Performed and missed nursing care in Swiss acute care hospitals: Conceptual considerations and psychometric evaluation of the German MISSCARE questionnaire

To have at hand a reliable and valid questionnaire to assess performed and missed nursing care in a Swiss acute care context.; Regular monitoring of performed and missed nursing care is crucial for nurse leaders to make evidence-based decisions. As foundation, we developed a conceptual definition. Based on this, we decided to translate and adapt the MISSCARE.; In this methodological study, our newly developed German MISSCARE and previously used BERNCA-R were tested in a pilot study using a quantitative crossover design in a sample of 1030 nurses and midwives in three Swiss acute care hospitals. Data were analyzed descriptively, then using exploratory factor analysis and Rasch modeling.; We obtained preliminary evidence that the German MISSCARE is sufficiently reliable and valid to measure performed and missed nursing care in our context but would benefit from structural adjustments. In contrast, the BERNCA-R proved insufficiently reliable for our purposes and context.; Our conceptual definition was essential for the development of the German MISSCARE. Our results support the decision to use this questionnaire.; The adapted German MISSCARE will allow both monitoring of performed and missed nursing care over time and benchmarking of hospitals

Monitoring the impact of the DRG payment system on nursing service context factors in Swiss acute care hospitals : study protocol

With this study protocol, a research program is introduced. Its overall aim is to prepare the instruments and to conduct the first monitoring of nursing service context factors at three university and two cantonal hospitals in Switzerland prior to the introduction of the reimbursement system based on Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) and to further develop a theoretical model as well as a methodology for future monitoring following the introduction of DRGs.Mit diesem Studienprotokoll wird ein Forschungsprogramm eingeführt. Dessen Ziel ist das Vorbereiten der Instrumente und das Durchführen des ersten Monitorings von Pflegekontextfaktoren an drei Universitäts- und zwei Kantonsspitälern in der Schweiz noch vor Einführung der DRG-basierten Finanzierung, sowie darauf aufbauend das Weiterentwickeln des theoretischen Modells und der dazu gehörenden Methodologie für zukünftige Monitorings nach Einführung der DRGs

Randomized clinical trial to evaluate a cancer pain self-management intervention for outpatients.

Objective Unrelieved pain is common in patients with advanced cancer. Although psychoeducational interventions were found to decrease pain, effects were moderate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a pain self-management intervention compared with usual care and to explore participants' experiences with pain management and study participation. Methods A multicenter randomized controlled trial design with post-trial interviews was used. Outpatients with cancer pain and their family caregivers were recruited from three Swiss university hospitals. The intervention group (IG) received the six-week intervention consisting of education, skills building, and nurse coaching. The control group (CG) received usual care. Outcome variables were analyzed using multilevel models. Interpretive description guided the qualitative study part. Results Twenty-one patients with advanced cancer and seven family caregivers completed the study. The group x time effect showed a statistically significant decrease in average pain (P ​= ​0.04), but no significant group x time effect for worst pain (P ​= ​0.06). Pain scores, pain-related knowledge, Pain Management Index, self-efficacy, and performance status improved in the IG (P ​< ​0.05). Almost all of the interviewed participants perceived the pain management diary, tailored intervention sessions, and weekly support as useful. None experienced study participation as burdensome. Conclusions This study was the first to test the efficacy of a psychoeducational cancer pain self-management intervention in a German-speaking context, with most patients receiving palliative care. Clinicians can recommend the use of pain management diaries. Tailoring interventions to an individual's situation and dynamic pain trajectory may improve patients' pain self-management. Registration number This study has been registered via ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02713919.https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02713919?term=NCT02713919&amp;draw=2&amp;rank=1

The nursing contribution to ethical decision making

Background: In the neonatal care units of the University Hospitals of Zurich and Bern, the nurse´s role in ethical decision-making is well established. However, nurses often reported uncertainty with regard to introducing the premature infant’s situation from the nursing perspective in ethics rounds. Aims: To empower neonatal nurses in fulfilling their role in the multiprofessional decision-making process, we performed a practice development project. On the basis of the Iowa model we developed a checklist for presenting the nursing history of premature infants in an ethically competent and responsible way. Conclusions: The ‘checklist for nursing assessment in the context of ethical decision-making’, equips nurses for their professional contribution to ethics rounds, making them better prepared to present the nursing perspective in a structured and thorough manner. Implications for practice: * The Iowa model supports practice development even with limited data availability * The instrument invigorates the neonatal nurse´s role in the multiprofessional ethical decision-making process * It is crucial to involve peers in practice developmen

