To assess self-reported practices and knowledge of nurses and prescribers (i.e., physicians and nurse practitioners) on intravenous fluid therapy, and to evaluate how this is documented through a clinical documentation review.
Multicentre cross-sectional study, between April 2022 and July 2022, across 13 wards from four Dutch hospitals.
A survey study was conducted to assess self-reported practices related to intravenous fluid therapy. A 12-item questionnaire evaluated knowledge. To gain insights into documentation practices, a retrospective chart review was performed. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, with group differences analysed using the chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate.
Three hundred and four healthcare professionals completed the questionnaire (92% nurses). The majority of prescribers (n = 20/25; 80%) expected that nurses would start, stop or change intravenous fluid therapy. Overall, the median number of correct answers to knowledge questions was eight (IQR 7–9, range 0–12); four participants (1%) answered all knowledge questions correctly. Knowledge about the composition of sodium chloride 0.9% solution was limited. Analysis of patient charts revealed that 54% (196/362) received intravenous fluids, most commonly 0.9% sodium chloride infusion (168/195; 86%), although the indication was described in 3% (6/196). Thirty-one percent (61/196) of patients received intravenous fluids to keep the vein open (< 30 mL/h).
The study identified shared responsibility, a knowledge gap, and limited documentation concerning intravenous fluids. Prescribers expect nurses to adjust intravenous fluids without consulting a prescriber, which aligns with what nurses do, although they are not legally authorised. Given the limited documentation of the indication for intravenous fluids, it is plausible that several patients received intravenous fluids unnecessarily.
The perceived shared responsibility presents an opportunity to develop a protocol engaging both prescribers and nurses, aiming to guide more targeted infusion therapy.
Reducing unnecessary infusions to keep-the-vein-open can help eliminate low-value care.
CROSS guideline.
No patient or public contribution.
To better develop and understand the practice of rooming-in in adult care, this study aims to explore the perceptions of the three most important stakeholders: nurses, patients, and family members.
A cross sectional survey study in a university medical centre in the Netherlands.
A convenience sample was drawn from nurses, adult patients, and family members across ten general wards. Data of patients and family members were collected through online questionnaires, developed and validated prior to the study. Their responses were summarised using descriptive statistics. For the nurses, data were obtained by analysing responses to an open-ended question from an existing questionnaire, using thematic analysis.
The sample consisted of 364 nurses, 26 patients, and 35 family members. Thematic analysis of the nursing data revealed four themes: (1) reducing the workload of nurses, (2) optimising patient recovery, (3) unclear policy and inadequate facilities, and (4) complexities for nurses. Regarding the perceptions of patients and family members, more than 75% perceived that rooming-in enhanced patients' sense of safety. Additionally, 54.1% of family members indicated that rooming-in improved their understanding of medical information. For most patients (57.7%) and family members (62.9%), the rules and conditions for rooming-in were not clear. Moreover, 65.7% of family members reported experiencing physical burden. Both patients and family members rated rooming-in with a median of 8 out of 10.
According to nurses, patients, and family members, rooming-in may be beneficial in reducing nurses' workload, enhancing patient safety, and improving family understanding of medical information.
Given the ambiguity surrounding rooming-in policies in adult care, clear guidelines and their implementation are essential for ensuring their success.
Rooming-in can positively contribute to adult care by facilitating family involvement.
STROBE statement.
No patient or public contribution.
To investigate factors influencing the implementation of advanced practice nursing roles within healthcare organisations in seven European countries from the perspective of advanced practice nurses.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted between September 2021 and December 2022, involving advanced practice nurses from Belgium, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands. The countries were selected to represent different stages of implementing advanced practice nursing roles, from emerging to well-established.
A self-administered questionnaire was used to address five domains: patient care, practice patterns, policy and legal, educational and workforce-related factors. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests and correspondence analysis were employed to identify patterns and country-specific differences across these domains of implementation factors.
A total of 491 advanced practice nurses participated in the study. While almost three-quarters of the participants indicated satisfaction with their job, the study highlighted multifaceted factors influencing the implementation of advanced practice nursing roles across countries. The Netherlands, Ireland and Belgium reported mainly facilitators, whereas Finland, Iceland and Germany noted barriers or a lack of knowledge. Spain mostly reported neutral or moderate positions. Key challenges included role ambiguity, interprofessional collaboration gaps, limited managerial support, workload imbalances, limited mentorship and underutilised competencies. Results also indicated that advanced practice nurses are partially hindered by operating in isolation from other professions.
