Premium
Association between ambulatory status and call bell use in hospitalized patients—A retrospective cohort study
Author(s) -
CapoLugo Carmen E.,
Shumock Kara,
Young Daniel L.,
Klein Lisa,
Cassell Andre,
Cvach Maria,
Lavezza Annette,
Friedman Michael,
Bhatia Elys,
Brotman Daniel J.,
Hoyer Erik H.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.12888
Subject(s) - ambulatory , medicine , retrospective cohort study , cohort , workload , emergency medicine , logistic regression , cohort study , physical therapy , computer science , operating system
Abstract Aim Characterize the relationship between patient ambulatory status and in‐hospital call bell use. Background Although call bells are frequently used by patients to request help, the relationship between physical functioning and call bell use has not been evaluated. Methods Retrospective cohort study of 944 neuroscience patients hospitalized in a large academic urban medical centre between April 1, 2014 and August 1, 2014. We conducted multiple linear regression analyses with number of daily call bells from each patient as the primary outcome and patients' average ambulation status as the primary exposure variable. Results The mean number of daily call bell requests for all patients was 6.9 (6.1), for ambulatory patients 5.6 (4.8), and for non‐ambulatory patients, it was 7.7 (6.6). Compared with non‐ambulatory patients, ambulatory patients had a mean reduction in call bell use by 1.7 (95% CI 2.5 to −0.93, p < .001) calls per day. In a post hoc analysis, patients who could walk >250 feet had 5 fewer daily call bells than patients who were able to perform in‐bed mobility. Conclusion Ambulatory patients use their call bells less frequently than non‐ambulatory patients. Implications for Nursing Management Frequent use of call bells by non‐ambulatory patients can place additional demands on nursing staff; patient mobility status should be considered in nurse workload/patient assignment.