No abstract

ObjectivesDespite growing recognition of the importance of speaking up to protect patient safety in critical care, little research has been performed in this area in an intensive care unit (ICU) context. This study explored the communication openness perceptions of Chinese doctors and nurses and identified their perceptions of issues in ICU communication, their reasons for speaking up and the possible factors and strategies involved in promoting the practice of speaking up.DesignA mixed-methods design with quantitative and sequential qualitative components was used.Setting and participantsEighty ICU staff members from a large public hospital in Hong Kong completed a questionnaire regarding their perceptions of communication openness. Ten clinicians whose survey responses indicated support for open communication were then interviewed about their speak-up practices.ResultsThe participating ICU staff members had similar perceptions of their openness to communication. However, the doctors responded more positively than the nurses to many aspects of communication openness. The two groups also had different perceptions of speaking up. The interviewed ICU staff members who indicated a high level of communication openness reported that their primary reasons for speaking up were to seek and clarify information, which was achieved by asking questions. Other factors perceived to influence the motivation to speak up included seniority, relationships and familiarity with patient cases.ConclusionsCreating an atmosphere of safety and equality in which team members feel confident in expressing their personal views without fear of reprisal or embarrassment is necessary to encourage ICU staff members, regardless of their position, to speak up. Because harmony and saving face is valued in Chinese culture, training nurses and doctors to speak up by focusing on human factors and values rather than simply addressing conflict management is desirable in this context.

Providing the best possible care for the child and family is paramount to health professionals working in paediatric palliative care. However, there is little research which enables practitioners to question their current practice. There are concerns about conducting research on children receiving palliative care at such a sensitive time for the child and his/her family. These concerns must be considered against the growing demand for clear standards and guidelines for practice within health care. According to the Department of Health (DoH) there is no place within the modern healthcare system for the adoption of unproven theories or outdated care (DoH, 1998). While no-one would question the dedication and care being delivered to children and their families by well-trained staff, the lack of research is a cause for concern. A group of students undertaking a degree module in paediatric palliative care identified the lack of literature and research in this area and have undertaken a review of the available literature.

Purpose: Use of anticoagulation in patients on ECMO, especially in Chinese, has always been difficult. This study aimed to review the incidence of bleeding, thrombosis, and transfusion requirement in Chinese ECMO patients and to identify risk factors for bleeding complications. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of a tertiary hospital from 2010 to 2018. Patients aged ⩾18 years who received ECMO were included. The primary outcome was incidence of bleeding. Secondary outcomes included ICU mortality, hospital mortality, and length of the ICU and hospital stay. Results: Of the 130 patients, 55(42.3%) had at least one bleeding events and thrombosis occurred in 37(28.5%). A lower fibrinogen level (adjusted OR 0.56 (0.36–0.86), p = 0.009), bloodstream infection (adjusted OR 2.76 (1.01–7.53), p = 0.047) and longer duration on ECMO (adjusted OR 1.14 (1.02–1.27), p = 0.018) were independently associated with occurrence of bleeding. APTT (adjusted OR 0.99 (0.97–1.01), p = 0.370) and platelet count (adjusted OR 1.00 (0.98–1.01), p = 0.632) were not statistically significant risk factors for bleeding events. Conclusions: Bleeding and thrombosis were common complications in Chinese patients receiving ECMO. Hypofibrinogenemia and bloodstream infection, but not APTT nor platelet counts, were independent risk factors for bleeding events.