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Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

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<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nursing</strong> & <strong>Midwifery</strong>, <strong>Trinity</strong> College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research <strong>Conference</strong><br />

Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007<br />

<strong>Conference</strong> <strong>Proceedings</strong><br />

Back to contents page<br />

Improving <strong>Nursing</strong> Documentation in an Irish Urban<br />

University Hospital<br />

Phase 1 <strong>of</strong> an Action Research Project<br />

Edel Mannion<br />

Special Project Officer in <strong>Nursing</strong> Documentation<br />

Practice Development<br />

University Hospital Galway<br />

Qualifications: Dip NS; BNS and Masters in <strong>Nursing</strong><br />

Contact Number: 086 3601284<br />

Edel.Mannion@mailn.hse.ie<br />

Modern healthcare systems require healthcare pr<strong>of</strong>essionals to<br />

demonstrate the cost effectiveness <strong>of</strong> their interventions: nurses<br />

and midwives are therefore challenged to articulate what it is they<br />

do and its benefits to patients and clients in a way that is<br />

meaningful not only to themselves, but to their multidisciplinary<br />

healthcare, social care and health service administrative colleagues<br />

(National Council for the Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Development <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nursing</strong> and<br />

<strong>Midwifery</strong>, 2006). At present this is not being achieved and there<br />

have been repeated concerns regarding nursing documentation.<br />

Nurses are striving to demonstrate, record and articulate what it is<br />

they do. An increase in the complexity <strong>of</strong> patients health problems,<br />

nursing and midwifery workload, the increase in the amount <strong>of</strong> data<br />

available and patients participation in the decision making can<br />

present challenges to nursing and midwifery care and to the<br />

accuracy <strong>of</strong> its documentation ( Karkkainen and Eriksson, 2005).<br />

The current system <strong>of</strong> documentation in the GUH (Galway University<br />

Hospital) has been identified as a risk from individual nurses, clinical<br />

nurse managers, Clinical nurse specialists, Risk advisors, Patient<br />

complaints <strong>of</strong>ficer and management.<br />

According to An Bord Altranais’ inspection <strong>of</strong> the GUH in 2006, a<br />

more systematic approach needs to be taken in relation to nursing<br />

care plans where nursing priority needs are identified and patient<br />

outcomes recorded.<br />

An audit <strong>of</strong> nursing documentation was carried out in the GUH in<br />

February 2007. All nursing observation charts, narrative notes and<br />

evidence <strong>of</strong> any care plans were included in the audit. 5<br />

discharged patients charts were audited on every ward. The results<br />

proved disappointing with 100% non-compliance on some<br />

observation forms. However, this may be due to the many pieces<br />

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