Evaluation of nurse-reported missed care in a post-anesthesia care unit: A mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Nurse-reported missed care (NRMC) is considered as any significant delay or omission in provision of nursing care. AIM: (i) Evaluate the frequency, types, and reasons for NRMC in the Post-anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). (ii) Evaluate associations between nurse demographic and workload factors with NRMC. (iii) Explore nurses' perception of NRMC in the PACU. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the PACU in a tertiary acute care hospital over 3 months. Full-time PACU nurses were conveniently sampled to complete an anonymous survey after their daily shift over different shifts. It contained three sections: (i) nurse demographics; (ii) elements of NRMC; and (iii) reasons for NRMC. Qualitative interviews employed a semi-structured guide to explore perceptions and experiences of NRMC. Descriptive, inferential statistics, and thematic analyses were applied. RESULTS: Sixty-six survey responses were collected. 48.5% of respondents indicated at least one NRMC activity. Activities more clinically sensitive were less missed. Eight nurses were interviewed. Four main themes were identified: (i) communication with patients; (ii) communication and teamwork with colleagues; (iii) dual role of documentation; and (iv) staffing inadequacy. Language barriers made communication challenging. Staff shortage exacerbates workload but effective teamwork and documentation facilitates nursing care. CONCLUSION: Communication and staffing concerns aggravate NRMC. Teamwork and personal contentment were satisfactory. Nurses' turnover intention may worsen staffing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Timeliness and quality of nursing care is impacted by elements such as manpower, allocation of resources, work processes, and workplace environmental or interpersonal factors such as culture and language fit. Re-evaluation of nursing resources and work processes may assist post-anesthesia care unit nurses in fulfilling their role, decreasing the prevalence of nurse-reported missed care.

Factors associated with practice readiness among newly qualified nurses in their first two years of practice.

BACKGROUND: Newly graduated nurses undergo stress and role adjustment as they transition into practice during the first year and continue to struggle beyond the first year. Determining their practice readiness can aid in the development of interventions to facilitate workplace readiness for nurses in their first two years entering the nursing profession. OBJECTIVES: To examine (i) extent of practice readiness of new nurses in their role; and (ii) associations between nurses' practice readiness and demographic and occupational variables, and reasons for choosing nursing profession. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 445 registered nurses who graduated within the last two years and working in an academic medical centre in Singapore. METHODS: Participants completed an online questionnaire with questions from Casey-Fink Readiness for Practice Survey and questions related to key competencies for future practice. RESULTS: More than half (57.5 %) identified at least three skills and procedures which they were uncomfortable performing independently as they transition into the clinical practice, including: (i) responding to emergency (ii) tracheostomy care; and (iii) chest tube care. The top three reasons for choosing nursing as a career were: (i) nursing is a stable industry (54.2 %); (ii) I want to help people (52.1 %); and (iii) able to work anywhere in the world (44.3 %). Nurses were most concerned with areas of trials and tribulations (42.5 %) and clinical competency (36.6 %). When compared to nurses in their first-year post-graduation, those working in their second year reported more confidence in the ability to problem solve (p = 0.003), care for a person who is dying (p = 0.004), and less difficulties in prioritizing care needs (p = 0.04). They also perceived themselves as a good problem solver (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: It is critical to continue supporting nurses' practice readiness beyond their first year of practice in their confidence and development of skills of higher complexity.

Exploring perceptions of frailty, resilience, and self-efficacy in older adults and caregivers in acute care context.

This study aimed to explore the experience and perceptions of frailty in hospitalized older adults and caregivers caring for older adults, in relation to resilience and self-efficacy. A qualitative explorative descriptive study design was utilized. Face to face interviews were conducted from September 2020 to July 2021 with 24 older adults who were 65 years and above and hospitalized in the acute care hospital. Ten informal family caregivers were also recruited. Data were analysed using an inductive content analysis approach. Frailty encompassed physical elements as well as manifestations of psychological traits, fear of the unknown, and being in control. Resilience was determined by individual psychological traits and mindset, and the possession of a coping mechanism. Self-efficacy could influence both frailty and resilience through inner motivation and assistance received. Older adults and family caregivers reported that considerable decline in physical health with age and level of perseverance can determine the level of frailty. Resilience and self-efficacy play a pivotal role in the context of frailty. Understanding resilience in this context will assist nurses to facilitate the use of individual and sociocultural resources to improve the way resilience is experienced by older adults. Various coping strategies can enhance self-efficacy and build greater resilience in older adults, including maintaining their active involvement in health management and social life.

