Purpose/Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a transfer brochure on increasing knowledge and decreasing anxiety in family members of patients being transferred from the intensive care unit.
Significance:
Lack of information leads to transfer anxiety, which can impact family members' emotional reactions that can negatively impact patient care, recovery, and communications. Transfer anxiety can affect the decsion-making abilities of family members and is linked to a lack of understanding of the transfer process. A needs assessment supported a lack of transfer knowledge in family members. There are limited evaluations of written intensive care unit transfer information and communication in the literature.
Design/Background/Rationale:
A quasi-experimental design consisting of a one group pretest and posttest data collection approach was used to test the effectiveness of a 2-step intervention consisting of the transfer brochure and verbal intervention (question and answer period) that addressed family members' questions and concerns regarding the transfer.
Methods/Description:
The brochure and verbal intervention was based on the needs assessment, Knowles Adult Learning Theory, Lazarus Stress and Coping Model, and was supported in the literature. The convenience sample included 20 family members. A family survey (6-item) Likert Scale (1-4) was used to measure the effectiveness of the brochure at increasing family members' transfer knowledge. A modified numerical rating scale (0-4) was used to measure transfer anxiety before and after intervention.
Findings/Outcomes:
A paired t test (P = .05) was statistically significant for pretest and posttest anxiety scores (P = .021). The positive survey responses supported an increase in transfer knowledge.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated the value of providing family members with written and verbal transfer information to increase knowledge and decrease transfer anxiety.
Implications for Practice:
An educational intervention that includes a brochure and verbal interaction is cost-effective and may potentially improve family communication, patient satisfaction, and preparation for transfer, which can ultimately affect patient care outcomes. Further research needs to be conducted focusing on different types of transfers and patient populations and the effect on nurse's time.
Section Description
The 2009 NACNS National Conference will be held in St Louis, Missouri, on March 5 to 7. More than 350 clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), graduate faculty, nurse administrators, nurse researchers, and graduate students are registered. This year's theme, "Clinical Nurse Specialists: Vision, Value, Voice," demonstrates the essential leadership skills of the CNS as well as the CNS role in implementing evidence-based practice.
Seventy abstracts were selected for either podium or poster presentations. Again, this year, there is a CNS student poster session. The abstracts addressed CNS practice in 3 practice domains (spheres of influence), emphasizing patient safety and quality care outcomes, leadership, evidence-based practice, and new ways to shape CNS practice. Topics include CNS work activities incorporated into 3 spheres of influence-patients, nursing practice, organization/system-including the development of clinical inquiry skills among staff nurses, use of simulation technology, strategies to maintain clinical excellence, CNS practice in end-of-life care decisions, and many new and thoughtful ideas to support CNS education, practice, and research. Collectively, the abstracts represent the breadth, depth, and richness of the CNSs' contribution to the well-being of individuals, families, communities, as well as to the advancement of the nursing profession.
The conference abstracts were published here to facilitate sharing this emerging new knowledge with those who were unable to attend the conference. As you read each abstract, appreciate the intellectual talent and clinical scholarship of your CNS colleagues who are advancing the practice of nursing and contributing to the health of society through improved outcomes for patients and healthcare organizations. We encourage you to contact individual presenters to network, collaborate, consult, or share your thoughts and ideas on the conference topics. Watch out for next year's call for abstracts and consider submitting for presentation at NACNS' next annual conference in Portland, Oregon, on March 4 to 6, 2010.