Wednesday, November 20, 2013

St. Joseph Hospital Nurses Publish Behavioral Health Article

Congratulations to Beth Winokur, PhD, RN, Jeannine Loucks, MSN, RN and their colleagues from St. Jude and Mission Hospitals for publishing their findings on a behavioral health competency tool for RNs working on non-behavioral health units.

Journal for Nurses in Professional Development.
2013 Sep-Oct;29(5):255-62. doi: 10.1097/01.NND.0000433150.18384.1c. Hospital staff nurse perceptions of competency to care for patients with psychiatric or behavioral health concerns. 
Rutledge DN, Wickman ME, Cacciata M, Winokur EJ, Loucks J, Drake D.

Abstract Disruptive behaviors are common among hospitalized patients with psychiatric and substance abuse behaviors. Nurses working on nonpsychiatric units, however, may lack competencies to care for patients with such behaviors. A survey was developed and administered to 844 nurses across three hospital settings that revealed a lack of nurse confidence to intervene in situations that require de-escalation techniques and crisis communication. This study provides direction for further research and interventions in hospital settings with similar professional development needs.

This is the second article Dr. Winokur and her colleagues have published on their behavioral health competency tool.   St. Joseph Hospital staff have access to the full article by contacting the Burlew Medical Library.