The development of a half-day workshop to assist novice nurses in the identification and management of clinical deterioration

Dawe, Lindsay (2021) The development of a half-day workshop to assist novice nurses in the identification and management of clinical deterioration. Practicum Report. Memorial University of Newfoundland. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Background: Patient safety is an essential part of quality nursing care. Promoting a culture of patient safety has been shown to improve patient outcomes. To provide quality patient care, it is important for registered nurses to have the assessment skills to detect when a patient’s condition is deteriorating. The surgical inpatient unit at Carbonear General Hospital (CGH) has seen a high turnover of staff in recent years. An increased number of novice nurses employed on the unit has contributed to patient safety issues. An educational workshop, provided as part of the orientation program, would benefit novice nurses working on this unit as a strategy to promote patient safety by increasing their knowledge and expertise in the early identification and management of the deteriorating patient. Purpose: The purpose of this practicum project was to develop an educational workshop to help novice nurses identify and manage the deteriorating patient. Methods: Three methods were used in the development of this workshop. A literature review and consultations with key stakeholders (e.g., nurses, nurse educators, and nurse managers) was conducted to determine the factors influencing novice nurses’ ability to identify and manage the deteriorating patient. Stakeholders were also asked to provide feedback on the content and delivery of the workshop. An environmental scan was completed with clinical educators within Eastern Health to determine what resources are available to assist novice nurses in the identification and management of clinical deterioration. Results: Key findings were assimilated to guide the development of the one-day workshop. The lack of knowledge, experience, and confidence of novice nurses combined with organizational problems such as unit practices, communication issues, poor staffing levels, and inconsistent patient assignments contribute to their inability to determine a change in patient status. Within Eastern Health, there are limited resources available related to the identification and management of clinical deterioration. Conclusion: Using Morrison, Ross, Kalman and Kemp’s (2013) instructional design model, Knowles’ Principles of Adult Learning (1984) and Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory (1982), an interactive, half-day educational workshop was developed to assist novice nurses in the early identification and management of clinical deterioration.

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