Testing Interventions to Address Bias About Patients with Opioid Use Disorder in the Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: Reducing nurse bias about patients with opioid use disorder in the emergency department is critical for providing nonjudgmental care, enhancing patient outcomes, supporting effective communication, and promoting a holistic approach to care. Emergency nurses can make a positive impact on the lives of individuals diagnosed as having opioid use disorder by providing care that is free from stigma and discrimination. METHODS: The study used an observational, pretest-posttest design to compare educational sessions addressing bias and stigma toward patients with opioid use disorder. The study population consisted of emergency nurses who self-selected into a virtual learning experience consisting of e-modules or simulation-based experience consisting of simulation-based experience consisting of simulation, discussion, and a speaker. RESULTS: After the intervention, the simulation-based experience group showed an increase in total score postintervention from a mean of 118.6 to a mean of 127.1 (P < .001). The virtual learning experience group also showed an increase in total score postintervention from a mean of 116.3 to 120.7 (P < .001). Although both groups showed an increase in scores over time, the simulation-based experience group had a greater increase (P = .0037). Within the simulation-based experience, there was an increase in scores across all age groups (P < .05) but a significantly greater increase in scores among younger nurses (18-29 years) than the older age groups (P = .006). DISCUSSION: Opioid use disorder is a complex condition that requires a comprehensive and holistic approach to care. Study results indicate that providing an educational experience to address stigma about patients diagnosed as having opioid use disorder can significantly affect nurse perceptions about these patients and their self-efficacy when working with them. However, investing in a simulation-based educational experience provides a stronger experience and results in greater change, particularly for younger, less experienced emergency nurses.

The Effect of Healing Touch on Critical Care Patients' Vital Signs: A Pilot Study.

To determine the impact of Healing Touch on vital signs, adult intensive care unit patients were recruited from multiple hospital sites. Both pain and agitation improved and there was a significant change in hemodynamics that reflected a calming effect. Healing Touch may be considered a respected addition to symptom management.

Mental Health Wellness and Biofield Therapies: An Integrative Review.

Biofield therapies such as Healing Touch and Reiki increase relaxation, decrease anxiety and stress, and improve mood. Understanding the efficacy of these therapies in terms of mental health wellness is important for nurses interested in complementary and integrative care. The goal of the present integrative review was to investigate the state of knowledge regarding biofield therapies and the impact on anxiety, mood, and mental health wellness. Electronic databases were searched for articles available in English and published from 2014 to 2016. Biofield therapies show safety and promise in reducing anxiety, improving mood, and cultivating mental health and wellness.

Examination of the Use of Healing Touch by Registered Nurses in the Acute Care Setting.

Acute care nursing is currently undergoing unprecedented change, with health systems becoming more open to nonpharmacological approaches to patient care. Healing Touch (HT) may be a valuable intervention for acute care patients. Research has shown that HT helps both the patient and the caregiver; however, no study to date has examined the impact that the education of nurses in and their use of HT have on daily care delivery in the acute care setting. The purpose of the current qualitative study was to examine the use of HT by registered nurses in the acute care setting during their delivery of patient care, as well as the impact of education in and use of HT on the nurses themselves. Five themes were identified: (1) use of HT techniques, processes, and sequence; (2) outcomes related to HT; (3) integration of HT into acute care nursing practice; (4) perceptions of HT, from skepticism to openness; and (5) transformation through HT. Education in HT and delivery of this modality by nurses in the acute care setting provide nurses with a transformative tool to improve patient outcomes.

Examination of the Perceptions of Registered Nurses Regarding the Use of Healing Touch in the Acute Care Setting.

Given the current transformation of traditional health care to provide more integrative and complementary modalities, health systems are implementing new programs and services to meet consumer and provider needs. One such integrative modality, Healing Touch, with a foundation in holistic nursing, is a gentle therapy that uses touch to promote health and well-being by balancing the human energy system. This article describes the perceptions of registered nurses regarding the implementation of a Healing Touch training program at a multihospital health system. Five themes were identified: benefit to the patient, benefit to the nurse, holism beyond task orientation, integrating Healing Touch into acute care, and barriers and challenges. Nurses recognize the importance of creating caring-healing relationships and a holistic approach to care. Training in Healing Touch provides one avenue for nurses and health care providers to provide compassionate care.

The effects of healing touch on pain, nausea, and anxiety following bariatric surgery: a pilot study.

CONTEXT: Given the growth in the number of bariatric surgeries, it is important for healthcare practitioners to maximize symptom management for these patients, including the option of complementary therapies such as Healing Touch. OBJECTIVE: A quasi-experimental study was conducted to determine the feasibility of a Healing Touch intervention for reducing pain, nausea, and anxiety in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. DESIGN: Following surgery, a nurse administered the Healing Touch intervention once daily. Study participants reported levels of pain, nausea, and anxiety immediately before and after the Healing Touch intervention using separate numeric rating scales. RESULTS: Significant decreases in pain, nausea, and anxiety were observed immediately following the intervention on post-operative days one and two, and in pain and anxiety on post-operative day three compared with pre-intervention levels. These findings indicate that the Healing Touch intervention is feasible and acceptable to patients undergoing bariatric surgery, and significantly improved pain, nausea, and anxiety in these patients.

Promoting caring-healing relationships: bringing healing touch to the bedside in a multihospital health system.

New legislative mandates, evaluation metrics, and patient demand have led acute care organizations to expand their patient-centered care model to include the use of complementary therapies. One multihospital health system is offering Healing Touch training to nurses who will provide Healing Touch to self, colleagues, and patients, promoting a caring-healing consciousness.

BSN completion barriers, challenges, incentives, and strategies.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to explore RN perceptions regarding barriers/challenges and incentives/supports for BSN completion and identify recommendations to increase RN BSN completion. BACKGROUND: The Institute of Medicine's 2011 The Future of Nursing report recommended the proportion of RNs with a BSN increase to 80% by 2020. METHOD: This qualitative study included 41 RNs who participated in 1 of 6 focus groups based on their BSN completion status. RESULTS: Primary themes were sacrifices, barriers/challenges, incentives/supports, value, how to begin, and pressure. Primary BSN completion barriers/challenges were work-life balance and economic issues. Incentives/supports identified were financial compensation, assistance from employer and academic institution, and encouragement from family. Institutional strategies recommended for increasing BSN completion rates were improved access to education and financial support facilitated by collaboration between hospitals and academic institutions. CONCLUSIONS: Exploring RN barriers/challenges and incentives/supports for BSN completion can lead to implementation of institutional strategies, such as tuition reimbursement and academic collaboration.

How to teach human caring: nurse educator role in transformational learning for a large healthcare system.

Nurse educators assisted the director of professional nursing practice in a large healthcare system to implement a human caring program across 108 nursing units. These educators used transformational learning principles to reunite bedside nurses with the art of caring. Implementation included core content in a 30-minute training session, large-scale leadership conferences, and consistent educator support. Affective growth occurred for both clinicians and educators. The authors provide practical ideas, content, and tools to teach human caring.