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Author (down) Bunn, S. url  openurl
  Title An exploration of the transition of patients from intensive care to the ward environment: A ward nursing perspective Type
  Year 2007 Publication Abbreviated Journal Victoria University of Wellington Library  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords Clinical decision making; Nursing; Communication  
  Abstract The transition of patients from intensive care to the ward environment is a regular occurrence in intensive care. Today patients are often transferred earlier and sicker due to the demands for intensive care beds. This results in patients with higher acuity being cared for in the wards. Here ward nurses have to meet the ongoing complex demands of caring for higher acuity patients, alongside managing high patient-to-nurse ratios, staffing concerns, and varying levels of experienced nurses. This research explored the experiences of ward nurses receiving patients transferred from intensive care. The aims were to identify any areas of concern, highlight specific problems that occur on transition and to address what information is pertinent to ward nurses when receiving patients from intensive care. A qualitative descriptive methodology using focus groups was utilised to gather information about these experiences. Three focus groups were held with ward nurses from various wards within the study setting hospital. All participants had considerable contact with intensive care and were familiar with the processes of transferring patients. Five themes emerged from the focus groups – Patients as intensive care staff say they are; Time to prepare the biggest thing; Documentation as a continuation of patient care; They forget what its like; and Families, a need to know about them. The theme Patients as intensive care staff say they are relates to reliable information sharing focused on the patient, their needs and condition. Participants expressed their concern that patients were not always in the condition that the intensive care staff stated they were on the referral. Having adequate time to prepare was considered important for the majority of ward nurses receiving patients from intensive care. Documentation was highlighted in the theme Documentation as a continuation of patient care particularly in relation to fluid balances and vital sign history. The theme They forget what its like suggests there is a perception that intensive care nurses have a lack of understanding of what the ward staff can actually manage. Decreased staffing levels during certain shift patterns and a lack of appropriately experienced staff on the wards is a common concern for ward nurses. Ward nurses also recognised that caring for families was part of their role. Patients and families may respond differently to the transfer process and their inclusion in transfer planning was seen as essential. Communication was a reoccurring element throughout all themes.The author concludes that communication is the paramount factor that impacts on a 'smooth transition' for ward nurses. A 'smooth transition' refers to the transfer of patients from intensive care to the next level of care. Subsequently, nurses' perceptions need to change, whereby transfer planning from ICU should be the focus rather than discharge planning. Transfer planning and education for all nursing staff is vital if the transfer process is to be improved. Consequently, transitional care within the context of ICU aims to ensure minimal disruption and optimal continuity of care for the patient. The knowledge gained from this research may provide better understanding of the multifaceted issues linked with transitional care that may be adapted for a wider range of patients in various clinical environments.  
  Call Number NRSNZNO @ research @ 827 Serial 811  
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Author (down) Blair, K.M. openurl 
  Title Recognising the sick patient: An emergency nurses view: A research paper Type
  Year 2006 Publication Abbreviated Journal Victoria University of Wellington Library  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords Emergency nursing; Patient safety; Diagnosis; Training; Clinical decision making  
  Abstract This paper reports on a literature review that examines how health professionals (mainly nurses) recognise the signs of physical deterioration in their patients. It includes discussion of how nurses' clinical decision making skills influence how physical deterioration is identified and determines what changes in the delivery of care could have an impact on emergency department patients at risk of life threatening deterioration.  
  Call Number NRSNZNO @ research @ Serial 467  
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Author (down) Bickley, J. openurl 
  Title A study of medical, nursing, and institutional not-for-resuscitation (NFR) discourses Type
  Year 2002 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 317 pp  
  Keywords Clinical decision making; Attitude of health personnel; Hospitals; Terminal care  
  Abstract This study investigates the way that medical, nursing and institutional discourses construct knowledge in the specific context of Not-for-resuscitation (NFR)in a New Zealand general hospital where NFR guidelines are available in the wards and from the regional ethics committee. The thesis argues that there are ranges of techniques that staff use to construct NFR knowledge, enacted through various forms of speech and silence, which result in orderly and disorderly experiences for patients nearing death. The study was conducted through a critical analysis of the talk of health professionals and the Chairperson of the Regional Ethics Committee.  
  Call Number NRSNZNO @ research @ Serial 1117  
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Author (down) Ardagh, M.; Wells, E.; Cooper, K.; Lyons, R.; Patterson, R.; O'Donovan, P. url  openurl
  Title Effect of a rapid assessment clinic on the waiting time to be seen by a doctor and the time spent in the department, for patients presenting to an urban emergency department: A controlled prospective trial Type Journal Article
  Year 2002 Publication New Zealand Medical Journal Abbreviated Journal Access is free to articles older than 6 months, and abstracts.  
  Volume 115 Issue 1157 Pages  
  Keywords Emergency nursing; Time factors; Clinical assessment; Clinical decision making  
  Abstract The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that triaging certain emergency department patients through a rapid assessment clinic (RAC) improves the waiting times, and times in the department, for all patients presenting to the emergency department. For ten weeks an additional nurse and doctor were rostered. On the odd weeks, these two staff ran a RAC and on even weeks, they did not, but simply joined the other medical and nursing staff, managing patients in the traditional way. During the five weeks of the RAC clinic a total of 2263 patients attended the emergency department, and 361 of these were referred to the RAC clinic. During the five control weeks a total of 2204 patients attended the emergency department. There was no significant difference in the distribution across triage categories between the RAC and non-RAC periods. The researchers found that the rapid management of patients with problems which do not require prolonged assessment or decision making, is beneficial not only to those patients, but also to other patients sharing the same, limited resources.  
  Call Number NRSNZNO @ research @ Serial 617  
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