Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Sickle cell disease is associated with frequent vaso-occlusive episode and emergency department visits. Our group developed (1) a vaso-occlusive episode treatment algorithm based on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommendations, and (2) a case management referral form to identify social behavioral health needs of patients with sickle cell disease in the emergency department. The aims of this project were to (1) disseminate the vaso-occlusive episode algorithm and case management referral form, and (2) to evaluate the individual provider-reported awareness, use, and preferred method of access to each tool among emergency department providers in North Carolina. ⋯ This study can be used to inform future strategies on dissemination of evidence-based tools to emergency department providers.
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Nurse educators are confronted with ensuring skills competency and staff compliance to support the provision of safe and quality care. The ED setting presents additional challenges when conducting skills competency training. One military hospital's emergency department implemented a method of frequent, concise skills training sessions to overcome barriers unique to the ED setting; the same method was then implemented at a second military organization owing to the effectiveness of the training approach to increase staff compliance. This article outlines the methods for the implementation of frequent, concise skills training sessions, and it displays the cost savings and increased compliance experienced by the 2 health care organizations after the implementation of this frequent, concise skills training method.