'Been there, experienced that': A qualitative study on the experiences and perceptions of online peer volunteers in supporting Singaporean mothers at risk of depression.

BACKGROUND: Online peer support is a useful source of support for parents during the perinatal period, associated with improved psychological outcomes. Past research has found that peer support providers themselves gain from providing peer support as well, making it mutually beneficial. As current maternity care services are insufficient to meet the support needs of parents, the Supportive Parenting App (SPA) intervention was developed to offer them informational, appraisal and emotional support during the perinatal period. It consists of mobile health application-based educational support and online peer support provided by trained peer volunteers, to prevent the development of postnatal depression. OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of peer volunteers with providing online peer support to parents during the perinatal period, as well as to identify areas of improvement for the SPA intervention. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design was adopted. This study took place from October 2020 to August 2021 in two tertiary public healthcare institutions in Singapore. A total of 18 peer volunteers were invited for individual semi-structured interviews. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Four themes were emerged as follows: (1) 'Being there': Reminiscing about and healing of own postnatal depression experience; (2) Building rapport with parents; (3) Parents in mind: Mutual sharing of knowledge and how to support new parents better; (4) Ensuring good quality peer support. CONCLUSIONS: The peer volunteers felt that their experience was fulfilling and healing. Frequent contact, sharing of SPA resources and self-disclosure were found to help engage the new parents and build rapport between peer volunteers and parents. Challenges described by the peer volunteers have identified possible areas in which the SPA intervention can be improved. IMPLICATIONS FOR CARE: Communication between peer program facilitators, managers and peer volunteers can be enhanced to ensure that peer volunteers are more sensitive and precise when providing support or information. This can improve rapport building between parents and peer volunteers, which will in turn maximize the benefits that parents can reap through online peer-to-peer support. IMPACT: This study explored the perceptions of peer volunteers who provided online peer support to parents across the perinatal period. Peer volunteers felt that the SPA intervention was meaningful and that providing peer support was a healing experience. They were able to learn about the experiences of other mothers with postpartum depression while sharing their own past experiences. Thus, both parents and peer volunteers can benefit from engaging in online peer support programs. Technology-based interventions like the Supportive Parenting App (SPA) can be a suitable complement to maternity care services by providing parents access to medically accurate information and social support. Additionally, more experienced mothers can engage in fulfilling experiences through volunteering for new mothers who may benefit from informational, appraisal and emotional support. REPORTING METHOD: This study follows the reporting guidelines as stated by the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Parents and peer volunteers contributed ideas that aided with the design of the mobile app. Many topics added to the educational materials were suggested by these parents as well. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER CONTRIBUTE TO THE WIDER GLOBAL CLINICAL COMMUNITY?: This study showed that sufficient training can be provided to lay peer volunteers to help them support other parents, buffering the pressure exerted on the healthcare industry due to the rising demand for healthcare services. The provision of such support is also beneficial for the peer volunteers themselves, as they find it meaningful and educational. Program developers of parenting and peer volunteering interventions can draw on the findings of this study to improve the effectiveness of these programs.

Socio-economic and environmental factors associated with community-acquired pressure injuries: A mixed method study.

AIMS: To: (1) report on the prevalence of community-acquired pressure injuries (CAPIs) in patients admitted into the acute care setting; (2) examine the socio-economic and home environment associated with CAPIs; and (3) understand the challenges of caring for patients with CAPIs at home. METHODS: This mixed-method study recruited patients admitted with CAPIs in the acute care hospital between March 2021 to June 2022. The hospital's pressure injury (PI) database was used to screen patients admitted with CAPIs. A purposive sample of CAPI patients and their caregivers participated in this study. A cross-sectional survey study was first performed to examine the prevalence of CAPIs and the socio-economic and home environment factors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand the caregivers' challenges in caring for patients with CAPIs at home. RESULTS: The CAPI prevalence was reported at 1.1 % during the study period (1039 had CAPIs out of 97 912 patients admitted to the hospital). A total of 70 caregivers and patients consented to participate in the study. The mean age of patients was 84.2 (SD = 10.4) years old; 68.6 % (n = 48) were females. Majority presented with a deep tissue injury (DTI) (37.1 %; n = 26) or unstageable PI (31.4 %; n = 22). More than half of the patients had alternating air mattresses at home (54.3 %; n = 38), and only 10 % (n = 7) had positioning wedges and used a sliding sheet for turning. The mean age of the caregivers was 43.4 years old (SD = 13.1), and 84.3 % (n = 59) were female. Continuous data were summarised using means and standard deviations, and categorical data were summarised using frequencies and percentages. Logistic regression found no significant socio-demographic and clinical predictors of patients having PI stages 2, 3, and 4 compared to patients with DTI and unstageable PI. Challenges to caring for PI at home included high financial burden, physical limitations, and personal challenges in CAPIs management. CONCLUSION: CAPIs are prevalent among older patients admitted to the acute care setting. Understanding the influence of socio-economic factors is crucial for developing comprehensive strategies to mitigate the occurrence and impact of PIs. Ongoing support and education to the caregivers in the community is essential to address the reported challenges in PI care.

