Admission and Discharge Practices: High Dependency Unit audit outcome
Alan Tulloch
Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology; Nurse Research Consultant, Curtin University, Joondalup Health Campus, WA
Chris How
Clinical Nurse Manager, Cassia Ward, Joondalup Health Campus, Perth WA
Marjorie Brent
Clinical Nurse Consultant, Cassia Ward, Joondalup Health Campus, Perth WA
Rose Chapman
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology; Nurse Research Consultant ED, Curtin University, Joondalup Health Campus, Perth WA
Brendon Burns
Clinical Nurse Manager, Critical Care and Renal Units, Joondalup Health Campus, Perth WA
Su-Mei Pomery
Clinical Nurse, Emergency Department, Joondalup Health Campus, Perth WA
PP: 15
Abstract
This paper presents the findings of a retrospective audit of admission and discharge practices of a nurse led High Dependency Unit (Nurse Specials Unit) in Perth, Western Australia.
The aim of the study was:
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to review the effectiveness of the inclusion and exclusion guidelines for patients admitted to the Nurse Special Unit (NSU);
-
to identify characteristics of admitted patients; and
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to determine the level of adherence to admission protocols for documentation of patient condition, plan of care, medical and Clinical Nurse Consultant review.
The sample comprised all patients admitted to the NSU from September 2004 – March 2005, excluding those (50) in the pilot study (n=154).
This audit revealed patients were primarily elderly and admitted for close nursing supervision. Inclusion and exclusion criterion were adhered to, however documentation of patient data, in relation to current status and plan of care, was poorly completed and frequently absent during intra hospital transfer. This lack of clear documentation poses a significant risk to the patient. Further research is required to determine strategies that result in appropriate and useful transfer documentation. In addition, the content of transfer data that permits continuity of care needs to be determined.
Keywords
nurse, high dependency unit, audit, documentation, transfer summary, nurse specials unit
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