Critical care nurses' perceptions of essential elements for an intensive care liaison or critical care outreach nurse curriculum

Judy Currey; Tammie McIntyre; Carmel Taylor; Josh Allen; Daryl Jones

doi:10.1016/j.aucc.2021.05.014

Critical care nurses' perceptions of essential elements for an intensive care liaison or critical care outreach nurse curriculum

Aust Crit Care. 2022 Jul;35(4):438-444. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2021.05.014. Epub 2021 Aug 9.

Authors

Judy Currey¹, Tammie McIntyre², Carmel Taylor³, Josh Allen⁴, Daryl Jones⁵

Affiliations

¹ Deakin University, School of Nursing and Midwifery & Institute for Health Transformation, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia; Deakin University, Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia; Deakin University, Deakin Learning Futures, Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education), 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia. Electronic address: judy.currey@deakin.edu.au.
² Department of Intensive Care, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia. Electronic address: Tammie.mcintyre@austin.org.au.
³ Department of Intensive Care, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia. Electronic address: carmel.taylor@austin.org.au.
⁴ Deakin University, School of Nursing and Midwifery & Institute for Health Transformation, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia; Deakin University, Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia. Electronic address: josh.allen@deakin.edu.au.
⁵ Department of Intensive Care, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia; Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia. Electronic address: daryl.jones@austin.org.au.

PMID: 34384648
DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2021.05.014

Abstract

Background: For over a decade, patients experiencing clinical deterioration have been attended to by specialised nurses, the most senior of which are intensive care unit liaison nurses (ICU LNs) or critical care outreach nurses. These roles have evolved without consistent and formal recognised educational preparation. To continue to advance patient safety, an understanding of the educational requirements for these vital roles is required.

Aim: The aim of this study was to ascertain nurses' perceptions of the curriculum required to perform the roles of ICU LNs or critical care outreach nurses within an acute care sector rapid response system.

Methods: An exploratory descriptive study was conducted at an international rapid response system conference in 2016 following ethics approval. Using convenience sampling, extended response surveys were completed by nurses with rapid response system leadership experience and roles. Data were analysed using content analysis according to a priori themes of theoretical knowledge, skills, and attributes.

Results: Seventy-seven registered nurses volunteered to take part in the study, forming 14 groups, each with four to seven members. Participants identified key concepts for desired theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and personal attributes. Professional behaviours were more frequently emphasised than theoretical knowledge or practical skills, suggesting personal attributes were highly valued in these leadership roles.

Conclusions: A curriculum designed to prepare patient safety leadership roles of the ICU LN or critical care outreach nurse has been identified. These findings can inform the development of postgraduate courses and training requirements, along with position descriptions and expectations of employers regarding the skill set expected in these leadership roles.

Keywords: Critical care; Curriculum; Education; Nursing; Rapid response systems.

MeSH terms

Clinical Deterioration*
Critical Care
Curriculum
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Nurses*