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Acute Care across Care Settings

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Acute Care across Care Settings

 

 

 

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Introduction

Acute care demand will continue to increase as a result of continued population growth and ageing (Hirshon et al., 2013). Acute care settings are therefore inevitable nursing scenarios that practitioners have to deal with in the course of their careers. With the increase in routine health issues, acute exacerbation of acute diseases, and life-threatening emergencies along with demographical changes, raising demand for acute care services are due to be experienced (Hirshon et al., 2013). A nurse is therefore required to have competent skills in the management of an acutely ill patient in multiple settings. It for these reasons that the recognition and management of acute care patients remain to be of high priority in the National Health Service agenda. This report discusses the aspects of nursing including management of primary and secondary adult care patients, diagnostic tests, and their importance as well as the effects of physical and psychological effects on patients.

Nursing Management across Care Settings

In different acute care settings, the general signs of deteriorating a patient’s condition have similarities, regardless of the underlying illness (Clarke & Ketchell, 2016). Patients normally require urgent, and short-term treatment for a severe injury, after undergoing surgery routine health issues, or acute exacerbation of a chronic illness. No matter the condition, such patients will present deteriorating respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological functions (Resuscitation Council, 2011).

In our specific case study, the twenty-nine-year-old, male patient X with childhood asthma presented to the GP nurse C for emergency appointment experience. The first aspect of nursing management will involve primary care under a GP surgery setting. The general practitioner will perform a rapid and objective ABCDE assessment which is used to provide an immediate examination of a patient for the proper management strategies in the emergency department (Thim et al., 2012). The assessment primarily involves a physical evaluation of the patient’s airways, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure, through brief questions, and assessments of the respiratory system, endocrine, and digestive systems.

 

In an emergency setting, the ABCDE assessment tool can improve team performance and save valuable time by helping nurses conduct the rapid physical evaluation (Thim et al., 2012). Patient X exhibits non-specific complaints that raise multiple concerns. Upon ABCDE assessment, the GP nurse C gathered crucial information such as evidence of blocked airways, wheezes nor abnormal airflow. They, however, appeared very anxious, shallow breathing, and could not take deep breaths due to the pain. The lack of wheezing sound and acute respiratory rate paints a possible unclear picture of the possibility of an asthma attack. To ascertain the condition, the GP surgery will have to refer the patient to specialist perform a Spirometry test to measure the Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiration Volume (FEV) and confirm the intensity of the condition.

Abdominal pain is one of the significant aspects of an abdominal pathological assessment (CS & Hardin-Pierce, 2013). The presence of pain in the right iliac fossa, issues with appetite, nausea, and vomiting raises a concern for appendicitis (Findlay et al., 2016)(Findlay et al., 2016). When an adult patient presents pain in the right iliac fossa, the common diagnosis involves acute appendicitis, especially if the pain has a sudden onset, and increasing intensity (Khizer et al., 2009). The physical examination can be conducted by a GP surgery to ascertain inflammation of the peritoneum. This step is also crucial along with blood, and urine tests especially as in the case of Patient X where the condition is an emergency. The blood test must ascertain the White Cell Count and look out for the production of mild leukocytosis (Thim et al., 2012). More advanced diagnosis through ultrasound and CT scanning of the abdomen to help in the confirmation of the condition is also important.

Communication and Diagnostic Tests

With the possibilities of medical errors as a result of communication failure, health care providers and practitioners have a huge role to play. In practice, communication is a primary patient care management setting involves the reporting of all assessments that will be critical in transitioning the patient to another care setting. In the NMC standards (2018), nurses are expected to make use of full rage written, verbal and non-verbal communication tools to acquire, record, and interpret patient’s needs. The key principle of communication competency in the primary and secondary care settings is recognition of anxiety, distress, and early signs of illness in a deteriorating patient in order to guide nurses in making accurate assessments and initiate proper management. Communication of assessments and diagnostic tests results is therefore key in the recommendation and escalation of patient care from one setting to another when necessary.

