Nursing assessment as an effective tool for the identification of delirium risk in older in-patients: A case-control study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of comprehensive nursing assessment as a strategy for determining the risk of delirium in older in-patients from a model of care needs based on variables easily measured by nurses. BACKGROUND: There are many scales of assessment and prediction of risk of delirium, but they are little known and infrequently used by professionals. Recognition of delirium by doctors and nurses continues to be limited. DESIGN AND METHODS: A case-control study. A specific form of data collection was designed to include the risk factors for delirium commonly identified in the literature and the care needs evaluated from the comprehensive nursing assessment based on the Virginia Henderson model of care needs. We studied 454 in-patient units in a basic general hospital. Data were collected from a review of the records of patients' electronic clinical history. RESULTS: The areas of care that were significant in patients with delirium were dyspnoea, problems with nutrition, elimination, mobility, rest and sleep, self-care, physical safety, communication and relationships. The specific risk factors identified as independent predictors were as follows: age, urinary incontinence, urinary catheter, alcohol abuse, previous history of dementia, being able to get out of bed/not being at rest, habitual insomnia and history of social risk. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive nursing assessment is a valid and consistent strategy with a multifactorial model of delirium, which enables the personalised risk assessment necessary to define a plan of care with specific interventions for each patient to be made. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The identification of the risk of delirium is particularly important in the context of prevention. In a model of care based on needs, nursing assessment is a useful component in the risk assessment of delirium and one that is necessary for developing an individualised care regime.

[Competence of triage nurses in hospital emergency departments]. / Perfil competencial en los profesionales de triaje de los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios.

OBJECTIVES: To identify associations between sociodemographic characteristics variables and competence levels of triage nurses in hospital emergency departments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study of triage nurses in hospital emergency departments in the southwestern area of Catalonia (Ebre River territory). We used an instrument for evaluating competencies (the COM_VA questionnaire) and recording sociodemographic variables (age, sex, total work experience, emergency department experience, training in critical patient care and triage) and perceived confidence when performing triage. We then analyzed the association between these variables and competency scores. RESULTS: Competency scores on the COM_VA questionnaire were significantly higher in nurses with training in critical patient care (P=.001) and triage (P=0.002) and in those with longer emergency department experience (P<.0001). Perceived confidence when performing triage increased with competency score (P<.0001) and training in critical patient care (P<.0001) and triage (P=.045). CONCLUSION: The competence of triage nurses and their perception of confidence when performing triage increases with emergency department experience and training.

OBJETIVO: Identificar la relación entre las variables sociodemográficas estudiadas y el nivel competencial de los enfermeros que realizan triaje en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH). METODO: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, multicéntrico realizado a enfermeros que realizan triaje en los SUH de Terres de l'Ebre. Se analiza la relación entre variables del cuestionario evaluativo de competencias COM_VA©, sociodemográficas (edad, sexo, experiencia laboral total y en SUH, formación en paciente crítico y en triaje, seguridad percibida en la realización del triaje) y habilidades profesionales. RESULTADOS: El nivel competencial (COM_VA©) es mayor en enfermeros con formación en paciente crítico (p = 0,001) y triaje (p = 0,002) y con experiencia en el SUH (p < 0,0001). La seguridad percibida al realizar triaje aumenta con el nivel competencial (p < 0,0001) y con la formación en paciente crítico (p < 0,0001) y triaje (p = 0,045). CONCLUSIONES: La formación y experiencia en el SUH aumentan las competencias del enfermero de triaje y la seguridad percibida al realizarlo.

