Conceptualising the quality experience for independent medical examinations: A narrative review.

Background: An independent medical examination is a unique healthcare assessment conducted by an expert health professional with the aim of providing impartial advice to key stakeholders in workers' compensation schemes regarding a worker's injury or illness. A range of dedicated guidelines provide for best practice at local and national levels, but concerns exist regarding the quality of these encounters for all involved.

Methods: A narrative review was conducted to explore quality principles underpinning practices and reporting of independent medical examinations.

Improving the pre-medical emergency team: the case for a behavioural theoretical lens.

There is mounting evidence that the pre-medical emergency team (pre-MET) of rapid response systems is underutilised in clinical practice due to suboptimal structures and processes and resource constraints. In this perspective article, we argue for examining the pre-MET through a 'Behaviour Change Wheel' lens to improve the pre-MET and maximise the associated patient safety benefits. Using pre-MET communication practices as an example, we illustrate the value of the COM-B model, where clinicians' 'capability', 'opportunity', and 'motivation' drive 'behaviour'.

Importance of specific vital signs in nurses' recognition and response to deteriorating patients: A scoping review.

Aim(s): To explore the published research related to nurses' documentation and use of vital signs in recognising and responding to deteriorating patients.

Design: Scoping review of international, peer-reviewed research studies.

Data Sources: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Complete, Medline Complete, American Psychological Association PsycInfo and Excerpta Medica were searched on 25 July 2023.

Effect of Intensive Nurse-Led Optimization of Heart Failure Medications in Patients With Heart Failure: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Prescribing of recommended medications for heart failure (HF) is suboptimal, leaving patients at a high risk of death or rehospitalization post discharge. Nurse-led titration (NLT) clinics are one strategy that could potentially improve the prescription of these medications.

Objective: The aim of this article was to determine the effect of NLT clinics on all-cause mortality, all-cause or HF rehospitalizations, and adverse effects in patients with HF.

Nurses' perceptions of point-of-care ultrasound for haemodialysis access assessment and guided cannulation: A qualitative study.

Aim: To explore nurses' perceptions of using point-of-care ultrasound for assessment and guided cannulation in the haemodialysis setting.

Background: Cannulation of arteriovenous fistulae is necessary to perform haemodialysis. Damage to the arteriovenous fistula is a frequent complication, resulting in poor patient outcomes and increased healthcare costs.

Exploring interdisciplinary communication pathways for escalating pre-medical emergency team deterioration: a mixed-methods study.

Objective To explore clinicians' use and perceptions of interdisciplinary communication pathways for escalating care within the pre-medical emergency team (pre-MET) tier of rapid response systems. Method A sequential mixed-methods study was conducted using observations and interviews. Participants were clinicians (nurses, allied health, doctors) caring for orthopaedic and general medicine patients at one hospital.

Feasibility and acceptability of an online guided self-determination program to improve diabetes self-management in young adults.

Objective: Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an online guided self-determination (GSD) program to improve diabetes self-management skills among young adults with type 1 diabetes (YAD).

Methods: An online program comprising seven structured interactive conversations was designed. A pre- and post- interventional study used a sequential, two-phase multiple method design.

Clinicians' use and perceptions of the pre-medical emergency team tier of one rapid response system: A mixed-methods study.

Background: The pre-medical emergency team (pre-MET) tier of rapid response systems facilitates early recognition and treatment of deteriorating ward patients using ward-based clinicians before a MET review is needed. However, there is growing concern that the pre-MET tier is inconsistently used.

Objective: This study aimed to explore clinicians' use of the pre-MET tier.

Development and Validation of the Medical Emergency Team-Risk Prediction Model for Clinical Deterioration in Acute Hospital Patients, at Time of an Emergency Admission.

Objectives: To develop and validate a prediction model to estimate the risk of Medical Emergency Team (MET) review, within 48 hours of an emergency admission, using information routinely available at the time of hospital admission.

Design: Development and validation of a multivariable risk model using prospectively collected data. Transparent Reporting of a multivariable model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis recommendations were followed to develop and report the prediction model.

Point-of-care ultrasound-guided cannulation versus standard cannulation in hemodialysis vascular access: A controlled random order crossover pilot feasibility study.

Background: Standard cannulation practice for hemodialysis consists of inserting needles "blindly" through skin into an arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which is more likely to cause damage. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) guided cannulation has potential for less damage; however, efficacy of this technique has not been explored. Our purpose was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of POCUS guidance for cannulation of AVFs in hemodialysis patients.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving review requests for pre-medical emergency team deterioration: a cohort study.

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of pre-medical emergency team (pre-MET) reviews, including patient characteristics, the frequency and nature of triggers and interventions and in-hospital outcomes. Methods An exploratory retrospective cohort study was performed using a medical record audit. Fifty orthopaedic and general medicine patients at a hospital in Melbourne, Australia, with requests for pre-MET reviews in 2016 were included.

Australian critical care nurses' knowledge, preparedness, and experiences of managing SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has again highlighted the crucial role of healthcare workers in case management, disease surveillance, policy development, and healthcare education and training. The ongoing pandemic demonstrates the importance of having an emergency response plan that accounts for the safety of frontline healthcare workers, including those working in critical care settings.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore Australian critical care nurses' knowledge, preparedness, and experiences of managing patients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID-19.

