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Patient and family involvement in escalating concerns about clinical deterioration in acute adult wards: A qualitative systematic review
Author(s) -
McKinney Aidín,
Fitzsimons Donna,
Blackwood Bronagh,
McGaughey Jennifer
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nursing in critical care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.689
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1478-5153
pISSN - 1362-1017
DOI - 10.1111/nicc.12582
Subject(s) - cinahl , critical appraisal , medicine , qualitative research , medline , acute care , thematic analysis , nursing , psychological intervention , health care , family medicine , systematic review , alternative medicine , social science , pathology , sociology , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Background Despite international standards for recognition and response to deterioration, warning signs are not always identified by staff on acute hospital wards. Patient and family‐initiated escalation of care schemes have shown some benefit in assisting early recognition, but are not widely used in many clinical practice areas. Objectives To explore (a) patients' and relatives' experiences of acute deterioration and (b) patients', relatives' and healthcare professionals' perceptions of the barriers or facilitators to patient and family‐initiated escalation of care in acute adult hospital wards. Methods We conducted a qualitative review using Cochrane methodology. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and appraised the quality using a qualitative critical appraisal tool. Findings were analysed using thematic synthesis and confidence in findings was assessed using GRADE‐CERQual. Search strategy MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO databases and grey literature from 2005 to August 2019. Inclusion criteria Any research design that had a qualitative element and focused on adult patients' and relatives' experiences of deterioration and perceptions of escalating care. Results We included five studies representing 120 participants and assessed the certainty of evidence as moderate using GRADE‐CERQual. Findings indicated that a number of patients/relatives have the ability to detect acute deterioration, however, various factors act as both barriers and facilitators to being heard. These include personal factors, perceptions of role, quality of relationships with healthcare staff, and organisational factors. Theoretical understanding suggests that patient and relative involvement in escalation is dependent on both inherent capabilities and the factors that influence empowerment. Conclusion This review highlights that patient and family escalation of care interventions need to be designed with the aim of improving patient/relative—clinician collaboration and the sharing of responsibility. Relevance to practice These factors need to be addressed to promote more active partnerships when designing and implementing patient and family‐initiated escalation of care interventions.