| dc.description.abstract | Background:
Older people are entitled to a high standard of quality person-centred care. Reasons
for impaired decision making during acute deterioration may be, noncompliance and
inadequate escalation of National Early Warning Score (NEWS), lack of knowledge
of who is making the decision and the factors that can affect this. Do Not Attempt
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) and the misunderstanding of this policy.
Personal attitudes and stigma towards older people can also affect decision making.
All these factors can affect the way in which decisions are made during an episode
of acute deterioration for older people.
Aims:
1. To investigate clinical decision making in nurses during an episode of acute
deterioration of older people.
2. To establish nurses’ understanding of policy on escalation of care during
acute deterioration in older people.
3. To explore nurses’ values and attitudes towards treating older people
compared to those who are younger.
Methods:
Using a descriptive exploratory methodology, the aims will be investigated using
semi-structured interviews. These will consist of giving 5 registered nurses and 5
student nurses two vignettes and allowing them to discuss what they would do.
Interviews will be audio recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis.
Conclusion:
Further education is recommended to enhance awareness and improve practice for
nurses’ decision making during acute deterioration in older people. This would
include education on local NEWS and DNACPR policy and gerontology education. | en |