Standard professional practice requires nurses to use highly effective communication with professional language in all areas of practice. This is important for the purposes of communication between different individuals within different care settings. If improperly and ineffectively done, poor communication will lead to miscommunication which will open other problems including errors, poor quality care, unsafe care and possible sentinel events including injury and unexpected death (Weller, Boyd, & Cumin, 2014). NMC communication standards require nurses to use terms that are recognizable and understandable to their colleagues. In the interaction with the patient, proper communication methods include the use of language that is sensitive to personal needs including cultural and gender-sensitive language.

Deteriorating patients require proper handling; hence, the requirement in nursing is proper and effective communication that is clear, concise, and complete (Webb, 2018). The NMC standard practice requires nurses to be attentive to the patient’s mental health and be of therapeutic help. Mental health attention includes anxiety and distress. Anxiety entails the mental state of nervousness and fear of a situation and what will happen is a common encounter in nursing care management (Yamamoto-Mitani et al.). Annexe A of the NMC Standards of proficiency (2018) recommends the use of a full range of methods to engage patients and use of relationship-building, and communication skills to provide support to distressed patients.

Ensuring that the deteriorating patient understands care decisions, a diverse range of relationships and communication skills are required (Webb, 2018). In patient X’s case, the primary care nurse will be required to recommend the patient to transition to emergency appendicitis for imaging and emergency care under the secondary setting. A timely referral is of the essence in this situation. The GP is therefore required to shorten the time for consultation to avoid the risk of perforation of the appendix and peritonitis.  Assisting the patient in coping with fear and anxiety is a key experience for nurses in care management. The first step in helping a patient in an evidently anxious and distressed state involves listening. Active listening is key in knowing what the patient is feeling about their medical situation. The GP nurse in the primary setting must show companion, use positive verbal language and non-verbal cues. Explaining the situation, providing accurate information, and the planned intervention is key in helping patients cope with anxiety.

Physical and Psychological Impact of Elective and Emergency Surgery

In most primary care management settings involving patients with appendicitis, emergency surgery must be scheduled to remove the appendix as soon as possible through appendectomy (Clarke & Ketchell, 2016). This is because the condition can be life-threatening with possible peritonitis complications as a result of the rapturing of the appendix if left untreated (Findlay et al., 2016). Like any other surgical procedure, the appendectomy process may pose significant impacts on the patient.

Presently, studies have shown that appendicitis requires emergency semi elective surgery procedure in order to preserve life (Kim et al., 2015). The physical and psychological impact of an elective surgery revolves around the quality of life for the patient and possible complications. Due to the severity of patient X‘s condition, waiting for elective surgery is likely to worsen the general health perception, increase the patient’s level of anxiety and cause issues with the quality of life. The emotional cycle of going from GP consultation to waiting for an elective appendectomy procedure will deal with the patient with marginal physical and physiological distress and further deteriorating of the condition. Delayed appendectomy for more 24 hours can lead to complications including perforation or rupturing of the appendix. In case this happens, peritonitis will be inevitable, causing leakage of contents into the abdomen. The patient will experience intense and constant pain in the entire abdomen, increased fever, increased heart rate and breathing, muscle rigidity, alteration of serum electrolyte level and elevation of WBC.

Despite the negative impacts of appendectomy on the patient’s quality of life, elective surgery can produce positive outcomes. In contrast with emergency appendectomy, semi-elective appendectomy allows patients to come in terms with the procedure and prepare themselves psychologically. Semi-elective surgery allows for psychological intervention and is, therefore, likely to result in low levels of psychological distress including anxiety and improved recovery behavior (Kim et al., 2015). They may therefore cope with the situation in a better manner compared to emergency surgery.  In terms of outcomes, psychological preparation can reduce negative outcomes by reducing pain sensation, increase the healing process of wounds through psychoneuroimmunology (Maple et al., 2015).

