title: Evaluating Isolation Behaviors by Nurses Using Mobile Computer Workstations at the Bedside.
abstract: This secondary analysis from a larger mixed methods study with a sequential explanatory design investigates the clinical challenges for nurses providing patient care, in an airborne and contact isolation room, while using a computer on wheels for medication administration in a simulated setting. Registered nurses, who regularly work in clinical care at the patient bedside, were recruited as study participants in the simulation and debriefing experience. A live volunteer acted as the standardized patient who needed assessment and intravenous pain medication. The simulation was video recorded in a typical hospital room to observe participating nurses conducting patient care in an airborne and contact isolation situation. Participants then reviewed their performance with study personnel in a formal, audio-recorded debriefing. Isolation behaviors were scored by an expert panel, and the debriefing sessions were analyzed. Considerable variation was found in behaviors related to using a computer on wheels while caring for a patient in isolation. Currently, no nursing care guidelines exist on the use of computers on wheels in an airborne and contact isolation room. Specific education is needed on nursing care processes for the proper disinfection of computers on wheels and the reduction of the potential for disease transmission from environmental contamination.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Nursing, Omaha, NE (Dr Beam); Department of Environmental Health, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN (Dr Gibbs); Infectious Diseases, UNMC College of Medicine, Omaha, NE (Dr Hewlett); Pathology/Microbiology, UNMC College of Medicine, Omaha, NE (Dr Iwen); The Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE (Dr Nuss); and Infectious Diseases, UNMC College of Medicine, Omaha, NE (Dr Smith).
authors.forename: Elizabeth L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Beam
authors.forename: Shawn G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: Angela L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hewlett
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Iwen
authors.forename: Suzanne L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Nuss
authors.forename: Philip W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003201:Computers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000379:methods*; D016544:Patient Simulation; D014741:Video Recording