Worldwide prevalence of inadequate work ability among hospital nursing personnel: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose To estimate the worldwide pooled prevalence of inadequate work ability among hospital nursing personnel using the Work Ability Index (WAI). Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods A systematic search was conducted on Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scielo, PsychInfo, CINAHL, Nursing and Allied Health, LILACS, and Google Scholar from inception to July 2021 to identify observational studies on work ability among hospital nursing personnel using the WAI. Two researchers independently completed the study selection, quality assessments, and data extraction on the prevalence of inadequate work ability that was pooled using the random effects model. Finally, subgroup analyses were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity. Findings A total of 42 studies were included, consisting of 24,728 subjects worldwide from 14 countries. Of these, 35 studies were included in the meta-analytical analyses. The worldwide pooled prevalence of inadequate work ability among hospital nursing personnel was 24.7% (95% CI = 20.2%-29.4%). High levels of heterogeneity were detected in all studies. Prevalence was higher in studies where samples were composed of nurses and nursing assistive personnel (26.8%; 95% CI = 22.4%-31.5%) than in those of nurses alone (22.2%; 95% CI = 13.1%-32.9%) and in studies where the sample was over 40 (28.1%; 95% CI = 19.5%-37.5%) than in those with a sample under that age (22.4%; 95% CI = 15.8%-29.7%). Conclusions Almost one in four members of hospital nursing staff in the world has inadequate work ability and therefore are at risk of several negative outcomes during their working life. These prevalence data correspond to the pre-pandemic period, so new studies should also be especially useful in quantifying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work ability in the hospital nursing workforce. Clinical relevance The above findings justify the launch of initiatives that include annual assessment for the early identification of inadequate work ability, offering the possibility of anticipated corrective measures. Nursing workforce older than 40 years and those belonging to the professional category of nursing assistive personnel should be priority target groups for screening and intervention to improve work ability

Ús del llenguatge estandarditzat Nursing Interventions Classification per a la mesura de la intensitat de cures infermeres a una unitat de crítics

Els resultats que es van obtenir amb la tesis: “Ús del llenguatge estandarditzat Nursing Intervention Classification per a la mesura de la intensitat de cures a una unitat de crítics” són els següents: en la primera fase, a partir d’un grup d’experts i amb la tècnica Delphi en format electrònic, es va consensuar un total de 183 intervencions de la taxonomia Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) que més s’utilitzen a les unitats de crítics dels hospitals catalans. A més a més es va determinar quin temps es requereix per a cadascuna de les intervencions per portar-les a terme, seguint el mateix format que utilitza la pròpia taxonomia. Destacar que el 90% de les intervencions es va mantenir el mateix temps que la taxonomia determina per aquestes, això confirma l’adaptació d’aquesta taxonomia internacional a la nostra realitat. A partir de les intervencions consensuades a la primera fase, a la segona fase d’estudi es va portar a terme la utilització d’aquestes intervencions NIC per poder mesurar la intensitat de cures a una unitat de crítics. En aquesta fase es va poder demostrar que la taxonomia NIC permet estimar la intensitat de cures de forma individualitzada per a cada malalt. A partir d’aquest valor d’intensitat de cures es pot també estimar la plantilla de professionals infermers necessaris per a garantir unes cures qualitat i amb seguretat pel pacients. La intensitat de cures mesurada a partir de la taxonomia NIC va presentar molt bona correlació amb escales validades per a mesurar la intensitat de cures a les unitats de cures intensives com és l’escala Nursing Activities Score (NAS). Amb els resultats que es van obtenir, s’ofereix una nova eina als gestors per determinar les necessitats de professionals que tenen les UCI a priori, abans d’iniciar el torn, característica que cap de les escales de mesura actuals presenten.Los resultados que se obtuvieron con la tesis: "Uso del lenguaje estandarizado Nursing Intervention Classification para la medida de la intensidad de cuidados a una unidad de críticos" son los siguientes: en la primera fase, a partir de un grupo de expertos y con la técnica Delphi en formato electrónico, se consensuó un total de 183 intervenciones de la taxonomía Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) que más se utilizan en las unidades de críticos de los hospitales catalanes. Además se determinó qué tiempo se requiere para cada una de las intervenciones para llevarlas a cabo, siguiendo el mismo formato que utiliza la propia taxonomía. Destacar que el 90% de las intervenciones se mantuvo el mismo tiempo que la taxonomía determina por estas, esto confirma la adaptación de esta taxonomía internacional a nuestra realidad. A partir de las intervenciones consensuadas en la primera fase, en la segunda fase de estudio se llevó a cabo la utilización de estas intervenciones NIC para poder medir la intensidad de cuidados a una unidad de críticos. En esta fase se pudo demostrar que la taxonomía NIC permite estimar la intensidad de cuidados de forma individualizada para cada enfermo. A partir de este valor de intensidad de cuidados se puede también estimar la plantilla de profesionales enfermeros necesarios para garantizar unos cuidados calidad y con seguridad por pacientes. La intensidad de cuidados medida a partir de la taxonomía NIC presentó muy buena correlación con escalas validadas para medir la intensidad de cuidados en las unidades de cuidados intensivos como es la escala Nursing Activities Score (NAS). Con los resultados que se obtuvieron, se ofrece una nueva herramienta a los gestores para determinar las necesidades de profesionales que tienen las UCI a priori, antes de iniciar el turno, característica que ninguna de las escalas de medida actuales presentan.The results obtained with the thesis: "Use of the standardized language Nursing Intervention Classification for the measurement of the intensity of care in a unit of critics" are the following: in the first phase, from a group of experts and with the Delphi technique in electronic format, a total of 183 interventions of the taxonomy Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) were chosen of the most used in the critical care units of Catalan hospitals. In addition, it was determined which time is required for each of the interventions to carry them out, following the same format used by the taxonomy itself. Emphasize that 90% of the interventions remained the same time that the taxonomy determined by these, this confirms the adaptation of this international taxonomy to our reality. Based on the consensus interventions in the first phase, the use of these NIC interventions were carried out in the second phase of study to be able to measure the intensity of care in a unit of critics. In this phase, it could be shown that the NIC taxonomy estimates the intensity of care in an individualized way for each patient. Based on this intensity of care, it is also possible to estimate the workforce of the nursing professionals required to guarantee quality and safety care for the patients. The intensity of care measured from the NIC taxonomy showed a good correlation with validated scales to measure the intensity of care in intensive care units such as the Nursing Activities Score scale (NAS). With the results obtained, a new tool is offered to the managers to determine the needs of professionals who have the ICU a priori, before starting the turn, characteristic that none of the current measurement scales present

