Symbiosis of Technology and Ethics: Preliminary Results of an Inquiry into the Moral Dimensions in the Use of Robotic Systems in Patient Care.

The present study aims to describe ethical and social requirements for technical and robotic systems for caregiving from the perspective of users. Users are interviewed in the ReduSys project during the development phase (prospective viewpoint) and after technology testing in the clinical setting (retrospective viewpoint). The preliminary results presented here refer to the prospective viewpoint.

Missing nurses cause missed care: is that it? Non-trivial configurations of reasons associated with missed care in Austrian hospitals - a qualitative comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Errors of omissions affect the quality of nursing care in hospitals. The Missed Nursing Care Model explains that the reasons for missed care are linked with 1) demand for patient care, 2) labor resource allocation, 3) material resource allocation, and 4) relationship and communication factors. Scientific evidence points to a lack of adequate nursing staffing as the most important factor triggering missed care. However, it remains unclear how the different theoretical reasons for missed care are interlinked with reports on missed care from the perspective of nurses in acute care settings. The aim of this study was to explore non-trivial configurations of reasons for missed care that are associated with missed care interventions from the perspective of nurses working in general units in Austrian hospitals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data collection was performed using the revised MISSCARE-Austria questionnaire. Our sample consisted of 401 nurses who provided complete data. Data were analyzed using qualitative comparative analysis. Configurational models of contextual factors, reasons for missed care, and missed nursing interventions were analyzed. RESULTS: In our study contextual factors were not consistent precursors of the reasons for missed care. Missed care was consistently present when the demand for patient care was high. A lack of labor resources, in combination with the other known reasons for missed care, was consistently observed when missed care occurred. Different configurations of reasons were found to be non-trivially associated with different types and frequencies of missed care. CONCLUSIONS: To understand the complexity of the causal mechanisms of missed care, complexity theory may be necessary. Accordingly, a theoretical framework that acknowledges that complex systems, such as missed care, are composed of multiple interacting causal components must be further developed to guide new methodical approaches to enlighten its causal mechanisms.

Effects of robotic-assisted early mobilization versus conventional mobilization in intensive care unit patients: prospective interventional cohort study with retrospective control group analysis.

BACKGROUND: Approximately one in three survivors of critical illness suffers from intensive-care-unit-acquired weakness, which increases mortality and impairs quality of life. By counteracting immobilization, a known risk factor, active mobilization may mitigate its negative effects on patients. In this single-center trial, the effect of robotic-assisted early mobilization in the intensive care unit (ICU) on patients' outcomes was investigated. METHODS: We enrolled 16 adults scheduled for lung transplantation to receive 20 min of robotic-assisted mobilization and verticalization twice daily during their first week in the ICU (intervention group: IG). A control group (CG) of 13 conventionally mobilized patients after lung transplantation was recruited retrospectively. Outcome measures included the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, muscle parameters evaluated by ultrasound, and quality of life after three months. RESULTS: During the first week in the ICU, the intervention group received a median of 6 (interquartile range 3-8) robotic-assisted sessions of early mobilization and verticalization. There were no statistically significant differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation (IG: median 126 vs. CG: 78 h), length of ICU stay, muscle parameters evaluated by ultrasound, and quality of life after three months between the IG and CG. CONCLUSION: In this study, robotic-assisted mobilization was successfully implemented in the ICU setting. No significant differences in patients' outcomes were observed between conventional and robotic-assisted mobilization. However, randomized and larger studies are necessary to validate the adequacy of robotic mobilization in other cohorts. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This single-center interventional trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05071248 on 27/08/2021.

Robot-assisted early mobilization for intensive care unit patients: Feasibility and first-time clinical use.