Facilitators and barriers to the implementation of surgical safety checklist: an integrative review.

Surgical procedures pose an immense risk to patients, which can lead to various complications and adverse events. In order to safeguard patients' safety, the World Health Organization initiated the implementation of the Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) in operating theatres worldwide. The aim of this integrative review was to summarize and evaluate the use and implementation of SSC, focusing on facilitators and barriers at the individual, professional, and organizational levels. This review followed closely the integrative review method by Whittemore and Knafl. An English literature search was conducted across three electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE) and other hand search references. Keywords search included: 'acute care', 'surgical', 'adult patients', 'pre-operative', 'intra-operative', and 'post-operative'. A total of 816 articles were screened by two reviewers independently and all articles that met the pre-specified inclusion criteria were retained. Data extracted from the articles were categorized, compared, and further analysed. A total of 34 articles were included with the majority being observational studies in developed and European countries. Checklists had been adopted in various surgical specialities. Findings indicated that safety checklists improved team cohesion and communication, resulting in enhanced patient safety. This resulted in high compliance rates as healthcare workers expressed the benefits of SSC to facilitate safety within operating theatres. Barriers included manpower limitations, hierarchical culture, lack of staff involvement and training, staff resistance, and appropriateness of checklist. Common facilitators and barriers at individual, professional, and organizational levels have been identified. Staff training and education, conducive workplace culture, timely audits, and appropriate checklist adaptations are crucial components for a successful implementation of the SSC. Methods have also been introduced to counter barriers of SSC.

Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Care Bundle for Preventing Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries in High-Risk Surgical Patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based care bundle to prevent perioperative pressure injuries. In a single facility, using a preintervention and postintervention quasi-experimental design, we compared the pressure injury incidence rate for two patient groups (ie, before and after care bundle implementation). The bundle included a variety of elements, such as educating patients, applying protection, controlling skin moisture, and using pressure-relieving devices according to the patient's risk. Before the intervention, patients received standard care before procedures that did not address risk for pressure injury development. The study involved a total of 944 patients, and the incidence of pressure injury was lower in the postintervention group than in the preintervention group (1.6% versus 4.8%; P < .001). However, the odds ratio was nonsignificant and therefore the clinical relevance of the bundle is unclear. Additional research with a control group and multiple sites is needed.

Original Research: Nurse-Reported Missed Care and Its Association with Staff Demographics and the Work Environment.

BACKGROUND: Nurses have primary responsibility for many of the care processes and interventions intended to improve patients' health during hospital stays. Accordingly, missed nursing care can negatively impact patient safety and lead to negative clinical outcomes. Missed nursing care is standard care that is not completed, incomplete, or seriously delayed. PURPOSE: There is scant literature on nurse-reported missed care (NRMC) in Singapore. Identifying the prevalence of, types of, and reasons for missed care, including staff-related factors, is imperative to understanding the implications of missed care and identifying opportunities for improvement. METHODS: Ours is a correlation study of NRMC using convenience sampling. Nurses working on all inpatient units in an acute care hospital in Singapore were recruited to complete the MISSCARE survey, a quantitative tool measuring missed nursing care and the reasons for it. Descriptive statistics was applied to analyze demographics, types of NRMC, and reasons for NRMC. The Pearson χ2 test was used to analyze the correlation between demographics and satisfaction variables and NRMC. RESULTS: A total of 314 participants out of 1,944 eligible nurses (response rate, 16%) were recruited. The most commonly reported missed care activities were setting up meals for patients who can feed themselves (87.3%), ambulation (70.1%), attending interdisciplinary conferences (64.3%), providing emotional support to patients and/or family (58%), and turning patients every two hours (56.7%). The most cited reasons for missed care were inadequate number of staff (84.4%), caregiver not in unit or unavailable (76.1%), heavy admission and discharge activity (75.5%), urgent patient situations (74.2%), and unexpected rise in patient volume and/or acuity (73.2%). Younger age, greater experience in role and current unit, inadequate staffing and teamwork, low satisfaction with current role and with being a nurse, and planning to leave the current position were factors significantly associated with greater levels of missed care. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated evidence of NRMC and its associated factors within the local setting. In addition to expanding nursing resources, analyzing nursing work processes, providing support for younger nurses, and improving nursing satisfaction are possible mitigating factors in preventing missed care. Strategies targeting workforce and resource management, greater support for new and younger nurses, and job satisfaction should be considered to address missed care.

