Journal article
Clinician perspectives on reasons for, implications and management of unplanned patient returns to the Emergency Department: A descriptive study
International emergency nursing, Vol.60, 101125
01/2022
PMID: 34953437
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Background
Unplanned return visits to the emergency department (ED) have been associated with adverse outcomes and may reflect the quality of care delivered. Several studies speculate the reasons for return and suggest clinician behaviour as potentially influencing a patient’s decision to return to the ED. There is little research about this issue from the clinician’s perspective, which is necessary to inform future practice improvement.
Methods
A descriptive cross sectional design was employed to ascertain perspectives on identification and management of return visits occurring within 48 hours of discharge. An electronic survey was distributed to all medical, nursing, and clerical staff at one ED. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data and content analysis was performed on textual data. Results were categorised as barriers or facilitators, then mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework.
Results
A response rate of 59.7% (n=86/144) was achieved. Staff reported increased levels of concern for this patient group but not all staff were aware of the policy for managing return patients (40.7%). Five barriers and three facilitators were identified that mapped to eight influencers of behaviour including knowledge, memory and environmental factors.
Conclusion
Overall, staff were aware of return patients but lacked familiarity with policy and processes to identify and commence relevant protocols. Further review of current practice as well as the patient perspective is required before any intervention to improve practice is developed.
Details
- Title
- Clinician perspectives on reasons for, implications and management of unplanned patient returns to the Emergency Department: A descriptive study
- Creators
- Claire L. Hutchinson - University of SydneyKate Curtis - University of SydneyAndrea McCloughen - University of SydneyJudith Fethney - University of SydneyGlen Wiseman - Canterbury HospitalLaura Hutchinson - Canterbury Hospital
- Publication Details
- International emergency nursing, Vol.60, 101125
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991013118013002368
- Copyright
- Crown Copyright © 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article