With appendectomy being an emergency procedure, the psychological effects might only manifest after the surgery due to prolonged healing, causing physical effects. The process involves a 2-4 inch long incision on the abdomen (laparotomy) or via several small incisions (laparoscopic surgery) (Humes & Simpson, 2006). Patients who undergo any of the two have to adjust their lifestyle during the recovery process. Patients who undergo laparoscopic surgery are particularly limited in terms of physical activity for about 10-14 days. However, in most cases, the physical effect is always sorted with deteriorating patients’ emergency surgery. Pinto et al. (2016) state that Patients may be affected psychologically due to surgical complications resulting from long-lasting disability prolonged recovery. Physical effects of post-surgery include pain; wound swelling, which often depend on the surgery procedure or how well one can cope with the pain. Physical effects, such as wound healing, may prove futile due to psychological distress

In the case of elective surgery, the patient also undergoes physical effects depending on the symptoms. Waiting for Elective surgery prolongs primarily the suffering due to symptoms relieved by surgery (Theunissen et al., 2014). Such symptoms are pain, as depicted in Patient A’s case. If the Doctors prefer the elective surgery, then Patient A will have to bear with the pain given that the pain is severe.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, chronic disease management relies on integration across community care settings and acute care settings.  Joint association and many medical associations have given SBAR a green as the standard communication in healthcare settings. In deteriorating patients, as in the case of Patient A requires effective communication from both general practitioners and acute practitioner settings. Question about clinical care skills or knowledge can arise, considering the nurse’s ability to communicate well to deteriorating patients. Both surgical elective and emergency procedures result in psychological effects on the patient because of their distress. Elective surgery temporarily withholds surgery benefits as opposed to an emergency response where the patient gets the treatment and starts the healing period.

 

 

Appendix A

Primary and Secondary Assessment of an Adult

Early identification of clinical deterioration is important in preventing subsequent cardiopulmonary arrest and reducing mortality. By closely monitoring changes in physiological observations, deteriorating patients are more likely to be identified before a serious adverse event occurs.

Patient Details

Name: : Archie Hammond Age:    29       Sex:   M          Allergies: No known allergies

Height:     1.75m             Weight: 75Kg

Past Medical History

 

Childhood asthma

Takes no regular medication

Presenting Complaint

 

Has presented to the GP surgery for an emergency appointment this morning.

7-day history of nausea and vomiting with subsequent reduced nutritional intake

Moderate abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa radiating to the umbilical area. Started 12 hours ago and initially came and went, however, it is now constant and increasing in intensity, now 8/10 on the pain scale.

Diagnosis

 

Appendicitis

 

Primary Assessment

Airway Assessment

 

Assessment Results of Assessment Action Taken /If none taken why?
Look

– Chest movement

– Signs obstruction in the mouth

No evident airway obstruction

No evidence of cyanosis

Some use of accessory muscles

Appears very anxious and restless

Airway is patent -no intervention needed.
Listen

– Can the patient talk in full sentences

– Is there any respiratory noises i.e. stridor/ gurgling

Not able to speak in full sentences as limited by pain, but has

normal voice.

No evidence of wheeze or stridor

 

Airway is patent. No sign of obstruction.
Feel

– Can you feel breath on your face

Evidence of normal air flow in and out of the mouth Airway is patent.
Check for Laryngectomy/tracheostomy    
– If airway not patent when assessed by Look, Listen, Feel, open airway with head tilt chin lift/jaw thrust

– Consider suction

   

Do not move onto breathing assessment until airway patency is assured

Breathing Assessment

Patient airway does not ensure adequate ventilation. Adequacy of breathing needs to be assessed

Assessment Results of Assessment Action Taken /If none taken why?
Respiratory Rate 24 bpm Encourage Mr. Hammond to take deep breathing exercise and reposition patient in high fowler position.
Respiratory Depth Shallow breathing, unable to take deep breaths due to pain.