A hospital-wide evaluation of delirium prevalence and outcomes in acute care patients : a cohort study

Background: Delirium is a well-known complication in cardiac surgery and intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, in many other settings its prevalence and clinical consequences are understudied. The aims of this study were: (1) To assess delirium prevalence in a large, diverse cohort of acute care patients classified as either at risk or not at risk for delirium; (2) To compare these two groups according to defined indicators; and (3) To compare delirious with non-delirious patients regarding hospital mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay, nursing hours and cost per case. Methods: This cohort study was performed in a Swiss university hospital following implementation of a delirium management guideline. After excluding patients aged < 18 years or with a length of stay (LOS) < 1 day, 29′278 patients hospitalized in the study hospital in 2014 were included. Delirium period prevalence was calculated based on a Delirium Observation Scale (DOS) score ≥ 3 and / or Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) scores ≥4. Results: Of 10′906 patients admitted, DOS / ICDSC scores indicated delirium in 28.4%. Delirium was most prevalent (36.2–40.5%) in cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, trauma, radiotherapy and neurology patients. It was also common in geriatrics, internal medicine, visceral surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery and cranio-maxillo-facial surgery patients (prevalence 21.6–28.6%). In the unadjusted and adjusted models, delirious patients had a significantly higher risk of inpatient mortality, stayed significantly longer in the ICU and hospital, needed significantly more nursing hours and generated significantly higher costs per case. For the seven most common ICD-10 diagnoses, each diagnostic group’s delirious patients had worse outcomes compared to those with no delirium. Conclusions: The results indicate a high number of patients at risk for delirium, with high delirium prevalence across all patient groups. Delirious patients showed significantly worse clinical outcomes and generated higher costs. Subgroup analyses highlighted striking variations in delirium period-prevalence across patient groups. Due to the high prevalence of delirium in patients treated in care centers for radiotherapy, visceral surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery, cranio-maxillofacial surgery and oral surgery, it is recommended to expand the current focus of delirium management to these patient groups

Assessing the impact of DRGs on patient care and professional practice in Switzerland (IDoC) : a potential model for monitoring and evaluating healthcare reform.

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: The starting point of the interdisciplinary project "Assessing the impact of diagnosis related groups (DRGs) on patient care and professional practice" (IDoC) was the lack of a systematic ethical assessment for the introduction of cost containment measures in healthcare. Our aim was to contribute to the methodological and empirical basis of such an assessment. METHODS: Five sub-groups conducted separate but related research within the fields of biomedical ethics, law, nursing sciences and health services, applying a number of complementary methodological approaches. The individual research projects were framed within an overall ethical matrix. Workshops and bilateral meetings were held to identify and elaborate joint research themes. RESULTS: Four common, ethically relevant themes emerged in the results of the studies across sub-groups: (1.) the quality and safety of patient care, (2.) the state of professional practice of physicians and nurses, (3.) changes in incentives structure, (4.) vulnerable groups and access to healthcare services. Furthermore, much-needed data for future comparative research has been collected and some early insights into the potential impact of DRGs are outlined. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the joint results we developed preliminary recommendations related to conceptual analysis, methodological refinement, monitoring and implementation

Neue Zusammenarbeitsformen mit Advanced Practice Nurses in der Grundversorgung aus Sicht von Hausärzten – eine qualitativ-explorative Studie

Zusammenfassung. Chronisch kranke und multimorbide Menschen erfordern neue Versorgungsmodelle, in denen die Zusammenarbeit der Berufsgruppen neu definiert wird. Während sich interprofessionelle Modelle international bewähren, bestehen in der Schweiz erst wenige solche Versorgungsteams. Insbesondere ist wenig bekannt über die Ansicht von Hausärzten zu neuen Versorgungsmodellen mit Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs). Deshalb untersuchten wir, wie Hausärzte mögliche Zusammenarbeitsformen mit APNs in der Grundversorgung beschreiben. Wir führten Fokusgruppeninterviews mit Hausärzten durch. Vorgängig explorierte ein Expertengremium Themen der interprofessionellen Zusammenarbeit. Die Interviews wurden mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse analysiert. Die Analyse ergab, dass den Ärzten die Beibehaltung der heutigen Versorgungsqualität wichtig ist. Sie stehen einer Zusammenarbeit mit APNs offen gegenüber, wissen aber wenig über deren Kompetenzen. Erschwerend wirkt sich zudem aus, dass die Finanzierung noch nicht geregelt ist. </jats:p