Defining competencies for nurse anaesthetists: a Delphi study

Aim: to define the competencies of nurse anaesthetists in the hospitals of Catalonia on the basis of their clinical practice through a consensus-building process. Design: we used the Delphi method to determine consensus among a group of 16 nurse anaesthetists. Methods: between February and June 2020, we administered a questionnaire of 142 questions distributed among seven domains: expert, communicator, collaborator, manager, health advocate, scholar and professional. Two rounds were conducted. Results: in round 1, 18 competencies were discarded and nine had inconclusive results. Eighteen competencies were proposed by participants. The nine competencies with inconclusive results and the 18 newly proposed competencies were considered in round 2. In round 2, three of these 27 competencies tested were discarded, and consensus was reached on the other 24. Conclusion: health education and the empowerment of the patient and family are fundamental pillars in the practice of nurse anaesthetists in Spain, especially in pre-anaesthetic assessment and pain care. These areas of practice can help define competencies in other countries where the profession of nurse anaesthetist is less developed. Impact: the lack of regulation of the competencies of nurse anaesthetists leads to great variability in training and practice. The results can help in their standardization in Spain and in other countries lacking regulation. Our approach can also help policymakers and hospital administrators in health systems that are undergoing the process of regulation. The regulation of the competencies of nurse anaesthetists will allow them to contribute their expertise to the health-illness continuum, increasing safety and improving the quality of care

Defining competencies for nurse anaesthetists: a Delphi study

Aim: To define the competencies of nurse anaesthetists in the hospitals of Catalonia on the basis of their clinical practice through a consensus-building process. Design: We used the Delphi method to determine consensus among a group of 16 nurse anaesthetists. Methods: Between February and June 2020, we administered a questionnaire of 142 questions distributed among seven domains: expert, communicator, collaborator, manager, health advocate, scholar and professional. Two rounds were conducted. Results: In round 1, 18 competencies were discarded and nine had inconclusive results. Eighteen competencies were proposed by participants. The nine competencies with inconclusive results and the 18 newly proposed competencies were considered in round 2. In round 2, three of these 27 competencies tested were discarded, and consensus was reached on the other 24. Conclusion: Health education and the empowerment of the patient and family are fundamental pillars in the practice of nurse anaesthetists in Spain, especially in pre-anaesthetic assessment and pain care. These areas of practice can help define competencies in other countries where the profession of nurse anaesthetist is less developed. Impact: The lack of regulation of the competencies of nurse anaesthetists leads to great variability in training and practice. The results can help in their standardization in Spain and in other countries lacking regulation. Our approach can also help policymakers and hospital administrators in health systems that are undergoing the process of regulation. The regulation of the competencies of nurse anaesthetists will allow them to contribute their expertise to the health-illness continuum, increasing safety and improving the quality of care

Education on Vaccination Competence: an Intensive Course for Skillful Health Science Students

Background: Vaccination is one of the most successful and cost-effective interventions for public health. Studies have shown that health professionals who have good knowledge and positive attitudes towards vaccination are more likely to provide effective vaccination protection to people, including themselves. Therefore, health science students must acquire evidencebased knowledge during their education to meet the challenges of healthcare. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and feedback of health science students who participated in the Educating Vaccination Competence (EDUVAC) Intensive Course. Methods: A five-day Intensive Course was implemented for health science students, which included a pre-assignment. The EDUVAC Intensive Course used different teaching methods (lectures, workshops, interactive games, discussions), group work, study visits, and cultural programs to encourage students’ motivation. For the purpose of the study, students filled out an online questionnaire after giving informed consent. Results: Sample consisted of 31 health science students from five European Higher Institutions. They had very good knowledge on most knowledge questions. In the post measurement it was significantly greater and equal to 81%, p<0.001. Almost all students (93.5%) totally agreed that “It is important for adults to receive all recommended vaccines according to national guidelines”. The statement “I have had an active attitude and participation in the Intensive Course” received 80.6% total agreement. Over 90.3% rated the Intensive Course as “excellent” or “above average”. Conclusions: After completing the EDUVAC Intensive Course, students felt confident in their vaccination knowledge and skills, which benefited their professional development