 

Ask the registered nurse to check if there is prescribed pain relief.

Check for bilateral chest expansion.

Respiratory Rhythm    
Use of Accessory Muscles Yes, appears to be using intercostal muscles  
Oxygen Saturations 93% on room air Reposition to high fowler position

Recheck the saturation with the sat probe on the other hand.

Check if he is been prescribed with O2, if is been prescribed, then ask the registered nurse to administer O2 but if there is non then ask the doctor to prescribed.

Inspect chest for

– Size

– Shape

– Symmetry of expansion

– Presence of scars

, wounds, drains

   
Listen to Respiratory Noises

– Stridor (inspiratory)

– Wheeze (expiratory)

– Grunting

– Gasping

– No noise

– Cough (strong/weak/productive, type of secretions)

Reduced breath sounds on auscultation, but no added sounds. No evidence of cough  

 

Circulation Assessment

 

Assessment Results of Assessment Action Taken /If none taken why?
Assess peripheries for:

– Colour

– Temperature

– Condition

– Determine capillary refill time

Skin feels dry

Increased skin turgor

Dry mucous membranes

Looks pale and sweaty

37.6C

 

Offer and encourage Mr. Hammond to plenty of water as he might be dehydrated.
Assess pulse for:

– Rate

– Rhythm

– Volume

120 bpm

Feels regular and normal volume

ECG with the supervision with the registered nurse
Obtain BP 100/60 mmHg Ask patient what his normal B/P is.

Encourage oral intake but if patient continue vomiting. Check if there is IVI prescribed as patient might be dehydrated.

Assess fluid status

– Mucous membranes

– Urine output

– Drains/stoma fluid loss

– Fluid intake

– Estimate fluid balance

CRT 3 seconds

Feels very thirsty

Passed urine once today, is dark in colour and a reduced volume

Commence fluid balance

Encourage oral intake

 

Disability Assessment

 

Assessment Results of Assessment Action Taken /If none taken why?
A –  Alert alert  
V –  Responds to Voice    
P –  Responds to Pain    
U – Unresponsive    
Pupillary size 3  
Pupillary reaction Equal and constrictive to light  
Blood glucose 6.5 mmol/L Normal blood sugar
Assess Pain

– PQRST

– Pain Score

Pain score 8/10 in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen.

Pain feels sharp and ‘tearing’ and is constant

Offer regular pain killer as prescribed.

Modified Secondary Assessment

Takes place once vital functions have been assessed and initial treatment of life threatening illness has been started.

 

Exposure/External Assessment

 

Assessment Result
Core temperature  
Observe skin:

– Oedema

– Redness/rashes

– Bruising, grazes/lacerations

Skin looks slightly sweaty

No obvious wounds or lesions

Skin in good condition and healthy

 

Assess Abdomen

– Wounds/sutures/drains

– Distention/soft/tense

– Bowels

– Vomiting

Very painful abdomen on palpation

Very loud bowel sounds

Has not opened bowels for 2 days

Constant nausea past 48 hours with frequent vomiting (approx 4-5 times a day).

Note presence of IVs/Catheter/NGT?PEG etc  
Anti-embolic stockings?  

 

Full Patient Assessment

Assessment Result
Review Medical notes and Observations Charts  
Review Drug Chart  
Review investigations/tests  
Social History Student

Lives in a shared house whilst completing an MSc in Engineering

Has not travelled abroad recently

Family (father and sister) lives in Cornwall

 

 

 

Drugs Drugs Drugs
     
     
     
     
     

 

 

Investigations Time Results
  At the GP Suspected appendicitis
Full set bloods Emergency Department Not specified
Venous blood gas Emergency Department Not specified
2 lead ECG Emergency Department Not specified
CT abdomen Emergency Department Not specified

 

 

 

Goals

Assessment Result
Physiological Monitoring Plan

– Identify frequency

– Identify type

Mr Hammond was anxious and in pain.

