A multicomponent intervention to optimise nurseepatient communication in the intensive care unit: A mixed-methods acceptability and feasibility study

Background Mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units may experience communication challenges owing to intubation, which affects nurse–patient communication. Several strategies may optimise communication, but only one previous study has tested a multicomponent intervention. Implementing such an intervention can be challenging because communication strategies may be set aside by lifesaving care tasks and procedures. In a previous study, we designed a communication intervention based on pre-existing clinical methods and evidence-based approaches. The present study evaluated the intervention to determine if it was necessary to adjust its components and the implementation strategy. Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and assess nurses’ acceptability of a patient-centred, multicomponent communication intervention prototype in an intensive care unit. Methods The overall frame was the Medical Research Council's framework for developing complex interventions. Indicators of feasibility and acceptability were used for the evaluation. A mixed-methods design was applied including a survey with open-ended text boxes and qualitative observations as data sources. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data were explored using content analysis. Data were compiled and displayed in a side-by-side comparison. The data were collected between September 2020 and March 2021. Nurses from four intensive care units at a university hospital in Denmark participated in the study. All nurses who were on active duty during the implementation of the intervention were enrolled for the survey and participant observations. Results Overall, the results provided insight into the feasibility based on fidelity and context as well as nurses’ acceptability based on adherence, appropriateness, convenience, and effectiveness. Qualitative and quantitative results yielded partially contrasting findings but highlighted how the intervention may be optimised to enhance fit with clinical practice and overcome implementation challenges. Conclusion The intervention was feasible and acceptable. However, implementation needs to be repeated to allow nurses to fully understand and use the intervention.publishedVersio

Strengthening and supporting nurses’ communication with mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit: Development of a communication intervention

Background Nurse-patient communication in intensive care units is challenged by the fact that patients are voiceless due to intubation and mechanical ventilation. Difficult communication affects nurses negatively, and it requires knowledge and expertise to facilitate communication in this complex and technologically tense setting. Augmentative and alternative communication has been suggested as a way of optimising communication; several approaches can be combined in a multi-component intervention. Also, a communication algorithm has been proposed as a way of providing structure in patient communication. To enhance transparency and avoid poorly reported interventions, this paper describes the process, rationale and reflections behind developing a communication intervention called the ICU-COM. Objectives To present the development process of a communication intervention prototype that aims to support and strengthen nurses’ communication with mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit. Design The Medical Research Council's framework for developing complex interventions in health was applied. The approach was target-population centred. Settings The intervention was developed and tailored to four intensive care unit departments at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark. Participants Intensive care nurses and various experts, namely, speech-language pathologists, graphic designers, a software company, the local Centre for E-learning and nurse specialists were involved in its development. Results An intervention consisting of: 1) a multi-component communication bundle, 2) delivery of the bundle via a teaching session and 3) initial implementation via nurse communication guides was developed. The communication bundle contained: 1) a communication strategy with a BASIS framework and algorithm, 2) a nurse education programme and 3) low-tech and high-tech communication tools. Conclusions A systematic approach was applied in the development process. However, the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention is at present unknown.publishedVersio

Prediction of chronic postsurgical pain in adults: A protocol for multivariable prediciton model development

INTRODUCTION: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is a condition that affects an estimated 10%–50% of adults, depending on the surgical procedure. CPSP often interferes with activities of daily living and may have a negative impact on quality of life, emotional and physical well-being. Clinical prediction models can help clinicians target preventive strategies towards patients at high-risk of CPSP. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop a clinically applicable and generalisable prediction model for CPSP in adults. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This research will be a prospective single-centre observational cohort study in Denmark spanning approximately 1 year or until a predefined number of patients are recruited (n=1526). Adult patients aged 18 years and older scheduled to undergo surgery will be recruited at Aarhus University Hospital. The primary outcome is CPSP 3 months after surgery defined as average pain intensity at rest or on movement ≥3 on numerical rating scale (NRS) within the past week, and/or average pain interference ≥3 on NRS among any of seven short-form Brief Pain Inventory items in the past week (general activity, mood, walking ability, normal work (including housework), relations with other people, sleep and enjoyment of life). Logistic regression will be used to conduct multivariate analysis. Predictive model performance will be evaluated by discrimination, calibration and model classification. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This research has been approved by Central Region Denmark and will be conducted in accordance with the Danish Data Protection Act and Declaration of Helsinki. Study findings will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publication. A CPSP risk calculator (CPSP-RC) will be developed based on predictors retained in the final models. The CPSP-RC will be made available online and as a mobile application to be easily accessible for clinical use and future research including validation and clinical impact assessments. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04866147

Transversus Abdominis Plane Catheter Bolus Analgesia after Major Abdominal Surgery

