Vital signs for vital people: an exploratory study into the role of the Healthcare Assistant in recognising, recording and responding to the acutely ill patient in the general ward setting

Journal of Nursing Management
Jayne JamesHelen Cox

Abstract

To examine the contribution of the Healthcare Assistant (HCA) as the recogniser, responder and recorder of acutely ill patients within the general ward setting. Concerns have been highlighted regarding the recognition and management of the acutely ill patient within the general ward setting. The contribution of the HCA role to this process has been given limited attention. A postal survey of HCAs was piloted and conducted within two district general hospitals. Open and closed questions were used. Results suggest that on a regular basis HCAs are caring for acutely ill patients. Contextual issues and inaccuracies in some aspects of patient assessment were highlighted. It would appear normal communication channels and hierarchies were bypassed when patients' safety was of concern. Educational needs were identified including scenario-based learning and the importance of ensuring mandatory training is current. HCAs play a significant role in the detection and monitoring of acutely ill patients. Acknowledgement is needed of the contextual factors in the general ward setting which may influence the quality of this process. The educational needs identified by this study can assist managers to improve clinical supervision and educationa...Continue Reading

References

Jun 19, 1998·BMJ : British Medical Journal·P McQuillanC H Collins
Jan 17, 2002·The New England Journal of Medicine·E RiversUNKNOWN Early Goal-Directed Therapy Collaborative Group
Aug 25, 2004·Resuscitation·Juliane KauseUNKNOWN Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group
Jan 5, 2005·Resuscitation·David GabbottUNKNOWN Resuscitation Council
Jun 21, 2005·Journal of Public Health·Alison J MacfarlaneAllyson M Pollock
Sep 16, 2005·Nursing in Critical Care·Sheila Adam, Mandy Odell
Nov 9, 2005·Intensive & Critical Care Nursing : the Official Journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses·Iain Wheatley
Apr 20, 2006·Intensive & Critical Care Nursing : the Official Journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses·Helen CoxJulian Hunt
May 26, 2006·British Journal of Nursing : BJN·Jacqueline Hogan
Sep 28, 2007·Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis·Zehra JafferyJames McCord
Sep 26, 2008·Nursing Standard·Kate BeaumontRichard Thomson
Mar 11, 2009·Archives of Neurology·Sergio CallejaCarlos H Lahoz
Mar 30, 2010·Journal of Clinical Nursing·Kathleen Milton-Wildey, Louise O'Brien

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 21, 2013·International Journal of Nursing Studies·Maria Eulàlia Juvé-Udina
Jul 26, 2011·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Jean E Stevenson, Gunilla Nilsson
Jul 20, 2010·Journal of Nursing Management·David Newbold, Kristiina Hyrkäs
Aug 22, 2013·International nursing review·C J TangS Y Liaw
Oct 18, 2013·International nursing review·W L ChuaS Y Liaw
Oct 24, 2013·Nursing in Critical Care·Lyvonne N TumePete Arrowsmith
Jul 1, 2015·International Journal of Nursing Practice·Wen Qi MokSok Ying Liaw
Jun 22, 2016·Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences·Barbara J O'NeillLynne Parkinson
Jul 22, 2016·Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing·MiKaela OlsenEllen Evans
Aug 10, 2012·British Journal of Nursing : BJN·Malcolm Elliott, Alysia Coventry
Jul 8, 2017·Journal of Clinical Nursing·Sok Ying LiawEmily Neo Kim Ang
May 20, 2018·Journal of Clinical Nursing·Elizabeth Kusi-AppiahSarah Stahlke
Dec 31, 2018·BMC Health Services Research·Elizabeth SuttonCarolyn Tarrant
Mar 20, 2020·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Nicole Blay, Michael Anthony Roche
Mar 12, 2017·Aging & Mental Health·Justine Schneider
Feb 28, 2021·BMJ Open Quality·Jody EdePeter J Watkinson

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.