BACKGROUND: Early mobilization is only carried out to a limited extent in the intensive care unit. To address this issue, the robotic assistance system VEMOTION® was developed to facilitate (early) mobilization measures more easily. This paper describes the first integration of robotic assistance systems in acute clinical intensive care units. OBJECTIVE: Feasibility test of robotic assistance in early mobilization of intensive care patients in routine clinical practice. SETTING: Two intensive care units guided by anesthesiology at a German university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent elective surgery with postoperative treatment in the intensive care unit and had an estimated ventilation time over 48 h. METHODS: Participants underwent robot-assisted mobilization, scheduled for twenty-minute sessions twice a day, ten times or one week, conducted by nursing staff under actual operational conditions on the units. No randomization or blinding took place. We assessed data regarding feasible cutoff points (in brackets): the possibility of enrollment (x ≥ 50 %), duration (pre- and post-setup (x ≤ 25 min), therapy duration (x = 20 min), and intervention-related parameters (number of mobilizing professionals (x ≤ 2), intensity of training, events that led to adverse events, errors or discontinuation). Mobilizing professionals rated each mobilization regarding their physical stress (x ≤ 3) and feasibility (x ≥ 4) on a 7 Point Likert Scale. An estimated sample size of at least twenty patients was calculated. We analyzed the data descriptively. RESULTS: Within 6 months, we screened thirty-two patients for enrollment. 23 patients were included in the study and 16 underwent mobilization using robotic assistance, 7 dropped out (enrollment eligibility = 69 %). On average, 1.9 nurses were involved per therapy unit. Participants received 5.6 robot-assisted mobilizations in mean. Pre- and post-setup had a mean duration of 18 min, therapy a mean of 21 min. The robot-assisted mobilization was started after a median of 18 h after admission to the intensive care unit. We documented two adverse events (pain), twelve errors in handling, and seven unexpected events that led to interruptions or discontinuation. No serious adverse events occurred. The mobilizing nurses rated their physical stress as low (mean 2.0 ±â€¯1.3) and the intervention as feasible (mean 5.3 ±â€¯1.6). CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted mobilization was feasible, but specific safety measures should be implemented to prevent errors. Robotic-assisted mobilization requires process adjustments and consideration of unit staffing levels, as the intervention does not save staff resources or time. REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.org TRN: NCT05071248; Date: 2021/10/08; URL https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05071248. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Robot-assisted early mobilization in intensive care patients is feasible and no adverse event occurred.

External influencing factors on missed care in Austrian hospitals: Testing the theoretical antecedents of missed care using structural equation modelling.

PROBLEM: Missed Nursing Care (MNC) is an error of omission which occurs when a necessary nursing intervention is not initiated, is not completed, or when it is delayed. The MNC model explains this problem and describes four antecedents that can lead to MNC: (1) demand for patient care, (2) available human resources, (3) material resources, and (4) and relationship and communication factors. AIMS: This study aims to test the relationship between the theoretical antecedents of MNC and their impact on MNC. DESIGN: A quantitative cross-sectional study. METHODS: The Austrian version of the revised MISSCARE Survey was completed by nurses working in general hospital units between May and July 2021. Recruitment followed a respondent-driven sample via Austrian nursing education institutions and social media. One thousand six nurses fulfilled inclusion criteria. The structure of the theoretical constructs of the MNC model was tested using a confirmatory factor analysis approach. The relationships between the four antecedents and MNC were explored using structural equation modelling with 427 complete cases. RESULTS: The results support the structural validity of the revised MISSCARE Austria concerning the defined theoretical constructs, although discriminant validity and measurement error should be further investigated. The antecedent "resource allocation: labor" had a statistically significant impact on MNC: The lack of adequate nursing staff played the most important role to explain missed care in our model. CONCLUSION: In our study in Austria, MNC was mostly influenced by a lack of appropriate labor resources. Further studies exploring mediation effects and non-linear relationships may contribute to better understanding of reasons for MNC. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

[Using the TRAPD method to translate the revised MISSCARE Survey from English into German: Revised MISSCARE-Austria]. / Übersetzung des revised MISSCARE Survey zum deutschsprachigen revised MISSCARE-Austria.

Using the TRAPD method to translate the revised MISSCARE Survey from English into German: Revised MISSCARE-Austria Abstract. Background: Questionnaire translations in German-speaking nursing science rely on methods using first- and back-translation techniques despite increasing criticism. In contrast, the TRAPD method is recognized as best practice in intercultural social research. However, experience with the application of this method in German-speaking nursing science is lacking. Aim: To describe the utilization of the TRAPD method using the example of the translation of the revised MISSCARE Survey from English into German and to discuss necessary adaptations, advantages, and limitations of this approach. Methods: An adapted version of the team-based translation method TRAPD was implemented through the steps: preparation, translation, review, adjudication, pretest, and documentation, based on the GESIS guidelines for intercultural questionnaire translation. Results: The new revised MISSCARE Austria instrument consists of 85 items. For the majority of the items, equivalent terms or phrases were found that allowed for a straightforward translation. For some items an adaptation was necessary due to cultural, measurement- and construct-related aspects. Translation equivalence regarding challenging items was examined with the first author and promoted by multiple cognitive pretesting with nurses. Conclusions: Our study strengthens the argument that the TRAPD method is appropriate for translating measurement instruments in German-speaking nursing science. However, this example shows that further experience with this method is necessary for its further development for our discipline.