Purpose. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks have been shown to reduce pain and opioid requirements after abdominal surgery. The aim of the present case series was to demonstrate the use of TAP catheter injections of bupivacaine after major abdominal surgery. Methods. Fifteen patients scheduled for open colonic resection surgery were included. After induction of anesthesia, bilateral TAP catheters were placed, and all patients received a bolus dose of 20 mL bupivacaine 2.5 mg/mL with epinephrine 5 μg/mL through each catheter. Additional bolus doses were injected bilaterally 12, 24, and 36 hrs after the first injections. Supplemental pain treatment consisted of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and gabapentin. Intravenous morphine was used as rescue analgesic. Postoperative pain was rated on a numeric rating scale (NRS, 0–10) at regular predefined intervals after surgery, and consumption of intravenous morphine was recorded. Results. The TAP catheters were placed without any technical difficulties. NRS scores were ≤3 at rest and ≤5 during cough at 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, and 36 hrs after surgery. Cumulative consumption of intravenous morphine was 28 (23–48) mg (median, IQR) within the first 48 postoperative hours. Conclusion. TAP catheter bolus injections can be used to prolong analgesia after major abdominal surgery

Making sense of phantom limb pain

Phantom limb pain (PLP) impacts the majority of individuals who undergo limb amputation. The PLP experience is highly heterogenous in its quality, intensity, frequency and severity. This heterogeneity, combined with the low prevalence of amputation in the general population, has made it difficult to accumulate reliable data on PLP. Consequently, we lack consensus on PLP mechanisms, as well as effective treatment options. However, the wealth of new PLP research, over the past decade, provides a unique opportunity to re-evaluate some of the core assumptions underlying what we know about PLP and the rationale behind PLP treatments. The goal of this review is to help generate consensus in the field on how best to research PLP, from phenomenology to treatment. We highlight conceptual and methodological challenges in studying PLP, which have hindered progress on the topic and spawned disagreement in the field, and offer potential solutions to overcome these challenges. Our hope is that a constructive evaluation of the foundational knowledge underlying PLP research practices will enable more informed decisions when testing the efficacy of existing interventions and will guide the development of the next generation of PLP treatments

A multicomponent intervention to optimise nurseepatient communication in the intensive care unit: A mixed-methods acceptability and feasibility study

Background Mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units may experience communication challenges owing to intubation, which affects nurse–patient communication. Several strategies may optimise communication, but only one previous study has tested a multicomponent intervention. Implementing such an intervention can be challenging because communication strategies may be set aside by lifesaving care tasks and procedures. In a previous study, we designed a communication intervention based on pre-existing clinical methods and evidence-based approaches. The present study evaluated the intervention to determine if it was necessary to adjust its components and the implementation strategy. Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and assess nurses’ acceptability of a patient-centred, multicomponent communication intervention prototype in an intensive care unit. Methods The overall frame was the Medical Research Council's framework for developing complex interventions. Indicators of feasibility and acceptability were used for the evaluation. A mixed-methods design was applied including a survey with open-ended text boxes and qualitative observations as data sources. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data were explored using content analysis. Data were compiled and displayed in a side-by-side comparison. The data were collected between September 2020 and March 2021. Nurses from four intensive care units at a university hospital in Denmark participated in the study. All nurses who were on active duty during the implementation of the intervention were enrolled for the survey and participant observations. Results Overall, the results provided insight into the feasibility based on fidelity and context as well as nurses’ acceptability based on adherence, appropriateness, convenience, and effectiveness. Qualitative and quantitative results yielded partially contrasting findings but highlighted how the intervention may be optimised to enhance fit with clinical practice and overcome implementation challenges. Conclusion The intervention was feasible and acceptable. However, implementation needs to be repeated to allow nurses to fully understand and use the intervention

High prevalence of persistent pain 6 months after arthroscopic subacromial decompression and/or acromioclavicular joint resection

Purpose: The aims of this prospective study were to determine the prevalence of pain 6 months after arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) and/or acromioclavicular joint resection (AC resection), to reveal causes of the pain, and to identify risk factors for persistent pain. Methods: Preoperatively, patients were tested for their endogenous capacity to modulate pain and completed questionnaires concerning psychological vulnerability. Patients with pain 6 months after surgery were examined by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon to reveal any shoulder pathology responsible for the pain. Results: Data from 101 patients were available for analysis 6 months after surgery. Thirty-six patients had persistent pain: 32 underwent examination by the surgeon who identified shoulder pathology in ten patients, but not in the remaining 22 in whom ongoing insurance case, unemployment, and a general tendency to worry were risk factors for persistent pain. Conclusion: The prevalence of persistent pain 6 months after ASD and/or AC resection was 35.6% (95% CI 26.1–45.8%) and the proportion of patients with shoulder pathology was 9.9%. An association between ongoing insurance case, unemployment, general tendency to worry (t-STAI), and unexplained persistent pain 6 months after surgery was found