Emergency department (ED) crowding is a patient safety concern that has been increasing for more than a decade. Increased visits have resulted in ED crowding, longer wait times, ambulance diversions, and boarding of admitted patients (Hing & Bhuiya, 2012). Numerous factors affect ED crowding. Once various extraneous issues are resolved and a bed is available for a patient, it becomes the responsibility of nurses across unit boundaries to coordinate the patient transfer. This study applies Relational Coordination Theory (RCT) as a framework to provide nurses insight into the relational aspects of their work in the transfer of ED patients to inpatient beds. Relational coordination is a mutually reinforcing process of interaction between communication and relationships that is carried out for the purpose of task interaction. It is useful for coordinating work that is highly interdependent, uncertain, and time constrained (Gittell, 2002). Nurses work during ED transfers requires task interaction as they coordinate
their efforts. This study, guided by RCT, will examine relational and communication dynamics among nurses within their own units and across unit boundaries as they interact during ED transfers. A cross-sectional, descriptive design will explore the seven dimensions of Relational Coordination (RC) during ED admissions and explain nurses relational and communication dimensions that may influence ED boarding times. The results of this study provide new information and a sound theoretical model on which to base future research.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:vcu.edu/oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-5004 |
| Date | 01 January 2015 |
| Creators | Coffey, Mary |
| Publisher | VCU Scholars Compass |
| Source Sets | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | © The Author |
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