An ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous (UGPIV) quality improvement project occurred in an 849-bed tertiary care hospital with a goal to reduce the use of central lines, in particular, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). Since implementation, PICCs have decreased by 46.7% overall, and 59 nurses in-hospital are competent in placing UGPIVs. Placement of UGPIVs by the bedside nurse is a key initiative in decreasing PICC use and, potentially, infections.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of inpatient nursing specialties on the perceptions of workplace violence. BACKGROUND The association between nursing specialty and the perception of workplace violence has not been identified. METHODS An evaluation of inpatient nurses’ perceptions of workplace violence at a single health system was conducted using a modified Survey of Violence Experienced by Staff instrument. RESULTS Of the respondents, 87.2% experienced workplace violence, of which 96.3% was patient related. Patient-initiated verbal abuse, threats, and physical assault frequency differed significantly based on specialty. Post hoc comparisons further elucidate the differences in specialty populations. CONCLUSION Workplace violence is a nursing concern; however, the frequency in which workplace violence occurs differs based on specialty. The frequency of threats and injuries to nursing staff was significantly higher in medical and trauma units.

Futility in health care demonstrates components of a cyclical process and a consensus definition is proposed. A framework is developed to clarify the concept and articulate relationships among attributes, antecedents and consequences. Further testing of the proposed definition and framework are needed.