Implications for Continuing Education

Improving continuity of care across psychiatric and emergency services: combining patient data within a participatory action research framework

Presented with the concerns of emergency department nurses about providing appropriate and co-ordinated care for patients seeking mental health services, a Monash University School of Nursing, Victoria, Australia, research team chose a participatory action research strategy. Jointly executed with staff from the Peninsula Health Care Network, the research process brought together in a number of fora multiple disciplines involved in the care and management of psychiatric patients. The participatory action research process itself was the first step in remedial action. Through it, participants and management gained a firmer view of the issues facing Frankston Hospital Emergency Department staff in dealing with psychiatric patients, and in securing their access to suitable pathways of care. Other research outcomes included: a compilation of summary statistics showing patterns of use by psychiatric patients of Frankston Hospital's Emergency Department; beginning discussions about pathways of care for these patients; and the development of a screening tool to be used by the triage nurse for at-risk psychiatric patients presenting to the Emergency Department.

Reasons Why Emergency Nurses Take or Do Not Take the Certification Examination in Emergency Nursing

The purpose of this descriptive, exploratory study was to identify reasons that motivate the emergency nurse to take the Certification Exam for Emergency Nursing (CEN exam); reasons certified emergency nurses (CEN) give concerning their decisions to recertify; and a comparison of demographic characteristics in relation to these reasons. A random sample of 500 registered nurses who are currently members of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and who are working in the emergency department was obtained from the ENA. These nurses received a questionnaire packet containing a cover letter explaining the purpose of the study, a combined Educational Participation Scale (EPS) and Deterrents to Participation Scale (DPS), a personal data questionnaire, and a return envelope.

Psychiatric Crises: Making the Most of an Emergency Room Visit

A hospital-based or comprehensive mental health system may attract many patients for a variety of reasons. Labeling a patient's difficulties as "true crises" or "non-crises" detracts from providing growth-producing insights for the patient and identifying useful management strategies for the therapist. The challenge is to foster the patient's emotional development and to facilitate his entry into treatment or strengthen his established treatment. Making the most out of the emergency room visit means exploring appropriate issues with the patient and discussing the content with any therapist who is involved with the patient.