Need reassurance all the time and over pain killer.

During the assessment demonstrates:

– Maintenance of privacy and dignity

– Effective communication and escalation skills utilizing a recognized tool. I.e. SBAR

Ask patient consent to obtain an assessment.

The close curtain before assessing the patient.

 

Assessment conducted promptly  
Adheres to infection control practices Correct handwashing and wear proper PPE

 

 

Report findings to senior nurse/doctor  
Yes No – Why Not?

 

SBAR Comments
Situation

 

Patient news2 scale of 8 and potential deterioration.
Background

 

Mr. Hammond, 29-year-old with no known of allergies. Admitted in ED via his GP due to 7 days history of nausea and vomiting with subsequent reduced of appetite. Was reported pain scale 8/10 on his abdominal in the right iliac fossa radiating to the umbilical area.

 

Assessment

 

Upon assessment, Patient News 2 scale of 8 due to high respiration 24 BPM, sat 93% on air, blood pressure systolic of 100 and heart rate of 120. Patient is alert but he is using accessory muscle and unable to speak in full sentence. Patient feels dry with poor oral intake and output.
Recommendation

 

The patient sat up on a high fowler position, we recommend administering O2, regular pain killer, and advice for IVI as the patient vomiting and poor oral intake. ECG was taken but need reviewing.
Treatment Plan Pain management

 

 

Additional Information
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opportunities to discuss Health Promotion?
Any recommendations?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix B

OSCE ACACS adapted NEWS 2 Chart 2020

    NEWS Key Full name:  Archie Hammond
O  1  2   3  Date of birth:            03/10/91          Date of admission:   19/01/2021

 

Date   19/01/20                        
Time   12:20                        

 

A+B            A + B       >25                         3
Respirations

Breaths/min

21 – 24 24                       2
  18 – 20                          
  15 – 17                          
  12 – 14                          
  9 – 11                         1
  < 8                         3
A + B > 96                          
Oxygen supplement 94 – 95                         1
SpO2 Scale 1

Oxygen saturation %

92 – 93 93                       2
  < 91                         3
SPo2 Scale 2 ↑ > 97 on O2                         3
Oxygen saturation (%) 95 – 96                         2
Use Scale 2 if the target range is 88-92% 93 – 94 on O2                         1
E.g.in hypercapnic >93 on air                          
Respiratory failure 88 – 92                          
* ONLY Scale 2 under the direction of a 86 – 87                         1
Qualified clinician 84 – 85                         2
  < 83%                         3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Airway or Oxygen A=Air                          
  O2L/min                         2
  Device                          

 

C > 220                         3
Blood pressure 201 – 219                          
mmHg 181 – 200                          
Scores use systolic 161 – 180                          
BP only  141 – 160                          
  121 -140                          
  111 -120                          
  101 -110                         1
  91 – 100 100                       2
  81 – 90                         3
  71 – 80                         3
  61 – 70                         3
  51 – 60                         3
  < 50                         3

 

C >131                         3
Pulse 121-130                         2
  111-120 120                       2
Beats/min 91-110                         1
  71-90                          
  61-70                          
  51-60                          
  41-50                         1
  <40                         3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 D Alert alert                        
Consciousness Confusion                         3
Score for NEW V                         3
Onset of confusion P                         3
(no score if chronic) U                         3

 

E > 39.1                         2
Temperature 38.1 – 39.0                         1
oC 37.1 – 38.0 37.6                        
  36.1 – 37.0                          
  35.1 – 36.0                         1
  < 35.0                         3

 

NEWS TOTAL   8                        

 

Monitor frequency   Continuous monitoring

Every 15mins

                       
Escalation of care Y/N   yes                        
Initials   MG                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Clarke, D., & Ketchell, A. (2016). Nursing the Acutely Ill Adult (2nd ed. 2017 edition). Red Globe Press.