Assistive robotic systems in nursing care: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The use of assistive robotic systems in care is intended to relieve nursing staff. Differentiated and literature-based findings on current application possibilities, technological developments and empirical findings are necessary to enable a goal-oriented and participatory development of assistive robotic systems of care. The aim of this review was to identify assistive robotic systems and their areas of application in nursing settings. Furthermore, an overview of existing social and nursing science findings from the research field of assistive robotic systems will be described. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed based on the JBI scoping review methodology. During the period from May to August 2020, the databases MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore Digital Library were searched. In order to reflect current developments and evidence in the present literature work, a supplementary search with these same requirements was conducted in January 2022. RESULTS: The 47 included publications are divided into 15 studies, 23 technical articles and nine opinion-based articles (text-opinion). A total of 39 different assistive robotic systems were identified. There were 55% in the testing phase and 29% of the systems in the development phase. Assistive robotic systems can be divided into six fields of application: Information and patient data processing, assistance with activities of daily living, fetch and bring activities, telepresence and communication, monitoring, safety and navigation, and complex assistance systems. The description of the study findings is divided into "integration of technology and impact on practice" and "attitude and acceptance of elderly people towards assistive robotic systems". CONCLUSION: The results of the research show that the use of assistive robotic systems in care mainly take place in the context of development and testing phases. In addition to usability and acceptance issues, implementation factors must be integrated into theory-driven research projects.

Barriers and facilitators in the implementation of mobilization robots in hospitals from the perspective of clinical experts and developers.

BACKGROUND: Early mobilization can help reduce severe side effects such as muscle atrophy that occur during hospitalization. However, due to time and staff shortages in intensive and critical care as well as safety risks for patients, it is often difficult to adhere to the recommended therapy time of twenty minutes twice a day. New robotic technologies might be one approach to achieve early mobilization effectively for patients and also relieve users from physical effort. Nevertheless, currently there is a lack of knowledge regarding the factors that are important for integrating of these technologies into complex treatment settings like intensive care units or rehabilitation units. METHODS: European experts from science, technical development and end-users of robotic systems (n = 13) were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guideline to identify barriers and facilitating factors for the integration of robotic systems into daily clinical practice. They were asked about structural, personnel and environmental factors that had an impact on integration and how they had solved challenges. A latent content analysis was performed regarding the COREQ criteria. RESULTS: We found relevant factors regarding the development, introduction, and routine of the robotic system. In this context, costs, process adjustments, a lack of exemptions, and a lack of support from the manufacturers/developers were identified as challenges. Easy handling, joint decision making between the end-users and the decision makers in the hospital, an accurate process design and the joint development of the robotic system of end-users and technical experts were found to be facilitating factors. CONCLUSION: The integration and preparation for the integration of robotic assistance systems into the inpatient setting is a complex intervention that involves many parties. This study provides evidence for hospitals or manufacturers to simplify the planning of integrations for permanent use. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS-ID: DRKS00023848; registered 10/12/2020.

[The use of robotic and technical systems for early mobilization of intensive care patients: A scoping review]. / Der Einsatz von robotischen und technischen Systemen zur Frühmobilisation von Intensivpatient_innen.

The use of robotic and technical systems for early mobilization of intensive care patients: A scoping review Abstract: Background: Intensive care patients are often subjected to immobility for too long. However, when they are mobilized early, positive effects on patient outcomes, such as improvement in physical function, can be demonstrated. One of the reasons for rare mobilization is that too less therapeutic equipment is available. Aims: This paper provides an overview of previous research on early robot- or technology-assisted mobilization of intensive care patients. Which robotic and technical aids are used in studies on early mobilization of adult intensive care patients by nurses or physiotherapists? What effect of early mobilization using robotic and technical systems on patient outcomes are reported in the studies? Methods: A systematic literature search was undertaken within the Databases Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, IEEE Xplore, Scopus and WTI between May and July 2020 and in January 2022. In addition, a marginal search was performed via GoogleScolar and ResearchGate in the first search run. Results: 27 publications were included (9 RCTs, 7 texts and opinions, 3 cross-sectional studies, 2 case-control studies, 2 literature reviews, 2 case reports, 2 quasi-experimental intervention studies). It is evident that electronic bed-mounted exercise bicycles and tilt tables are the most commonly used assistive devices. There is an inconsistent data situation with regard to different patient outcomes. Conclusion: Further research on the use of technical and robotic early mobilization is, particularly in relation to different study populations, needed. Early mobilization robotics is not yet part of standard care.

Study protocol for the implementation and evaluation of a digital-robotic-based intervention for nurses and patients in a hospital: a quantitative and qualitative triangulation based on the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions.

