This study was the first to examine disposal practices and associated risk factors for poor disposal methods among patients in a U.S. tertiary medical center. A large portion of patients was found to have improper sharps disposal practices. Prior formal training in sharps disposal was associated with higher rates of correct practices, suggesting that increased emphasis on provider-patient education can lead to significant improvement in disposal habits.

Background The direct admission process is a complex system that can be aggravated by inherent gaps in communication leading to inefficient continuity of care and patient safety issues. Bypassing the emergency room, triage is often associated with long periods of unmonitored observation and significant delays in patient assessment. We identified significant communication gaps, delays in placement of admission orders and patient assessment during the direct admission process at our institution. To address this issue, we created and implemented a standardised direct admission flow diagram that consists of a step-by-step direct admission process, which includes a communication device and a triage power plan in the Electronic Medical Record. Methods We used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model for Quality improvement to address communication gaps in the direct admission process Baseline measurement confirmed two critical gaps in communication: 1) communication to the Medical Admitting Resident (MAR), the central source of communication of all medicine admissions, and 2) delays in placement of orders and assessment of the patient. Results Two months after implementation of a standardised process that addressed the two major gaps in communication, we found that communication to the MAR increased from 16% (7/42) to 100% (15/15). Additionally, the average time for order placement and assessment of patient decreased from 153 minutes to 53 minutes (n=15). Conclusion In order to improve the safety of direct admissions, the entire process must be carefully analysed and potential delays in patient assessment should be minimised. A standardised flow diagram that identified and targeted specific communication gaps can minimise delays in patient care.

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Background: This study aimed to evaluate correlations between female nurses' needs satisfaction and behavioral intentions for providing sexual health care and to assess moderating effects of learning needs on that correlation. Method: A total of 300 female RNs were enrolled. Two validated instruments were used to collect information on participants' learning needs, needs satisfaction, and behavioral intentions for providing sexual health care. Results: Adjusted multivariable regression analysis revealed significant moderating effects of medium and low learning needs on correlations between needs satisfaction and behavioral intentions (medium learning needs: β = 0.282, 95% CI = 0.075, 0.490; p = .008; low learning needs: β = 0.293, 95% CI = 0.033, 0.553; p = .027), while no moderating effect was observed in those with high learning needs. Conclusion: Needs satisfaction was significantly correlated with behavioral intentions of sexual health care in medium and low learning needs groups. [ J Contin Educ Nurs . 2020;51(10):457–464.]