Events related to medication errors and related factors involving nurses' behavior to reduce medication errors in Japan: a Bayesian network modeling-based factor analysis and scenario analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the relationships between medication errors and the factors affecting nurses' knowledge and behavior in Japan using Bayesian network modeling. It also aimed to identify important factors through scenario analysis with consideration of nursing students' and nurses' education regarding patient safety and medications. METHODS: We used mixed methods. First, error events related to medications and related factors were qualitatively extracted from 119 actual incident reports in 2022 from the database of the Japan Council for Quality Health Care. These events and factors were then quantitatively evaluated in a flow model using Bayesian network, and a scenario analysis was conducted to estimate the posterior probabilities of events when the prior probabilities of some factors were 0%. RESULTS: There were 10 types of events related to medication errors. A 5-layer flow model was created using Bayesian network analysis. The scenario analysis revealed that "failure to confirm the 5 rights," "unfamiliarity with operations of medications," "insufficient knowledge of medications," and "assumptions and forgetfulness" were factors that were significantly associated with the occurrence of medical errors. Conclusion: This study provided an estimate of the effects of mitigating nurses' behavioral factors that trigger medication errors. The flow model itself can also be used as an educational tool to reflect on behavior when incidents occur. It is expected that patient safety education will be recognized as a major element of nursing education worldwide and that an integrated curriculum will be developed.

Do Tapping and Massaging during Tourniquet Application Promote Dilation of Forearm Cutaneous Veins? A Pilot Quasi-Experimental Study.

Successful insertion of a peripheral intravenous catheterization requires that veins be sufficiently dilated. This study aimed to clarify the venous dilation effect of including tapping or massaging to the application of a tourniquet at the cutaneous veins of healthy adults' forearms. This was a quasi-experimental study of 30 healthy adult volunteers. Each participant underwent all three venous dilation procedures, which included the tourniquet application (Control condition), the tourniquet application and tapping the participant's forearm (Tapping condition), as well as the tourniquet application combined with massaging the participant's forearm (Massage condition). To clarify the venous dilation effects, venous indices were measured, namely the venous diameter (mm), depth (mm), and palpation score. After applying all venous dilation procedures, the venous diameter and palpation score significantly increased. However, no significant difference was observed between the control condition and each intervention condition. The depth in the control and tapping conditions decreased significantly in contrast to the Massage condition. Moreover, a subgroup (nine participants with a venous diameter less than 3 mm after the control condition) had similar results. This study found that additional tapping or massaging after tourniquet application could be less effective in promoting dilation in the forearm veins of healthy adults. Future studies should examine the efficacy and effectiveness of venous dilation in a wide target population while considering intervention methods.

Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Nursing Performance Instrument.

AIM: Work performance of nurses is a critical aspect that concerns the safety of both nurses and patients, but also secondarily influences nurses' turnover due to serious fatigue and burnout. Monitoring nursing performance as well as fatigue is important for appropriate safety management of patients and nurses, and the development of a monitoring tool is essential. The Nursing Performance Instrument (NPI) can provide comprehensive and brief monitoring of nursing performance. This study aimed to verify the validity and reliability of a Japanese version of the NPI (NPI-J). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on nurses who work in inpatient care across five Japanese hospitals. We considered appropriate factor numbers with parallel analysis and the Velicer's minimum average partial test. The construct validity was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Pearson's correlation analysis. Cronbach's alpha was calculated for the internal consistency. RESULTS: A three-factor model eventually showed acceptable fit indices in the CFA. Moreover, the correlation results among the three factors indicated discriminant validity comparable to the original NPI. The correlation results with acute fatigue, chronic fatigue, and burnout verified convergent validity. Internal consistency was insufficient. CONCLUSION: The NPI-J demonstrated acceptable construct validity. This instrument can assess nurses' perceptions of their performance by measuring each item. Future work on the reliability of the sub-concepts will require additional items or reliability testing based on generalizability theory and item response theory.

Effects of 90 Min Napping on Fatigue and Associated Environmental Factors among Nurses Working Long Night Shifts: A Longitudinal Observational Study.

For nurses working long night shifts, it is imperative that they have the ability to take naps to reduce fatigue, and that an appropriate environment is prepared where such naps can be taken. We verified the effects of 90 min napping on fatigue and the associated factors among nurses working 16-h night shifts. We investigated 196-night shifts among 49 nurses for one month. Wearable devices, data logging devices, and questionnaires were used to assess nap parameters, fatigue, and environmental factors such as the napping environment, ways of spending breaks, and working environment. Nurses who nap at least 90 min on most night shifts had more nursing experience. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the environmental factors significantly associated with total nap duration (TND) ≥ 90 min were noise, time spent on electronic devices such as cellphones and tablets during breaks, and nap break duration. The night shifts with TND ≥ 90 min showed lower drowsiness after nap breaks and less fatigue at the end of night shift compared to those with TND < 90 min. Nurses and nursing managers should recognize the importance of napping and make adjustments to nap for at least 90 min during long night shifts.

