title: Intensive care nurses' perceptions of Inter Specialty Trauma Nursing Rounds to improve trauma patient care-A quality improvement project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trauma patient management is complex and challenging for nurses in the Intensive Care Unit. One strategy to promote quality and evidence based care may be through utilising specialty nursing experts both internal and external to the Intensive Care Unit in the form of a nursing round. Inter Specialty Trauma Nursing Rounds have the potential to improve patient care, collaboration and nurses' knowledge.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve trauma patient care and evaluate the nurses perception of improvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  The project included structured, weekly rounds that were conducted at the bedside. Nursing experts and others collaborated to assess and make changes to trauma patients' care. The rounds were evaluated to assess the nurse's perception of improvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 132 trauma patients assessed. A total of 452 changes to patient care occurred. On average, three changes per patient resulted. Changes included nursing management, medical management and wound care. Nursing staff reported an overall improvement of trauma patient care, trauma knowledge, and collaboration with colleagues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inter Specialty Trauma Nursing Rounds utilizes expert nursing knowledge. They are suggested as an innovative way to address the clinical challenges of caring for trauma patients and are perceived to enhance patient care and nursing knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Intensive Care Unit, Ipswich Road, QLD 4102, Australia. Electronic address: Fiona.jennings@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Fiona L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.affiliation: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Intensive Care Unit, Ipswich Road, QLD 4102, Australia; Centre of Health Practice Innovation, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000379:methods; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D036301:Qualitative Research; D058996:Quality Improvement; D056164:Teaching Rounds / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D000078329:Workforce; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing*
keywords: Bedside teaching; Collaboration; Critical care; Intensive care; Nursing rounds; Trauma rounds