need further medical attention. This system was evaluated, which proved to have a high-resolution capacity, and a low rate of a second medical assessment in the Nurse Demand Management (GED) of patients with clinical symptoms compatible with COVID-19. Experience has proven the great potential, autonomy, and adaptability of the nursing team, having also become an opportunity to consolidate and boost their worth and proficiency. (AU)

[Concept analysis: Nurse demand management]. / Análisis de concepto: gestión enfermera de la demanda.

Nurse demand management (NDM) is an emerging concept that requires some useful clarification, not only for professionals and users but also for managers. The NDM was born in 2009 after the need to reorganize the flow of demand, but it has become more than this. NDM is understood as a program led by the primary care nurse to take care of people with acute minor illnesses. Nurses, under a consensual protocol and within their competence area, can be autonomous in patient care and in the resolution of acute minor illnesses. Therefore, following Primary Care's philosophy, both the doctor and the nurse are the professionals that will follow up the health-disease process throughout the user's life. This article was written according to the methodology described by Wilson.

[Evaluation of Nurse Demand Management in Primary Care]. / Evaluación de la gestión enfermera de la demanda en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the health outcomes of nurse demand management on unscheduled patients in a Primary Care Centre, following a clinical guide designed by the whole primary care team. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A primary care team from Castelldefels. Barcelona, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 558 patients requesting a consultation for the same day in a Primary Care setting, attended between May 1st, 2011 and January 31st, 2012. INTERVENTION: The guide includes 23 health problems that can be dealt by a nurse autonomously, 18 of them possibly requiring an emergency intervention, and shared decision with the physician. Each health problem is divided into three sections: a) a brief definition of the problem; b) an intervention algorithm; and c) nursing diagnoses of North American Nursing Diagnosis Association for each health problem and a description of the possible nursing interventions. RESULTS: We studied 558 patients with a mean age of 42.5 years old (SD 17.7). The most commonly consulted problems were upper respiratory tract symptoms (19.4%), followed by nausea/vomiting (16.5%), and burns/wounds (12.5%). 73.3% of the problems were resolved autonomously by a nurse. 65,8% of the patients attended received health advice. DISCUSSION: Nurse demand management has shown to be highly effective at handling the conditions attended, while it provides a high percentage of health advice and education during consultations.