Perfil competencial en los profesionales de triaje de los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios / Competence of triage nurses in hospital emergency departments

Objetivo. Identificar la relación entre las variables sociodemográficas estudiadas y el nivel competencial de los enfermeros que realizan triaje en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH). Método. Estudio descriptivo, transversal, multicéntrico realizado a enfermeros que realizan triaje en los SUH de Terres de l’Ebre. Se analiza la relación entre variables del cuestionario evaluativo de competencias COM_VA©, sociodemográficas (edad, sexo, experiencia laboral total y en SUH, formación en paciente crítico y en triaje, seguridad percibida en la realización del triaje) y habilidades profesionales. Resultados. El nivel competencial (COM_VA©) es mayor en enfermeros con formación en paciente crítico (p = 0,001) y triaje (p = 0,002) y con experiencia en el SUH (p < 0,0001). La seguridad percibida al realizar triaje aumenta con el nivel competencial (p < 0,0001) y con la formación en paciente crítico (p < 0,0001) y triaje (p = 0,045). Conclusiones. La formación y experiencia en el SUH aumentan las competencias del enfermero de triaje y la seguridad percibida al realizarlo (AU)

Objective. To identify associations between sociodemographic characteristics variables and competence levels of triage nurses in hospital emergency departments. Methods. Descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study of triage nurses in hospital emergency departments in the southwestern area of Catalonia (Ebre River territory). We used an instrument for evaluating competencies (the COM_VA questionnaire) and recording sociodemographic variables (age, sex, total work experience, emergency department experience, training in critical patient care and triage) and perceived confidence when performing triage. We then analyzed the association between these variables and competency scores. Results. Competency scores on the COM_VA questionnaire were significantly higher in nurses with training in critical patient care (P=.001) and triage (P=0.002) and in those with longer emergency department experience (P<.0001). Perceived confidence when performing triage increased with competency score (P<.0001) and training in critical patient care (P<.0001) and triage (P=.045). Conclusion. The competence of triage nurses and their perception of confidence when performing triage increases with emergency department experience and training (AU)

Valoración de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en la enfermedad renal crónica terminal mediante un cuestionario de resultados percibidos por los pacientes / Assessment of health-related quality of life in chronic end-stage renal disease using a questionnaire of patient-perceived outcomes

Objetivos: Valorar la Calidad de Vida Relacionada con la Salud de los pacientes con Enfermedad Renal Crónica Terminal e identificar las diferencias más significativas según el sexo y tratamiento recibido. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, analítico y transversal; realizado a pacientes en tratamiento con Hemodiálisis de Alto Flujo o Hemodiafiltración 'en línea'. Realizamos estadística descriptiva e inferencial y se consideraron significativos aquellos resultados en que el grado de significación resultó igual o inferior al 5% (p≤0.05). Resultados: Obtuvimos diferencias estadísticamente significativas en: valores de albúmina sérica según la técnica de diálisis y dosis de tratamiento adecuado (Kt/V) según el sexo. En las dimensiones del test de calidad de vida: síntomas/problemas, situación laboral, función sexual, función física, dolor y vitalidad (según sexo). Y según la técnica en: sueño, actitud del personal de diálisis y función física. En el análisis multivariante, las únicas variables clínicas y sociodemográficas que resultaron ser predictores significativos en algunas de las dimensiones de las escalas KDQOL-SF fueron el sexo, el nivel de estudios y la técnica de diálisis. Conclusiones: Las variables sociodemográficas, analíticas, el sexo y técnicas de diálisis influyen sobre la percepción de la calidad de vida de los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica terminal (AU)

Objective: Evaluate the health-related quality of life for patiens with end-stage renal disease and identify the most significant differences depending on gender and treatment received. Methods and Materials: Observational, analytical and cross-sectional study (second semester 2014) carried out on patiens having high-flux hemodialysis or On-line hemodiafiltration treatment. We did descriptive and inferential statistics and the results with signification grades equal or less than 5% (p<0.05) were regarded as significant. Results: Significant differences in: Albumin values according to the dialysis technique and appropriate treatment doses (Kt/V) depending on gender. Quality of life test dimensions: Symptoms/problems, employment status, sexual function, physical activity, pain and vitality (depending on gender) and according to technique with sleep, staff attitude and physical activity. In the multi-variable analysis; gender, level of education and dialysis technique were the only clinical and socio-demographic variables which ended up being reliable predictors in some of the dimensions of the scales KDQOL-SF. Conclusions: The socio-demographic variables, analytical, gender and dialysis techniques have influence on renal disease patient’s perception (AU)