A study of staffing models in ICU: a realist evaluation (SEISMIC-R)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Study to Evaluate the Introduction of new Staffing Models in Intensive Care: a Realist evaluation (SEISMIC-R)
IRAS ID
316667
Contact name
Natalie Pattison
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hertfordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Background: Having enough nurses to deliver safe, quality care in intensive care units (ICU) is important. There is national guidance, re-issued in September 2021, on how many nurses should care for ICU patients. However, what the skill mix should be (how many should be qualified nurses or have an ICU qualification) is unclear. Very little research has been done to look at which nursing staff combinations and mix of skills works best in ICU to support patients (described as ‘staffing models’).
Aim: Our research will look at different staffing models across the UK. We will examine new staffing models in ICUs across six different Trusts. We will use research called Realist Evaluation that examines what works best in different situations and helps us to understand why some things work for some people and not others. We will examine what combinations of staff numbers and skills result in better patient care and improved survival rates. Our aim is to produce a template that every ICU can use.
Methods:
1. Carry out a national survey to understand the different staff models being used, comparing this against the current national standard (n=294 ICUs in the UK).
2. Observe (ethnography) how people at work in 6 different hospitals, watching how they make decisions around staffing and the effect on patients. We will conduct 30 interviews and undertake 30 ethnographic observations to understand staffing decisions.
3. Look at ICU staffing patterns and models, and linked patient outcomes (e.g whether people survive ICU). We will conduct mathematical calculations to understand the best possible staffing combinations.Patient Public Involvement/Engagement [PPI/E]: We will recruit public members to stakeholder and expert advisory panels to help provide insights around different staffing models.
Dissemination: The PPI/E partners will help us to explain to a wider audience what we learn.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SW/0028
Date of REC Opinion
30 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion