“Exploring post resuscitation debriefing practices in acute hospital settings”.
Abstract
Background Current resuscitation guidelines outline the importance of engagement in post
resuscitation debriefings to promote learning and practice improvement (Resuscitation
Council UK 2015; European Resuscitation Council 2020). However, it is recognised
that often formal debriefings do not occur following resuscitation events in the UK
(Resuscitation Council UK 2020). This study aims to further explore post resuscitation
debriefing practices in acute hospital settings.
Literature review The literature review focussed on “Exploring the influence of debriefing on healthcare
professionals’ non-technical skills and team performance in resuscitation
management”. Overall, it identified that effective post resuscitation debriefing can
improve non-technical skills and team performance, however barriers are identified
which influence the effectiveness of this process. Further, a gap in the evidence is
evident as limited research evidence is available which explores nursing specific
experiences of post resuscitation debriefings.
Research Proposal The research proposal aims to address this gap by exploring “Nurses’ experiences of
post resuscitation debriefings in acute settings”. The overarching aim of this study is
to gain an understanding of nurses’ experiences of cardiopulmonary resuscitations,
specifically, post resuscitation debriefings in acute areas.
Methods This study will utilise a descriptive phenomenological approach. Ten individual audio
recorded semi-structured interviews will be conducted with participants gathered
through purposive sampling who meet eligibility criteria. Interviews and field notes will
be analysed using a rigorous seven step descriptive phenomenological method
(Colaizzi 1978).
Conclusion This study will recognise and present the lived experiences and voices of nursing staff
involved in resuscitation management. Findings from this study could be used to
enhance post resuscitation debriefing practices, with the potential to improve
performances in future resuscitation events thus maximising patient outcomes.