Aims and objectives: This integrative review aimed to draw conclusions from evidence on how registered nurses are measuring respiratory rates for acute care patients.
Background: Despite the growing research supporting respiratory rate as an early indicator for clinical deterioration, respiratory rate has consistently been the least frequently measured and accurately documented vital sign.
Design: An integrative review.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in June 2022 in four databases: CINAHL, PubMed, Medline and Scopus. Quality appraisal was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Checklist. PRISMA guidelines were followed to ensure explicit reporting and reported in the PRISMA checklist.
Results: Overall, 9915 records were identified, and 19 met the inclusion criteria. Of these 19 articles, seven themes emerged: estimation and digit preference, lack of understanding and knowledge, not valuing the clinical significance of respiratory rate, oxygen saturation substitute, interobserver agreement, subjective concern and count duration. A high prevalence of bias, estimation and incorrect technique was evident. A total of 15 articles reported specifically on how registered nurses are measuring respiratory rates on general medical and surgical wards.
Conclusions: Despite its importance, this integrative review has determined that respiratory rates are not being assessed correctly by nursing staff in the acute care environment. Evidence of using estimation, value bias or quick count and multiply techniques are emerging themes which urgently require further research. No patient or public contribution.
Keywords: acute care patients; early warning systems; nurses; respiratory rate assessment; vital signs.
© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.