Evaluating the Effects of the Supportive Parenting App on Infant Developmental Outcomes: Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have investigated the various effects of parenting on infant developmental outcomes. In particular, parental stress and social support have been found to significantly affect the growth of the newborn. Although many parents today use mobile apps to obtain more support in parenting and perinatal care, few studies have examined how these apps could affect infant development. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Supportive Parenting App (SPA) in improving infant developmental outcomes during the perinatal period. METHODS: This study adopted a 2-group parallel prospective longitudinal design and recruited 200 infants and their parents (N=400 mothers and fathers). The parents were recruited at 24 weeks of gestation for a randomized controlled trial conducted from February 2020 to July 2022. They were randomly allocated to either the intervention or control group. The infant outcome measures included cognition, language, motor skills, and social-emotional development. Data were collected from the infants when they were aged 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months. Linear and modified Poisson regressions were used to analyze the data to examine between- and within-group changes. RESULTS: At 9 and 12 months post partum, the infants in the intervention group were found to have better communication and language skills than those in the control group. An analysis of motor development revealed that a larger proportion of the infants in the control group fell under the at-risk category, where they scored approximately 2 SDs below the normative scores. The control group infants scored higher on the problem solving domain at 6 months post partum. However, at 12 months postpartum, the infants in the intervention group performed better on cognitive tasks than those in the control group. Despite not being statistically significant, the intervention group infants were found to have consistently scored better on the social components of the questionnaires than the control group infants. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the infants whose parents had received the SPA intervention tended to fare better in most developmental outcome measures than those whose parents had received standard care only. The findings of this study suggest that the SPA intervention exerted positive effects on the communication, cognition, motor, and socioemotional development of the infants. Further research is needed to improve the content and support provided by the intervention to maximize the benefits gained by infants and their parents. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04706442; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04706442.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Supportive Parenting App on Parental Outcomes: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Adjusting to new or additional parenting responsibilities increases stress and affects parental well-being. Existing research has highlighted both parents' desire to receive more support. It has also been found that receiving sufficient social support enhances parenting outcomes. With the increasing popularity of mobile health apps, a Supportive Parenting App (SPA) intervention was developed to fulfill the support needs of parents during the perinatal period. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the SPA on parental outcomes during the perinatal period. METHODS: A 2-group pretest and repeated posttest randomized controlled trial was conducted wherein 200 couples (N=400 mothers and fathers) were recruited from 2 public health care institutions in Singapore. Parents were randomly assigned to intervention (100/200, 50%) or control (100/200, 50%) groups. The SPA intervention consisted of a mobile app-based psychoeducation and peer support program to support parents from pregnancy to 6 months post partum. The outcome measures included postnatal depression, anxiety, parental bonding, parental self-efficacy, perceived social support, and parenting satisfaction. Data were collected at baseline (at >24 weeks of gestation-age of viability in Singapore) and at the first, second, fourth, sixth, ninth, and 12th month post partum. Linear mixed models were used to compare parental outcomes between the groups, and a linear mixed model for repeated measures was used to examine within-group changes. RESULTS: Parents in the intervention group mostly showed better outcomes compared with those in the control group. Parents in the intervention group had higher perceived social support than those in the control group at the first (effect size=1.59, 95% CI 0.38-2.80; Cohen standardized effect size=1.31; P=.01), second (effect size=1.98, 95% CI 1.09-2.88; Cohen standardized effect size=2.21; P=.003), and fourth (effect size=2.57, 95% CI 1.62-3.51; Cohen standardized effect size=2.72; P=.048) months post partum. However, parents in the intervention group showed significantly poorer parental bonding (effect size=1.67, 95% CI 0.24-3.11; Cohen standardized effect size=1.16; P=.02). The other parental outcomes did not differ significantly between groups. The scores of mothers and fathers also differed significantly for all outcomes except parental self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Parents in the intervention group generally fared better, especially regarding perceived social support. However, the lack of statistical significance in most outcomes showed the limited effectiveness of the SPA intervention, which may be because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parental differences in outcome scores suggest that mothers and fathers have different support needs; therefore, interventions should be tailored accordingly. Further improvements and evaluations are needed to examine the effectiveness of the SPA intervention in enhancing parental outcomes. Despite statistically insignificant results, limitations should be considered to further improve mobile health app-based interventions such as SPA, as they could serve as reliable and convenient sources of support for parents. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrails.gov NCT4706442; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04706442.

