Using Video to Describe the Patient-Controlled Analgesia Pump Programming Process: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps are complex medical devices frequently used for postoperative pain control. Differences in how nurses program PCA pumps can lead to preventable medication errors.

Purpose: To describe similarities and differences in how surgical nurses program PCA pumps.

Improving patient care through student leadership in team quality improvement projects.

In partnership with a major medical center, senior-level nursing students completed a root cause analysis and implementation plan to address a unit-specific quality issue. To evaluate the project, unit leaders were asked their perceptions of the value of the projects and impact on patient care, as well as to provide exemplars depicting how the student root cause analysis work resulted in improved patient outcome and/or unit processes. Liaisons noted benefits of having an RCA team, with positive impact on patient outcomes and care processes.

Financial implications of starting a mobility protocol in a surgical intensive care unit.

A review of the literature revealed that there was a dearth of information regarding the financial impact of implementing a mobility program in an intensive care unit. The purpose of this article was to identify and quantify costs and cost-benefit from implementing a mobility protocol. Factors to be considered when implementing a mobility program in an intensive care unit are identified and discussed.

Implications of nurse-physician relations: report of a successful intervention.

Given the evidence linking medical errors to ineffective communication, strategies for improving communication among health care professionals must be implemented. The purpose of this article was to examine the effect of a collaborative intervention on improving communication patterns between nurses and physicians on two study units. The intervention consisted of two nurses and two physicians (per unit) meeting together (8 hours total) to collaboratively develop a solution to communication issues on their respective units.