EfCNNa is an annual and major event in critical care, in which doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals discuss various topics, searching for ways to improve patient critical care. The conference published its mission statements and objectives including promoting cooperation between critical care nurses and promoting the recognition of critical care nursing as a specialty, to represent critical care nurses and provide a voice for them with policy makers. The conference also promoted cooperation between critical care nurses and other healthcare staff (and commercial companies) to promote education and research in the field of critical care, as well as establishing practice, education and workforce management standards. This objectives were reflected in the materials and discussion seen at the conference.
Elcam was proud to be among the companies displaying at this important event this year. Our presence at EfCNNa is a great opportunity for Elcam not only to present our products to users but also to receive their important feedback in order to learn more about the needs of ICU nurses in the field. This blog is a short summary of what we have learned at the conference and the topics we felt were most discussed.
Sepsis and Awareness to Infection
A poster published by University Hospital of Bratsilava, Hospital Ruzinov ICU- Bratislava, Saint Elizabeth College of Health and Social Work in Bratislava, reviewed sepsis as a serious problem for nursing staff. The treatment of sepsis takes place mostly in the ICU and consist of antibiotics administration and surgical removal of the sepsis bearing area (if required). Treatment is given by regular and specialized nurses. The prognosis is not a good one, with mortality rates not decreasing in the last decade and remaining at 60%. Stijn Blot claimed in his talk that 30% of HAIs can be prevented. He called for high awareness as a means to prevent infection. With sepsis being caused in many cases by other, more localized infections, this is an interesting point that needs to be reviewed further.
The poster recommends nurses to be educated in the latest sepsis care methods. We recommend that you take a look at our blog regarding Early Goal Directed Therapy, which is known to assist in sepsis management.
Nursing Workload
A poster published by the School of Nursing in Sao Paulo, Brazil reviews the nurses’ workload in Brazilian hospitals between the years 2012 (Sept-Dec) and 2016 (June-August). The study authors Elaine Machado de Oliveira, Silvia Regina Secoli and Katia Grillo Padilha, used the Nursing Activities Score (NAS) as a tool to estimate nursing workload in 8 ICU departments in Brazil. The poster shows data to support that both the nursing workload and the risk of mortality have increased in Brazilian ICUs. The study is important to adjust nursing professionals according to workload and severity of patients’ conditions. The graphs in the poster indicate interesting finds; the first is that there is a negative correlation between nurses’ workload and the quality of treatment. Another find is that patients who come to the ICU after surgery increase the workload of critical nurses. Both these findings were supported by lectures presented at the conference.
An interesting find regarding nurse workload and patient care in the ICU was presented in a lecture by the Karolinska University Hospital. It showed that although the patient/ nurse ratio is reduced, so is the length if the ICU stay. No difference in ICU mortality could be found with relation to nurse workload. Its obvious nursing workload is increasing but its effect is not all negative. Elcam Marvelous helps nurses to complete their duties faster, take a look at his infographic to learn how Marvelous saves nurses time.
Double check for High Risk Medication
A poster published by MPH Galilee Medical center discusses the implementation of a procedure for double checking high risk medication administration in ICU general and evaluating its efficiency. The results corroborate the assumption that practicing correct independent double checking, supervision, real-time feedback and reflective debriefing after each error report are among the components important to efficient implementation and reducing medication administration errors. Read more about working with high risk materials and their safe administration.
Adverse Events, Nurses’ Workload and Patient Condition Severity
In a lecture regarding adverse events, presented by the Catholic University of Portugal and UNESP, a claim was made that 50% of adverse events could be prevented. A study was presented correlating patient condition severity, nurses’ workload and adverse events. Results show a positive correlation between adverse events and patient severity but a negative correlation between nurse workload and adverse events. At first these result seem to contradict other studies previously published in this area, but they are explained by improved ICU staff management and dimensioning.
Although patient condition severity is predictive of adverse event probability of occurrence, patient condition severity (as demonstrated by admission type) is not predictive of the actual workload of nurses during the first day of ICU stay (despite ICU nurses’ conceptions and expectation to the contrary). This was proven in a study presented by students from the School of Nursing in the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Participants who have login credentials can download the abstract book of the conference.
At Elcam we believe that education of medical staff is important to improving patient care. Part of this education is developing nurses’ awareness to using improved tools and safer equipment in the ICU and at the hospital in general. We believe this is very important to improving patient care, while also ensuring staff safety and this is what we strive to do with our line of Safety products.
Resources:
http://www.efccna.org/about/objectives
http://www.efccna.org/congress2017
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stijn-blot-456ba51/