Sensitivity and specificity of three screening tools for frailty in hospitalized older adults.

AIM: To determine the test accuracy, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under curve, of three frailty screening tools in identifying the risk of frail outcomes among hospitalized older patients. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. METHODS: The screening tools [Frail-PPS (Frail-Physical, Psychological and Social), Frailty Assessment Measure (FAM), and Identification of seniors at-risk hospitalized patients (ISAR-HP)] were administered by ward nurses to patients aged 65 years and older within 24 h of admission to an acute hospital. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under curve analysis of the three tools in the context of three frail outcomes, (a) functional decline at three months after discharge-defined as a decline of at least one point on the Katz Index, (ii) requiring a full-time caregiver upon discharge, and (iii) death by three months after discharge, was assessed. RESULTS: Of 366 patients enrolled in the study, 78 (21.3%) experienced one or more frail outcomes, with 65 (17.76%) experiencing functional decline, 61 (16.67%) requiring a full-time caregiver upon discharge and 8 (2.19%) dying by three months. Frail-PPS had sensitivity 12.5% to 31.4% and specificity 91.2% to 94.8%, varying by the considered frail outcome. Similarly, FAM had sensitivity 12.5% to 29.4% and specificity 90.9% to 94.1%, and ISAR-HP had sensitivity 2.9% to 19.2% and specificity 92.2% to 99.1%. positive predictive value of the FAM, Frail-PPS and ISAR-HP ranged from 3.0 to 45.5%, 3.1 to 50.0% and 3.9 to 23.6% respectively, while their negative predictive value ranged from 87.1% to 97.9%, 87.7% to 97.9% and 92.2% to 99.4% respectively. The area under curve values were moderate for the Frail-PPS (0.56 to 0.75), FAM (0.58 to 0.70) and ISAR-HP (0.71 to 0.77) for the three outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: With high specificity and negative predictive values, as well as low sensitivity, FAM and Frail-PPS may be beneficial in identifying older individuals who are not frail, minimizing unnecessary further assessment and intervention.

Risk factors, prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia after hyperkalaemia in adult patients using intravenous insulin: An integrative review.

AIM: An integrative review was conducted to synthesize published evidence on the prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia and patient risk factors, in adult patients treated for hyperkalaemia with intravenous insulin and dextrose. METHODS: This review followed the framework by Whittemore and Knafl. Papers included were limited to English language studies involving participants who were aged 18 years and above and admitted in the inpatient acute care and emergency departments. The literature search was performed using five electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Proquest and Cochrane). RESULTS: A total of 22 studies were included. Two main themes were derived-patient risk factors and prevention-intervention strategies. Five main patient risk factors were lower pretreatment blood glucose (<7 mmol/L), lower weight, renal insufficiencies, older age and nondiabetic. The four subthemes in the prevention-intervention strategies included (i) methods of administration and dosing of intravenous insulin and dextrose, (ii) frequency of blood glucose monitoring, (iii) education to healthcare professionals and (iv) rescue agents. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized computerized order sets and integrated decision tool that can advise appropriate prescription of a higher volume of dextrose or lower insulin dose according to patient risk factors, regular monitoring and reinforced education may prevent and mitigate the risk of hypoglycaemia.

