ObjectiveTo discuss the application and effect of PDCA cycle in urgent values management in surgical intensive care unit. MethodsWe analyzed the quality of 141 cases of urgent value reports in surgical intensive care unit from May to July 2013 before the application of PDCA management. The quality of urgent values were totally controlled by PDCA circle. There were 135 cases of urgent value reports after the use of PDCA cycle. The data including qualify rate of specimens, record specification rate, and handover of urgent values were compared between the two groups of urgent values. ResultsAfter the application of PDCA cycle management, the awareness rate of urgent value content and disposal processes among medical staffs increased from 75% to 95%, with significant improvement in the quality rate of samples, recording and processing of urgent values and the quality rate of recording. ConclusionThe application of PDCA circle management can constantly correct the problems and ensure the policy implementation in the urgent values system in clinical departments, which can promote continuous quality improvement.
ObjectiveTo explore the psychological pressure in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses and the sources of their pressure. MethodWe investigated the ICU nurses in West China Hospital with a self-designed psychological pressure questionnaire from March to September 2013. ResultsThe total stress level of ICU nurses was 2.89±0.86. The top five sources were low salaries and welfare benefits (3.37±0.61), high frequency of night work (3.31±0.88), wide need of knowledge (3.22±0.41), heavy workload (3.20±0.80) and chronic fatigue syndrome (3.19±0.75). ConclusionsGreat psychological pressure exists in ICU nurses. We urgently need effective approaches to relieve the stress of ICU nurses in order to improve the efficiency and quality of nursing service.