A Mixed Methods Study of Tele-ICU Nursing Interventions to Prevent Failure to Rescue of Patients in Critical Care

Telemed J E Health. 2019 May;25(5):369-379. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2018.0086. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Abstract

Background:Failure to rescue (FTR) is a benchmark of quality care. Limited evidence exists examining the influence of telemedicine intensive care units (tele-ICU) nursing interventions in preventing FTR. The purpose of this study was to characterize tele-ICU nursing interventions and to determine which combination of documented tele-ICU nursing interventions (DTNI) best predicts prevention of FTR in ICU patients with hospital-acquired conditions (HACs).Materials and Methods:We used convergent parallel mixed methods design to conduct qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of tele-ICU nurses (n = 19) from 11 US tele-ICU centers. Quantitative data, including demographics, DTNIs, severity of illness scores, and video assessment times from January 2016 to December 2016 were retrieved for ICU patients discharged from a multihospital health system with a tele-ICU center (n = 861). Findings from both qualitative and quantitative analyses were merged, compared, and contrasted.Results:FTR patients had higher severity of illness, longer video assessment by tele-ICU nurses, and were more likely to have DTNIs related to hemodynamic instability. Four themes emerged from qualitative analysis: fundamental tele-ICU nurse attributes, proactive clinical practice, effective collaborative relationships, and strategic use of advanced technology. Mixed methods analysis revealed convergence between DTNIs and tele-ICU nurses' characterizations of their practice.Conclusions:Tele-ICU nurses' characterizations of their practice closely align with DTNIs. Tele-ICU nursing practice to prevent FTR involves systems thinking and integration of many complex factors. Tele-ICU nurses can reduce the odds of FTR with focus on support and clinical coordination interventions that avoid hemodynamic instability in ICU patients with a diagnosed HAC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • APACHE
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Clinical Competence
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Critical Care / organization & administration*
  • Failure to Rescue, Health Care*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / organization & administration*
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Patient Care Team
  • Qualitative Research
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Telemedicine / organization & administration*