Perinatal support for couples during COVID-19: A descriptive qualitative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the perspectives of parents during the perinatal period amid the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the experiences of Singaporean parents receiving perinatal support via the Supportive Parenting App (SPA). BACKGROUND: The stressors accompanying parenting responsibilities often affect the overall well-being of the family unit. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Singaporean parents are forced to shoulder childcare responsibilities with minimal support due to safety restrictions. The Supportive Parenting Application (SPA) was introduced to parents during the start of the pandemic to offer timely additional support. It is a mobile health application-based educational support for parents across the perinatal period, consisting of features such as peer support, expert advice and discussion forums. DESIGN: Descriptive qualitative study. METHODS: Semi-structured one-to-one interviews were conducted with 33 parents (16 from the control group, 17 from the intervention group) in an ongoing randomised controlled trial between June 2021 and February 2022. The COREQ checklist was used to guide the reporting of the data. RESULTS: Four themes with 10 subthemes describing the perinatal experiences of parents were identified. The themes include 'Ups and downs' of parenting experiences; Perinatal care from 'best care' to 'flying blind'; What kept couples going and Use of technology-a way forward. CONCLUSION: Although COVID-19 negatively affected parents' availability of care and support, most could still access other support sources to help them. Additionally, the SPA was found to be a dependable information source for the intervention group parents. Future research could work on improving technology-based support based on the feedback given to offer better quality perinatal care for parents. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Technology-based support provided by healthcare professionals helps provide reliable perinatal information and support for parents. More efforts should be directed towards developing quality informational resources and support to improve perinatal care. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients/members of the public contributed to the data collected and were involved in member checking to ensure the rigour of the study. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NHG DSRB: 2019/00875.

Evaluation of Care Outcomes of Patients Receiving Hyperkalemia Treatment With Insulin in Acute Care Tertiary Hospital Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of hyperkalemia using intravenous insulin can result in severe hypoglycemia, but regular blood glucose monitoring is not standardized. This study aimed to (i) explore the demographics of adult patients receiving hyperkalemia treatment and (ii) identify the incidence rate of hypoglycemia and associated demographic or clinical characteristics. METHODS: A descriptive design with prospective data collection was used. This study recruited 135 patients who received hyperkalemia treatment in the emergency department. Structured blood glucose monitoring was conducted at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after receiving intravenous insulin. Univariate analyses of association between demographic and clinical variables and hypoglycemia outcome were performed. RESULTS: There were 31 hypoglycemic events, with 11.9%, 7.4%, 2.2%, and 1.5% occurring at the 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after treatment. The logit regression showed no significantly increased risk of hypoglycemia in terms of the demographic and clinical variables. DISCUSSION: The variation in blood glucose response observed in this study combined with the high incidences of hypolycaemia indicated the need for frequent and longer duration of monitoring for patients who were being treated for hyperkalaemia with IDT.

A year after COVID-19: Its impact on nurses' psychological well-being.

BACKGROUND: Nurses' burnout and psychological well-being are a significant concern during the pandemic. AIMS: The aim of this study is to (i) examine the level of burnout, anxiety, depression, perceived stress and self-rated health for nurses at two time-points, 2020 and 2021, and (ii) examine the socio-demographic characteristics, work-related factors and perceived workplace support factors in relation to the level of burnout. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with a longitudinal approach. A convenience sample of registered nurses who worked in an acute care tertiary hospital in Singapore were surveyed during two time-points. Participants' health, socio-demographic characteristics, work-related factors and perceived workplace support factors were collected. RESULTS: Among the 179 nurses, there was a significant increase in burnout level, poorer self-rated health and reduced job dedication. A decrease in the percentage of nurses who felt appreciated at work was reported in 2021 (p = 0.04). Nurses who felt their team was not working well together were 3.30 times more likely to experience burnout (95% CI 1.12 to 9.69; p = 0.03). Nurses who reported that they never felt appreciated by their department/hospital were 8.84 times more likely to experience burnout (95% CI 2.67 to 29.21; p < 0.001). Nurses with poorer self-rated health were more likely to report burnout (95% CI: 1.32-6.03; p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Nurses had an increased experience of burnout, reduced job dedication and poorer self-rated health after the outbreak. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Interventions at the departmental and organizational levels are needed to improve the workplace support. Strategies to support nurses' psychological well-being during the aftermath of COVID-19 are vital to managing nurses' burnout and improving job dedication and self-rated health.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of web-based psychosocial interventions among patients with colorectal cancer.

