Routine dyspnea assessment and documentation: Nurses' experience yields wide acceptance.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Patient Symptom Management

Background:

• Dyspnea (breathing discomfort) is a common, distressing symptom requiring effective management.
• Concerns about nursing workflow and acceptance have been barriers to routine dyspnea documentation.
• Nurses implemented routine dyspnea assessment and documentation for all medical-surgical patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' approach to dyspnea assessment.
• To understand nurses' perceptions of patient response to dyspnea assessment.
• To evaluate the perceived utility and burden of dyspnea measurement on nursing practice.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a three-part assessment of practice.
• Conducted recorded focus group interviews with nurses.
• Performed time-motion observations of dyspnea and pain assessment.
• Administered a randomized, anonymous online survey.

Main Results:

• 94% of nurses found dyspnea assessment easy or very easy.
• No negative impact on workflow reported; many noted increased awareness.
• Time-motion data indicated assessment and documentation take under one minute.
• Nurses found patient reports useful for responding to condition changes.

Conclusions:

• Routine dyspnea assessment and documentation were widely accepted by nurses.
• Nurses successfully incorporated dyspnea assessment into their practice.
• The practice was perceived to improve patient-centered care.