BACKGROUND: Nurses spend part of their working time on non-nursing tasks. Unnecessary walking distances and the assumption of service activities and other non-care-related tasks take up a lot of space, which reduces the time for direct patient care and demonstrably increases the dissatisfaction of the persons involved. The REsPonSe project aims to relieve nursing staff by using a smartphone app for communication in combination with an autonomous service robot to reduce walking distances and service activities. The technical systems are tested on a nuclear medicine ward and are intended to reduce the radiation exposure of the staff. The aim of this study is to test and evaluate the use and intervention of the technical systems, the acceptance of the users and the change in the utilisation of the nursing service. In addition to findings on usability and manageability, effects on nursing practice, as well as facilitating and inhibiting contextual factors for implementation, will be identified. METHODS: The Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework for Developing and Evaluating for Complex Interventions was chosen as the theoretical basis. The data collection in the Feasibility and Evaluation phase is a triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods. Standardised observations are planned to collect data on non-care activities and walking distances, and a survey of utilisation by use of a questionnaire based on the NASA TLX. Qualitative individual interviews with patients and group discussions with nursing staff will be conducted. Statements on the subjective experiences, as well as the evaluation of the use of the digital-robotic system in the clinical setting, will be collected. The descriptive evaluation of the usage and retrieval data will provide information on duration, time, requests, and reduced contact times, as well as error and fault messages. DISCUSSION: The evaluation study will make it possible to represent a variety of perspectives from different interest groups. The results should contribute to the definition of implementation and evaluation criteria and facilitate the integration of digital-robotic assistance systems in nursing acute inpatient settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) on 16.02.2022: DRKS00028127.

Robot-assisted early mobilization of intensive care patients: a feasibility study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Early mobilization positively influences the outcome of critically ill patients, yet in clinical practice, the implementation is sometimes challenging. In this study, an adaptive robotic assistance system will be used for early mobilization in intensive care units. The study aims to evaluate the experience of the mobilizing professionals and the general feasibility of implementing robotic assistance for mobilization in intensive care as well as the effects on patient outcomes as a secondary outcome. METHODS: The study is single-centric, prospective, and interventional and follows a longitudinal study design. To evaluate the feasibility of robotic-assisted early mobilization, the number of patients included, the number of performed VEM (very early mobilization) sessions, and the number and type of adverse events will be collected. The behavior and experience of mobilizing professionals will be evaluated using standardized observations (n > 90) and episodic interviews (n > 36) before implementation, shortly after, and in routine. Patient outcomes such as duration of mechanical ventilation, loss of muscle mass, and physical activity will be measured and compared with a historical patient population. Approximately 30 patients will be included. DISCUSSION: The study will provide information about patient outcomes, feasibility, and the experience of mobilizing professionals. It will show whether robotic systems can increase the early mobilization frequency of critically ill patients. Within ICU structures, early mobilization as therapy could become more of a focus. Effects on the mobilizing professionals such as increased motivation, physical relief, or stress will be evaluated. In addition, this study will focus on whether current structures allow following the recommendation of mobilizing patients twice a day for at least 20 min. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05071248 . Date: 2021/10/21.

[Early mobilization in the intensive care unit-Are robot-assisted systems the future?] / Frühmobilisation auf der Intensivstation ­ Sind robotergestützte Systeme die Zukunft?

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit (ICU) acquired weakness is associated with reduced physical function, increased mortality and reduced quality of life, and affects about 43% of survivors of critical illness. Lacking therapeutic options, the prevention of known risk factors and implementation of early mobilization is essential. Robotic assistance devices are increasingly being studied in mobilization. OBJECTIVE: This qualitative review synthesizes the evidence of early mobilization in the ICU and focuses on the advantages of robotic assistance devices. RESULTS: Active mobilization should begin early during critical care. Interventions commencing 72 h after admission to the ICU are considered early. Mobilization interventions during critical care have been shown to be safe and reduce the time on mechanical ventilation in the ICU and the length of delirious episodes. Protocolized early mobilization interventions led to more active mobilization and increased functional independence and mobility at hospital discharge. In rehabilitation after stroke, robot-assisted training increases the chance of regaining independent walking ability, especially in more severely impaired patients, seems to be safe and increases muscle strength and quality of life in small trials. CONCLUSION: Early mobilization improves the outcome of the critically ill. Robotic devices support the gait training after stroke and are the subject of ongoing studies on early mobilization and verticalization in the intensive care setting.

Potential Uses of Assistive Robotic Systems in Acute Inpatient Care.

Potential uses of assistive robotic systems in acute inpatient care were defined based on the Framework for Complex Interventions developed by the Medical Research Council (MRC). This process of definition requires the consideration of personal-related and contextual factors.

Very Early Robot-Assisted Mobilization of Intensive Care Patients - A Scoping Review.

