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Publication Date
6-2021
Keywords
covid-19; 2019-nCoV; 2021 prov rn ca; 2021 prov rn poster; california; tarzana; 2021 prov rn wa; spokane; plcmmc; pshmc
Disciplines
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition | Nursing
Abstract
Background: The Quadruple Aim recommends that healthcare institutions support clinician well-being as a strategy to improve patient and caregiver outcomes. During the COVID-19 global pandemic, Registered Nurses (RNs) working full-time, 12-hour shifts have reported increasing health concerns. Therefore, research documenting objective information on preventive health habits of RN’s is needed to support nursing well-being. Yet, conducting bio-behavioral research in this population, especially during the pandemic, presents with unique challenges. Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study to assess the feasibility of collecting and evaluating health data from RNs working full-time, 12-hour shifts across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods/Approach: This observational descriptive study recruited 12-hour shift RNs working in a large health system in the United States. RNs wore a wrist actigraph for 10 days, maintained a seven-day electronic food diary, tracked daily step counts using a wrist pedometer, and optionally provided two stool samples for sequencing analysis. Nurses completed an online screening form to assess for study eligibility, and were contacted by a research team member to provide consent if they met eligibility criteria. Research staff created and shared a digital workbook to explain the protocol as well as an interactive online course to provide standardized education on completing electronic food diaries. Participants were mailed devices for tracking health habits. Research staff were available to participants via phone call or email to answer questions at any point during the study. Participants were invited to complete an optional post-study feedback survey to describe the experience of being involved in the study. Recruitment began in October 2020 and the study is still open for participant enrollment. Results: At this time, 82 nurses met study criteria and 49 consented to participate (n=27day shift and n=22night shift). Of these, 37 volunteered to provide a stool specimen. Of the consented nurses, a total of 5 have withdrawn for reasons such as family or school issues. Out of 32 nurses who have completed the study, 22 provided a stool specimen, 2 forgot to collect despite consenting, and9 nurses provided feedback where 66% reported reviewing the online module course. Of those who completed the study, 100% successfully captured sleep data using the wrist actigraph, yet 15.6% required research staff assistance with documenting some aspect of the food diaries. Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that it is feasible for nurses to provide objective health information in the context of working full-time, 12-hour shifts during a global pandemic. Future work is needed to understand best strategies for conducting bio-behavioral research among RNs providing direct patient care in the hospital setting. Implication to Practice: Research is needed to characterize health habits of nurses, particularly those providing full-time, direct patient care, to support caregiver well-being and facilitate optimal patient outcomes. Preliminary findings suggest that while barriers exist that restrict nursing involvement in bio-behavioral studies, especially during the pandemic, nurses may successfully participate in studies which could leverage understanding of short and long-term health needs for this population.
Specialty/Research Institute
Nursing
Specialty/Research Institute
Nutrition
Conference / Event Name
2021 Providence RN Conference
Location
Virtual Conference
