Virtual monitoring of suicide risk in the general hospital and emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether continuous virtual monitoring, an intervention that facilitates patient observation through video technology, can be used to monitor suicide risk in the general hospital and emergency department (ED). METHOD: This was a retrospective analysis of a protocol in which select patients on suicide precautions in the general hospital and ED received virtual monitoring between June 2017 and March 2018. The primary outcome was the number of adverse events among patients who received virtual monitoring for suicide risk. Secondary outcomes were the percentage of patients for whom virtual monitoring was discontinued for behavioral reasons and the preference for observation type among nurses. RESULTS: 39 patients on suicide precautions received virtual monitoring. There were 0 adverse events (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.000-0.090). Virtual monitoring was discontinued for behavioral reasons in 4/38 cases for which the reason for terminating was recorded (0.105, 95%CI = 0.029-0.248). We were unable to draw conclusions regarding preference for observation type among nurses due to a low response rate to our survey. CONCLUSIONS: Suicide risk can feasibly be monitored virtually in the general hospital or ED when their providers carefully select patients for low impulsivity risk.

An Interdisciplinary Clinical Approach for Workplace Violence Prevention and Injury Reduction in the General Hospital Setting: S.A.F.E. Response.

BACKGROUND: Workplace violence is a major public health concern. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2002 to 2013, incidents of serious workplace violence (those requiring days off) were four times more common in health care than in private industry. AIMS: An interprofessional committee developed, implemented, and evaluated a quality improvement project from 2012 to 2016 to reduce workplace violence and prevent staff injury. The initiative termed S.A.F.E. Response stands for Spot a threat, Assess the risk, Formulate a safe response, Evaluate the outcome. METHOD: An institutional review board-approved quality improvement survey was implemented and evaluated. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. An interprofessional committee developed and implemented a comprehensive program to prevent injury, which included (a) a mandatory eLearning educational training, (b) a S.A.F.E. Response with standardized interventions for the clinical conditions affecting safety, and (c) a clinical debriefing process. A reduction in nursing staff assault incidence rates was identified as a success. RESULTS: Nursing staff injury rates decreased an average of 40%. CONCLUSIONS: A reduction in nursing staff assault incidence rates was notable. Clinicians equipped with knowledge, skills, and resources can identify and defuse unsafe situations to prevent violence. This clinical approach shifts the focus from crisis intervention to crisis prevention, which reduces injury.

A Population-Based Care Improvement Initiative for Patients at Risk for Delirium, Alcohol Withdrawal, and Suicide Harm.

BACKGROUND: In a population-based approach, a hospital-wide interprofessional care redesign at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH; Boston), was conducted to provide optimal evidence-informed care for patients at risk for delirium, alcohol abuse, and suicide harm (DASH). The initiative involved enhanced screening and the introduction of new care management guidelines and order sets pertaining to the DASH diagnoses. METHODS: An interprofessional group from medicine, nursing, and psychiatry jointly led a hospitalwide effort for the improvement of care and outcomes of patients presenting with a DASH diagnosis (delirium, alcohol withdrawal, and suicide harm). The care improvement process consisted of four phases: (1) development of guidelines, (2) imple mentation/rollout, (3) integration into practice, and (4) sustainability, including ongoing practice development and evaluation. RESULTS: Implementation outcomes were evaluated using eight parameters-acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, fidelity, implementation cost, penetration, and sustainability. Internal billing data and ICD-9-CM [International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification] diagnostic codes were used to identify the DASH population. Patients were compared pre- and postprogram implementation for fiscal years 2010 through 2013. The average length of stay, reported as the number of midnights in the hospital, remained consistent for DASH patients-9.3-10.0 days (versus 5.3-6.0 days for BWH over all). The DASH readmission rate decreased by 9%-from 15.1% to 13.7%, approaching the overall BWH rate of 13.3%. CONCLUSION: Close nurse-physician collaboration, including joint leadership and simultaneous rollout for nurses and physicians, contributed to the initiative's effective implementation.

Psychiatric advanced practice nurses contributions to supporting survivors and caregivers affected by the Boston marathon bombings.

OBJECTIVE: The role of the psychiatric advanced practice nurse in promoting psychological health and resiliency for patients, their families and staff following the Boston Marathon bombings is reviewed. BACKGROUND: On April 15, 2013, 2 bombs exploded near the finish line at the Boston Marathon. Within minutes, 39 patients suffering from multiple injuries presented at a level I trauma center. The magnitude of this event and its effect on our hospital required a comprehensive response that would promote resiliency and healing. RATIONALE: Lessons shared from responders to other tragedies were helpful in guiding our interprofessional efforts. The multiple layers of our response are reviewed to offer learnings that may inform others as they work to promote resiliency and healing following traumatic events. DESCRIPTION: In response to this event, we utilized a trauma-informed care framework emphasizing physical, psychological, and emotional safety to assist staff, survivors, and families on their journey of healing. CONCLUSION: Emotional reactions were dramatic but were eased by the psychological care and education that our patients, their families, and staff received in the first days to weeks after the bombings. IMPLICATIONS: The psychiatric advanced practice nurse can influence positive outcomes by utilizing a trauma-informed care framework.

Falls in the general hospital: association with delirium, advanced age, and specific surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND: Falls and delirium in general-hospital inpatients are related to increases in morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Patients fall despite safeguards and programs to reduce falling. OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to determine the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed delirium in patients who fell during their hospital stay. METHOD: The authors performed a retrospective electronic chart review of 252 patients who fell during their hospital stay. Falls were categorized by their severity (i.e., minor, moderate, and major). Demographic information, patient outcomes, and diagnostic criteria for delirium (per DSM-IV) were collected on the day of admission, the day of the fall, and the 2 days preceding the patient's fall. RESULTS: Falls in the general hospital were associated with delirium (both diagnosed and undiagnosed), advanced age, and specific surgical procedures. CONCLUSION: Improving the recognition of undiagnosed delirium may lead to sustainable and successful fall prevention programs. Detection of impairments in mental status can assist staff to create individualized patient care plans. Knowledge about which patients are at risk for injury from delirium and falls can lead to improvements in patient safety, functioning, and quality of life.

Successful implementation of an alcohol-withdrawal pathway in a general hospital.

BACKGROUND: Although alcohol use and abuse are common among general-hospital inpatients, many patients are inadequately assessed and treated for alcohol withdrawal. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the implementation of a clinical pathway for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal in medical inpatients would result in improvements in clinical practice and patient outcomes. METHOD: Authors retrospectively reviewed 80 patient records (including 40 of those treated before the implementation of a pathway and 40 of those treated after pathway implementation). RESULTS: Assessment procedures and ordering patterns of physicians (medical house staff and staff physicians) shifted in a fashion consistent with the new treatment guidelines. Patient outcomes (e.g., length of stay and the incidence of delirium) improved for those patients who received benzodiazepines within the range of the pathway guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Timely assessment and staff education can shift prescription patterns, increase patient monitoring, and reduce costs associated with alcohol withdrawal.

Is your medical/surgical patient withdrawing from alcohol?

Look beyond the stereotype. Any hospitalized patient could be dependent on alcohol-and at risk for alcohol withdrawal syndrome.