The findings emphasise the need for robust organisational support, interprofessional collaboration and clear role definitions to facilitate the integration of advanced practice nursing roles. Addressing professional isolation through networking and mentorship is crucial to sustaining the advanced practice nursing workforce.
Policy should prioritise support for advanced practice nursing, including structured mentoring and networking opportunities. Further research on advanced practice nurses' well-being and long-term role sustainability in Europe is recommended.
What problem did the study address? What were the main findings? Where and on whom will the research have an impact?
This study reported factors influencing advanced practice nurse role implementation across seven European countries with different levels of role development. Key challenges included role ambiguity, interprofessional collaboration gaps and limited support. The findings can guide healthcare managers and policymakers on the key factors to consider when integrating advanced practice nursing roles into their teams.
To map interventions in the sexuality of men with stomas.
Scoping review, following JBI and PRISMA-ScR guidelines to report results.
Databases consulted were PubMed, via National Library of Medicine, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Brazilian Electronic Library of Thesis and Dissertations, CAPES Catalogue of Thesis and Dissertations and Open Access Scientific Repository of Portugal. Texts were read by independent reviewers, with no time or language restrictions.
The final sample included 10 studies. Data were synthesised and grouped for its similarity to approach models, preoperative orientations, self-care promotion, collecting pouch hygiene and safety, sexual health discussion and education, construction of bonds and sexual function evaluation.
Interventions in the sexuality of men with stomas included adherence to models for approaching sexuality, focusing on the permission and coparticipation of the patient, open conversations on the topic, self-care promotion, collecting pouch hygiene and safety, encouragement to the creation of bonds, sexual function evaluation in pre- and postoperative periods and individual and/or collective sexual health education.
This study contributes to the sexuality of men with stomas. It identified recommendations to approach and conduct the topic at hand, addressing the rehabilitation process since the surgery to place the stoma is considered.
This study addressed scientific literature on the sexuality of men with stomas. Most were from Europe and results demonstrated a gap in knowledge. This research will impact the stoma therapy research, affecting teams involved in the care to men with stomas, encouraging reflections on the sexuality of these patients.
This study complies with the PRISMA-ScR.
There was no patient or public contribution.
The protocol of this scoping review was registered in the Open Science Framework, registered under DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/X9DSC. It can be accessed through the following link: https://osf.io/x9dsc/?view_only=a9c62ef6c11f44499f7b2bfe1fe379f9.
To identify and synthesise nurses' experiences of competence in lifestyle counselling with adult patients in healthcare settings.
Modifiable lifestyle risk behaviours contribute to an increased prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide. Lifestyle counselling is part of nurses' role which enables them to make a significant contribution to patients' long-term health in various healthcare contexts, but requires particular competence.
Qualitative systematic literature review and meta-aggregation.
The review was guided by Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for conducting synthesis of qualitative studies. PRISMA-checklist guided the review process. Relevant original studies were search from databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Medic and Psych Articles, Ebscho Open Dissertations and Web of Science). After researcher consensus was reached and quality of the studies evaluated, 20 studies were subjected to meta-aggregation.
From 20 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, 75 findings were extracted and categorised into 13 groups based on their meaning, resulting in the identification of 5 synthesised findings for competence description: Supporting healthy lifestyle adherence, creating interactive and patient-centred counselling situations, acquiring competence through clinical experience and continuous self-improvement, collaborating with other professionals and patients, planning lifestyle counselling and managing work across various stages of the patient's disease care path.
The review provides an evidence base that can be used to support nurses' competence in lifestyle counselling when working with adult patients in healthcare settings. Lifestyle counselling competence is a complex and rather abstract phenomenon. The review identified, analysed and synthesised the evidence derived from nurses' experience which shows that lifestyle counselling competence is a multidimensional entity which relates to many other competencies within nurses' work.
Recognising the competencies of nurses in lifestyle counselling for adult patients can stimulate nurses' motivation. The acquisition of these competencies can have a positive impact on patients' lives and their health.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
The research may enhance nurses' competence in lifestyle counselling, leading to improved health outcomes, better adherence to recommendations and overall well-being. It may also drive the development of interventions, improving healthcare delivery in lifestyle counselling.
The review was undertaken and reported using the PRISMA guidelines.
Blinded for the review.