Critical care nurses' perceptions of essential elements for an intensive care liaison or critical care outreach nurse curriculum.

Background: For over a decade, patients experiencing clinical deterioration have been attended to by specialised nurses, the most senior of which are intensive care unit liaison nurses (ICU LNs) or critical care outreach nurses. These roles have evolved without consistent and formal recognised educational preparation. To continue to advance patient safety, an understanding of the educational requirements for these vital roles is required.

Assessment Framework for Recognizing Clinical Deterioration in Patients With ACS Undergoing PCI.

Topic: Patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention are at risk of clinical deterioration that results in similar general signs and symptoms regardless of its cause. However, specific causes and forms of clinical deterioration are associated with key differences in assessment findings. Focused clinical assessments using a modified primary survey enable nurses to rapidly identify the cause and form of clinical deterioration, facilitating targeted treatment.

Specific Elements of Team-Based Learning Used in Nursing Education: A Scoping Review.

Background: Team-based learning (TBL) is an evidence-based, highly structured teaching strategy.

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to explore the specific TBL structure and process design elements reported in nursing education studies.

Methods: A scoping review was undertaken according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews.

Use of the pre-medical emergency team tier of rapid response systems: A scoping Review.

Objective: The aim of this review was to explore use of the pre-Medical Emergency Team (pre-MET) tier of Rapid Response Systems to recognise and respond to adult ward patients experiencing early clinical deterioration.

Methods: A scoping review of studies published in English reporting on use of a pre-MET tier in adult ward patients was conducted. Three databases were searched (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE) for studies published between January 1995 and September 2020.

Modifications to medical emergency team activation criteria and implications for patient safety: A point prevalence study.

Background: Medical emergency team (MET) activation criteria are sometimes modified to minimise unnecessary MET calls in patients who have chronic physiological derangements, have limitation of medical treatment orders in place, or have recently received treatment for clinical deterioration. However, the safety implications of modifying MET activation criteria are poorly understood.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the safety of modifying MET activation criteria.

Understanding the pre-medical emergency team tier of a mature rapid response system: A content analysis of guidance documents.

Background: The pre-medical emergency team (pre-MET) tier of rapid response systems (RRSs) includes extended activation criteria to identify earlier clinical deterioration and a ward-based patient review that is undertaken by the affected patient's admitting team or covering doctors. There is limited understanding of the structure and processes of the pre-MET RRS tier that are expected to guide clinicians' actions and subsequent patient safety outcomes.

Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the structure and processes of the pre-MET RRS tier in one acute care setting.

Evaluation of Team-Based Learning to Increase Nurses' Knowledge of the Ventricular Assist Device.

Ventricular assist devices (VAD) are used to extend life expectancy for patients with advanced heart failure. Approximately 102 hospitals nationwide have a VAD program, but the majority implant only a small number of devices each year. This low-volume and high-acuity patient population can create concerns for maintaining nursing knowledge skill levels.

Team-based learning in nursing education: A scoping review.

Aims And Objectives: To explore the use and student outcomes of Team-Based Learning in nursing education.

Background: Team-Based Learning is a highly structured, evidence-based, student-centred learning strategy that enhances student engagement and facilitates deep learning in a variety of disciplines including nursing. However, the breadth of Team-Based Learning application in nursing education and relevant outcomes are not currently well understood.

Evidence-practice gaps in initial neuro-protective nursing care: A mixed methods study of Thai patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury.

Aims: This paper aims to identify the frequency and nature of evidence-practice gaps in the initial neuro-protective nursing care of patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury provided by Thai trauma nurses.

Background: Little is known about how Thai trauma nurses use evidence-based practice when providing initial neuro-protective nursing care to patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury.

Design: A mixed methods design was used to conduct this study.

Stakeholder acceptance of digital team-based learning.

Team-Based Learning (TBL) can be associated with administrative processes that are labour intensive. A commercially-available online system offered an opportunity to reduce this burden. The aims of this study were to test the feasibility of integrating digital TBL into health curricula, and to explore the experiences and perspectives of students and educators participating in digital TBL.

Point-of-care ultrasound use for vascular access assessment and cannulation in hemodialysis: A scoping review.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for access assessment and guided cannulation has become more common in hemodialysis units. The aims of this scoping review were to determine: circumstances in which renal nurses and technicians use POCUS; the barriers and facilitators; and evidence of the effects of POCUS in guiding assessment and cannulation. A search was conducted of CINAHL, Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ProQuest, Trove and Google Scholar as grey literature sources.

Evaluation of prevention of ventilator-associated infections in four Australian intensive care units.

Background: Effective approaches to practice improvement require development of tailored interventions in collaboration with knowledge users.

Objectives: To explore critical care nurses' knowledge and adherence to best practice guidelines for management of patients with an artificial airway to minimise development of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken across four intensive care units that involved three phases: (1) survey of critical care nurses regarding their current practice; (2) observation of respiratory care delivery; and (3) chart audit.