CS, K. D. W. R. M., & Hardin-Pierce, M. (2013). High-Acuity Nursing (6th edition). Pearson.

Cutler, L., & Cutler, J. (2010). Critical Care Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!: Uk Edition (First, UK ed edition). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Davy, C., Bleasel, J., Liu, H., Tchan, M., Ponniah, S., & Brown, A. (2015). Effectiveness of chronic care models: opportunities for improving healthcare practice and health outcomes: a systematic review. BMC health services research15(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0854-8

Findlay, J. M., el Kafsi, J., Hammer, C., Gilmour, J., Gillies, R. S., & Maynard, N. D. (2016). Nonoperative management of appendicitis in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 223(6), 814–824.

Hirshon, J. M., Risko, N., Calvello, E. J., Ramirez, S. S. de, Narayan, M., Theodosis, C., & O’Neill, J. (2013). Health systems and services: The role of acute care. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 91, 386–388.

Humes, D. J., & Simpson, J. (2006). Acute appendicitis. BMJ : British Medical Journal, 333(7567), 530–534. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38940.664363.AE

Khizer, M., Ram, S., & Khan, A. M. (2009). A rare cause of right iliac fossa pain. Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons, 14(1), 34–35. https://doi.org/10.4103/0971-9261.54812

Kim, S. H., Park, S. J., Park, Y. Y., & Choi, S. I. (2015). Delayed Appendectomy Is Safe in Patients With Acute Nonperforated Appendicitis. International Surgery, 100(6), 1004–1010. https://doi.org/10.9738/INTSURG-D-14-00240.1

Maple, H., Chilcot, J., Lee, V., Simmonds, S., Weinman, J., & Mamode, N. (2015). Stress predicts the trajectory of wound healing in living kidney donors as measured by high-resolution ultrasound. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 43, 19–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2014.06.012

Müller, M., Jürgens, J., Redaèlli, M., Klingberg, K., Hautz, W. E., & Stock, S. (2018). Impact of the communication and patient hand-off tool SBAR on patient safety: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 8(8). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022202

Pérez Rivas, F. J., Martín‐Iglesias, S., Pacheco del Cerro, J. L., Minguet Arenas, C., Garcia Lopez, M., & Beamud Lagos, M. (2016). Effectiveness of nursing process use in primary care. International journal of nursing knowledge27(1), 43-48. https://doi.org/10.1111/2047-3095.12073

Pinto, A., Faiz, O., Davis, R., Almoudaris, A., & Vincent, C. (2016). Surgical complications and their impact on patients’ psychosocial well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ open6(2).

Resuscitation Council. (2011). Immediate Life Support 3rd edn.

Shahid, S., & Thomas, S. (2018). Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) Communication Tool for Handoff in Health Care – A Narrative Review. Safety in Health, 4(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40886-018-0073-1

Theunissen, M., Peters, M. L., Schouten, E. G., Fiddelers, A. A., Willemsen, M. G., Pinto, P. R., Gramke, H. F., & Marcus, M. A. (2014). Validation of the surgical fear questionnaire in adult patients waiting for elective surgery. PloS one9(6), e100225. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0100225

Thim, T., Krarup, N. H. V., Grove, E. L., Rohde, C. V., & Løfgren, B. (2012). Initial assessment and treatment with the Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE) approach. International Journal of General Medicine, 5, 117–121. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S28478

Webb, L., 2018. Exploring the characteristics of effective communicators in healthcare. Nursing Standard. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2018.e11157

Weller, J., Boyd, M., & Cumin, D. (2014). Teams, tribes and patient safety: Overcoming barriers to effective teamwork in healthcare. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 90. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2012-131168

Yamamoto-Mitani, N., Noguchi-Watanabe, M., & Fukahori, H. (2016). Caring for Clients and Families With Anxiety. Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 3. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333393616665503

 

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