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Hospital nurses' professional accountability while using the National Early Warning Score: A qualitative study with a
Jørghild Karlotte Jensen1, Randi Skår2, Bodil Tveit3
1Center of Diakonia and Professional Practice, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway.
Journal of Clinical Nursing
|August 14, 2019
Summary
Nurses find the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) beneficial for patient assessment and professionalism. However, relying solely on NEWS accountability does not guarantee quality care or patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Science
- Patient Safety
- Clinical Assessment Tools
Background:
- The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) is a widely adopted patient safety initiative.
- NEWS aims to facilitate early detection and response to deteriorating patients in hospital settings.
- The impact of NEWS on nurses' professionalism remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate general hospital ward nurses' experiences with the National Early Warning Score (NEWS).
- To determine the effects of NEWS on nurses' professionalism.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study employing a hermeneutic design.
- Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 hospital nurses.
- Thematic analysis was used to interpret nurses' experiences, adhering to COREQ guidelines.
Main Results:
- Four key themes emerged regarding nurses' experiences with NEWS and its impact on professionalism.
- Themes included the interplay between NEWS and clinical judgment, adherence to NEWS standards, professional community engagement, and tool adaptation.
- Nurses recognized the importance of integrating clinical judgment, discretion, and accountability with NEWS for accurate patient assessment.
Conclusions:
- The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) influences nurses' professionalism in multifaceted ways.
- While NEWS is beneficial for professional practice, accountability to the score alone is insufficient for ensuring quality care and patient safety.
- Further research is needed to understand the role of professional accountability in NEWS utilization for enhanced practice and patient safety.
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