Improving Patient Safety under Acute Care in ICU

Running head: IMPROVING PATIENT SAFETY IN ICU 1
Improving Patient Safety under Acute Care in ICU
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IMPROVING PATIENT SAFETY IN ICU 2
Improving Patient Safety under Acute Care in ICU
Introduction
This assignment will describe the important nursing interventions used in improving
the improvement of patient safety in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Arranging and
performing patient transfers in the Intensive Care Unit are the routine functions and
responsibilities of nurses and other professionals in the healthcare setting (Singer, Lin,
Falwell, Gaba, & Baker, 2009). Ultimate approaches are provided in the literature for
improving patient safety during transfers and transportation processes. This research paper
aims to describe some of the effective strategies to be used in improving patient safety in the
ICU department. This paper involves critical analysis and evaluation of the articles and/or
literature materials containing insightful information for ensuring efficacy services to patients
under acute care. The Intensive Care Units (ICUs) provide lifesaving care services to patients
in critical conditions (Cameron et al., 2015). The analysis of the literature has shown that
patients under acute care are normally affected by significant risks during different events
and practices in healthcare setting.
Serious medical errors may also occur from the interactions between healthcare
officers from a different department (Cecconi, et al., 2015). Also, the association between
healthcare professionals and patients may result in serious medical errors and events. This
paper review five articles from credible sources in the process of identifying appropriate
nursing strategies and approaches to be used in improving patient safety and overall
outcomes in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs). an annotated bibliography is used in this
research because a wide range of information can be obtained for ensuring effective practice
in nursing services; therefore, providing appropriate strategies for improving patient safety in
ICUs. A quantitative methodology was used in the research based on the data representation

IMPROVING PATIENT SAFETY IN ICU 3
provided in the selected literature materials. Appropriate research questions are developed in
the study to guide in the identification of relevant strategies and interventions to be used in
improving patient safety in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
Research questions
What are the appropriate interventions used in improving patient safety in the ICUs?
How can nurses reduce medical errors in the ICUs?
How can nurses ensure safety in the transfer of patients under acute care?
How does early mobilization in the ICUs improve patient safety?
What is the appropriate medical surveillance used in improving patient safety in ICUs?
Dubb, R., Nydahl, P., Hermes, C., Schwabbauer, N., Toonstra, A., Parker, A. M., &
Needham, D. M. (2016). Barriers and strategies for the early mobilization of patients
in intensive care units. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 13(5), 724-730.
The conducted research was about the strategies and barriers to immediate
mobilization of the critically injured patients in the ICUs. In this article, various
approaches are provided for improving patient safety through mobilization as a
therapeutic model. The setting of the research is the ICU and the participants are
nurses and medical officers. A quantitative approach is used in the research while
interviews were conducted to identify the views of the health care officers on how the
early mobilization of patients in the ICUs improves their safety. 10 nurses and two
medical officers were interviewed. 6 nurses and 1 medical officer supported the
mobilization strategy in the healthcare setting. Early mobilization of patients suffering
from acute respiratory condition improves their recovery and prevents stigmatization.
Also, early mobilization of patients with serious fractures improves their safety