This scoping review gives an overview of current research activities in the field of very early mobilization with robotic devices of intensive care patients. It presents the effect of very early, robot-assisted mobilization on intensive care patients based on their outcomes.

Service Robotics in Nursing Care. The Preliminary Results of a Scoping Review.

A scoping review was prepared in the first study phase of the REsPonSe project. The objective was to gain an overview of existing literature and available evidence on the subject of service robotics in nursing care. The systematic literature search took place using the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of Science and IEEE Xplore. The titles and abstracts of 2.761 references were screened based on the inclusion criteria. A total of 31 articles were identified as relevant for the study.

Automated Mapping of LEP Nursing Data to Nursing Minimum Data Sets.

Nursing Minimum Data Sets (NMDS) intend to systematically describe nursing care. Until now NMDS have been populated with nursing data by manual data ascertainment which is inefficient. The objective of this work was to evaluate an automated mapping pipeline for transforming nursing data into an NMDS. We used LEP Nursing 3 data as source data and the Austrian and German NMDS as target formats. Based on a human expert mapping between LEP and NMDS, an automated data mapping algorithm was developed and implemented in an automatic mapping pipeline. The results show that most LEP nursing interventions can be matched to the NMDS-AT and G-NMDS and that a fully automated mapping process from LEP Nursing 3 data to NMDS-AT performs effectively and very efficiently. The shown approach can also be used to map different nursing classifications and to automatically transform point-of-care nursing data into nursing minimum data sets.

[Nursing, patient safety and the acquisition of nursing-sensitive outcomes in German hospitals]. / Pflege, Patientensicherheit und die Erfassung pflegesensitiver Ergebnisse in deutschen Krankenhäusern.

As the largest occupational group in healthcare, nurses continuously work in very close contact to patients and nursing home residents. No other professionals in the healthcare sector are involved in or responsible for so many different processes. They play a key role in, on the one hand, identifying and potentially avoiding errors and, on the other hand, in causing them. Traditionally, error handling in Germany is still strongly influenced by pointing a finger to and tabooing problematic behaviour. Structured systems for detecting errors and error reports can help to improve risk management in nursing. There is a need to develop fundamental structures like national indicators of nursing quality for systematic and valid error measurements and the structured collection of nursing-sensitive outcomes at a national level.

[The WHO pilot study on Family Health Nursing in Germany: perspectives of families in need of care--a qualitative study]. / Die WHO-Pilotstudie zur Family Health Nurse in Deutschland: Sichtweisen von Familien zur Familiengesundheitspflege - Eine qualitative Untersuchung.

In the present study families were asked about their experiences with the first Family Health Nurses (FHN) educated in Germany according to WHO's concept. This education enables nurses and midwives to provide families and individuals a low threshold access to health care services. The study's aim was to gather information on how families perceive FHN's help and whether the curriculum meets their needs. Using a qualitative approach, eight families, for different reasons all caring for a next of kin at home, were interviewed. Data analysis followed Philip Burnard's method. Families describe FHN's assistance as "care and health related activities"or "managing everyday life". Furthermore they mention "Case Management" as part of FHN's activities. FHN's support contributes to stabilise family's situation. In addition, this analysis shows that Family Health Nurses correspond to the curriculum's contents in their daily work. Altogether, families with different care related, health related, and social related needs can benefit from FHN's support. This type of professional help relieves their personal situations. Families are empowered to handle their daily living and to develop new strategies to cope with challenges in their respective life situations.

[The Belgian Nursing Minimum Data Set II (B-NMDS II) and its transfer to German hospitals: results of the first investigation phase, the translation and adaption process of the instrument]. / Die Übertragung des Belgischen Nursing Minimum Data Set II (B-NMDS II) auf bundesdeutsche Krankenhäuser. Ergebnisse der ersten Untersuchungsphase zum Übersetzungs- und Adaptionsprozess des Instruments.

The introduction of the DRG system in Germany showed again that there is a maintaining need in hospitals for a valid and reliable instrument that provides comparable data for necessary nursing care, costs, personnel requirements, and the quality of nursing care. The instrument should be suitable as well for nursing practice as for national health reports. It should provide founded statements for the different participants in the health system. The NMDS seems to be an instrument that could provide these complex data. Since 2006, a research project has been carried out to investigate the transfer of the Belgian B-NMDS II to German hospitals. The project is divided into two phases. The first phase comprises the translation and adaptation process of the B-NMDS II. In the second phase the data collection in the hospitals and the data analysis will be performed. In this article the methodical procedure of the first investigation phase is specified. The translation and adaptation process of the B-NMDS II is executed in a multi-level procedure.