AIMS: To synthesize the effectiveness of web-based psychosocial interventions on self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, quality of life (QoL), non-specific psychological and cancer-specific distress among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Six databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL and CNKI) were searched from inception to December 2021. REVIEW METHODS: Experimental/quasi-experimental studies involving patients with CRC for the improvement of aforementioned outcomes were included. Two reviewers screened and extracted the data, and assessed studies' methodological quality using risk of bias tools. Meta-analyses and narrative syntheses were performed. RESULTS: Nineteen studies consisting of 1386 participants were identified. Cognitive-behavioural therapy delivered online was the most common trialled web-based psychosocial intervention. Meta-analyses revealed no positive effect for self-efficacy (standardized mean difference 0.93, 95% CI: 0.52 to 1.35, p < .01) and minimal benefit for QoL (mean difference [MD] 2.83, 95% CI: -0.31 to 5.98, p = .08) but significant positive effects for anxiety (MD -2.23, 95% CI: -3.31 to -1.14, p < .01) and depression (MD -2.84, 95% CI: -4.09 to -1.59, p < .01) among CRC survivors in the intervention group as compared with the control group. Narrative synthesis suggested possible benefits in reducing distress. CONCLUSION: Web-based psychosocial interventions are promising alternatives to conventional delivery methods in reducing patients' anxiety, depression and distress. However, evidence on self-efficacy and QoL remains inconsistent. More adequately powered, well-designed trials with targeted and theory-based interventions are required to ascertain findings. IMPACT: By highlighting the potential of web-based psychosocial interventions in reducing anxiety and depression among CRC survivors, this review has put forth beneficial information supporting the use and acceptance of web-based care delivery in light of COVID-19 restrictions and nationwide lockdowns. Meanwhile, the paucity of empirical support reflects the necessity of more extensive research to test and improve other health outcomes. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021261396.

Health care workers' experience of personal protective equipment use and associated adverse effects during the COVID-19 pandemic response in Singapore.

AIM: One of the greatest challenges in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is preventing staff exposure and infection by ensuring consistent and effective use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This study explored health care workers' experience of prolonged PPE use in clinical practice settings and their concerns regarding PPE supply, effectiveness and training needs. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted in this study. METHODS: Health care workers (N = 592) from an acute care hospital completed an online survey from July to September 2020 assessing: (i) usage frequencies, side effects and interference with patient care; and (ii) perceptions of access to PPE, likelihood of exposure to infection and adequacy of PPE training. RESULTS: PPE-related side effects were reported by 319 (53.8%) participants, the majority being nurses (88.4%) and those working in high-risk areas such as the emergency department (39.5%), respiratory wards (acute 22.3% and non-acute 23.8%) and COVID-19 isolation ward (13.8%). The average time wearing PPE per shift was 6.8 h (SD 0.39). The most commonly reported symptoms were from donning N95 masks and included: pressure injuries (45.5%), mask-induced acne (40.4%) and burning/pain (24.5%). Some 31.3% expressed that PPE-related side effects had negatively affected their work. The odds of having PPE-associated side effects was higher in women (OR 2.10, 95% CI [1.29-03.42], p = .003) and those working in high-risk wards (OR 3.12, 95% CI [2.17-4.60], p < .001]. Most (90.1%) agreed that PPE supplies were readily available, sufficient for all (86.1%) and there was sufficient training in correct PPE use (93.6%). Only 13.7% of participants reported being 'highly confident' of overall PPE protection. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention and management of PPE-related adverse effects is vital to: preserve the integrity of PPE, improve adherence and minimize viral transmission. IMPACT: The high incidence of PPE-associated pressure injuries and perception that PPE use can interfere with clinical care should inform future development of PPE products, and strategies to better equip health care workers to prevent and manage PPE-related side effects.

Nurses' perceptions of nursing education transformation and its impact on care delivery in Singapore.

AIMS: To explore nurses' perceptions of the transformation in Singapore's nursing education and its impact on the delivery of nursing care. BACKGROUND: Nursing education in Singapore has sailed through a sea of changes, from the apprenticeship model of training in hospitals to institutions of higher learning. Limited primary studies have explored the evolution of nursing education, and none have explored its impact on the delivery of nursing care, based on nurses' perceptions. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative design with purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit 18 experienced nurses from local teaching institutions and healthcare clusters. Semistructured individual face-to-face interviews were conducted using an interview guide. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research reporting guideline was used to report the study. FINDINGS: Five themes emerged: 'evolution of the nursing education approach', 'clinical learning environments', 'evaluation of changes in the nursing education approach', 'attitudes toward the provision of various levels of education' and 'influences of various competencies on the delivery of nursing care'. CONCLUSION: Changes in teaching pedagogies, learning, assessment, curriculum structure, content and clinical learning environment were commonly reported, which provided insights into understanding nursing education transformation and its impact on nursing practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING EDUCATION: The findings could better prepare nurses for the demanding needs of the contemporary healthcare landscape. Nurse educators and leaders should evaluate gaps in nursing education and implement strategies to improve students' learning experiences and outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: Policy-makers can draw on our findings to revise the core competencies guidelines and improve future training by supporting the healthcare needs of society.