Post-Work Recovery from Fatigue and Sleep Episodes among Nurses Who Are Engaged in 16-Hour Night Shifts: A Prospective Observational Study.

Poor recovery from fatigue among shift-working nurses can cause a transition from acute to chronic fatigue. We aimed to clarify the relationship between nurses' recovery from fatigue and sleep episodes after 16 h night shifts while considering age. This prospective study included 62 nurses who worked 16 h night shifts. Fatigue was assessed by a questionnaire before, during, and after the night shift, and the morning following the night shift. Sleep episodes were continuously measured using a wearable device. We performed a hierarchical cluster analysis of multivariate sleep parameters in first and main sleep episodes after night shifts. A linear mixed model was used to estimate the difference between clusters in recovery from fatigue after the night shift, considering age. The participants were classified into a high sleep quality group (HSQG) and low sleep quality group (LSQG) in sleep episodes after the night shift. There was a significant main effect of clusters, and HSQG was significantly more effective than LSQG in recovering from fatigue. However, no main effects of age or interaction were observed. The quality of first and main sleep episodes at home was associated with recovery from the night shift to the next day, regardless of age.

Salivary Biomarker Profiles and Chronic Fatigue among Nurses Working Rotation Shifts: An Exploratory Pilot Study.

Although nurses' fatigue affects their well-being and patient safety, no effective objective measurements exist. We explored the profiles of salivary biomarkers associated with nurses' chronic fatigue across several shifts. This longitudinal study involved 45 shiftwork nurses and collected their saliva samples before two night and two day shifts for a month. Chronic fatigue was measured using the Cumulative Fatigue Symptom Index before the first night shift. Biomarker profiles were analyzed using hierarchical cluster analysis, and chronic fatigue levels were compared between the profiles. Cortisol profiles were classified into high- and low-level groups across two day shifts; the low-level group presented significantly higher irritability and unwillingness to work. Secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) profiles across the four shifts were classified into high- and low-level groups; the high-level group had significantly higher depressive feelings, decreased vitality, irritability, and unwillingness to work. Cortisol (two day shifts) and s-IgA (four shifts) profiles were combined, and (i) cortisol low-level and s-IgA high-level and (ii) cortisol high-level and s-IgA low-level groups were identified. The former group had significantly higher chronic fatigue sign and irritability than the latter group. The profiles of salivary cortisol and s-IgA across several shifts were associated with nurses' chronic fatigue.

Effects of differences in wiping pressure applied by nurses during daily bed baths on skin barrier function, cleanliness, and subjective evaluations.

AIM: To clarify the actual condition and examine the effects of differences in wiping pressure applied by clinical nurses during daily bed baths on skin barrier function, cleanliness, and subjective evaluations. METHODS: For the purposes of the present quasi-experimental interventional study, "wiping pressure" was defined as the "force applied vertically to the skin surface during bed baths." Two types of bed baths, one using ordinary wiping (pressure: 23-25 mmHg) and the other using weak wiping (pressure: 12-14 mmHg), were performed on the forearms (right and left) of 30 healthy adult men and women, and the effects on transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum hydration, cleanliness, and subjective evaluations were examined. RESULTS: The results showed no differences between ordinary and weak wiping pressure in regard to the effects on skin barrier function and cleanliness. In terms of subjective evaluations, a significant association was seen between wiping pressure and the "sensation of having dirt removed" (P = .036). Regarding "degree of pain," some participants reported that the wiping pressure felt "slightly painful" under both conditions (ordinary: 31.1%; weak: 10.7%), while some with sensitive skin reported feeling pain even during weak wiping pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that skin assessments should be performed before and after bed baths, and that wiping pressure should be controlled and evaluated while considering the patient's feelings.

Association between sleep and fatigue in nurses who are engaged in 16 h night shifts in Japan: Assessment using actigraphy.

AIM: To determine the association between sleep and fatigue in nurses who are working in a two-shift system, including 16 h night shifts. METHODS: Sixty-one nurses were assessed on their sleeping and napping over 9 days, using actigraphy and a sleep diary. Work-related feelings of fatigue were measured by using the "Jikaku-sho shirabe" questionnaire and the Cumulative Fatigue Symptoms Index. RESULTS: The main night-time sleep started after 00:00 hours in half of the participants and the average start and end times were significantly delayed among the participants in their 20s, compared to those in their 40s . Although ~90% of the participants napped during and/or after a night shift, only 50.8% napped for >2 h during their shift and 32.8% napped in the morning after a night shift. In the high-fatigue group, significantly more nurses went to sleep after 00:25 hours than before 00:26 hours the night after a night shift. Furthermore, those nurses who napped for >2 h during their night shift exhibited a significantly lower rate of some cumulative fatigue symptoms, compared to those who did not. In addition, a combination of napping in the morning after a night shift and beginning the following night-time sleep before 00:26 hours were associated with a significant decrease in fatigue symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Naps at an appropriate time and of an appropriate duration, along with the practice of beginning the night-time sleep early after a night shift, might relieve cumulative mental fatigue in nurses who are working 16 h night shifts.