Virtual reality interventions and the outcome measures of adult patients in acute care settings undergoing surgical procedures: An integrative review.

AIMS: To evaluate the different types of virtual reality (VR) therapy received by adult patients undergoing surgical procedures in acute care settings and the outcome measures, as well as to highlight the acceptability and feasibility of VR approaches among patients and healthcare workers. DESIGN: Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review method guided the analysis. DATA SOURCES: Searches were conducted in ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Wiley Online Library, Medline, PsycINFO and PubMed and Google Scholar from 2000 to June 2021. REVIEW METHODS: A systematic search on articles published in English was carried out with electronic databases and hand search references. Keywords searched included primary qualitative and quantitative studies that utilized VR therapy in surgical care settings. RESULTS: Eighteen articles were reviewed, which reported the use of two main strategies: guided and interactive imagery therapy. The findings identified: (i) patient-clinical outcome measures including the use of analgesics, vital signs, functional capacity and length of hospital stay; and (ii) patient-reported experience measures including pain, anxiety and satisfaction level. Comfort, age, knowledge and attitude were key factors influencing the acceptability of VR among the patients, whereas cost-effectiveness and infection control were two main factors affecting the feasibility of use among the health care workers. CONCLUSION: VR therapy demonstrated potential improvements in both the patient-clinical outcomes and patient-reported experiences of those undergoing surgical procedures. However, the findings were inconsistent, which required further research to explore and establish the effectiveness of using VR in the context of acute care settings. IMPACT: VR distraction has been increasingly used as a non-pharmacological method in managing pain, easing anxiety and optimizing other associated outcomes in patients undergoing surgical procedures. It is essential to examine the effectiveness of VR therapy on the adult patients' outcomes in acute care settings with surgical procedures, as well as its acceptability and feasibility of use.

A Theory-Based, Multidisciplinary Approach to Cocreate a Patient-Centric Digital Solution to Enhance Perioperative Health Outcomes Among Colorectal Cancer Patients and Their Family Caregivers: Development and Evaluation Study.

BACKGROUND: Elective colorectal cancer (CRC) surgeries offer enhanced surgical outcomes but demand high self-efficacy in prehabilitation and competency in self-care and disease management postsurgery. Conventional strategies to meet perioperative needs have not been pragmatic, and there remains a pressing need for novel technologies that could improve health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to describe the development of a smartphone-based interactive CRC self-management enhancement psychosocial program (iCanManage) in order to improve health outcomes among patients who undergo elective CRC surgeries and their family caregivers. METHODS: A multidisciplinary international team comprising physicians, specialist nurses, a psychologist, software engineers, academic researchers, cancer survivors, patient ambassadors, and ostomy care medical equipment suppliers was formed to facilitate the development of this patient-centric digital solution. The process occurred in several stages: (1) review of current practice through clinic visits and on-site observations; (2) review of literature and findings from preliminary studies; (3) content development grounded in an underpinning theory; (4) integration of support services; and (5) optimizing user experience through improving interface aesthetics and customization. In our study, 5 participants with CRC performed preliminary assessments on the quality of the developed solution using the 20-item user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale (uMARS), which had good psychometric properties. RESULTS: Based on the collected uMARS data, the smartphone app was rated highly for functionality, aesthetics, information quality, and perceived impact, and moderately for engagement and subjective quality. Several limiting factors such as poor agility in the adoption of digital technology and low eHealth literacy were identified despite efforts to promote engagement and ensure ease of use of the mobile app. To overcome such barriers, additional app-training sessions, an instruction manual, and regular telephone calls will be incorporated into the iCanManage program during the trial period. CONCLUSIONS: This form of multidisciplinary collaboration is advantageous as it can potentially streamline existing care paths and allow the delivery of more holistic care to the CRC population during the perioperative period. Should the program be found to be effective and sustainable, hospitals adopting this digital solution may achieve better resource allocation and reduce overall health care costs in the long run. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04159363; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04159363.