Covid Nurse
The development, testing and evaluation of a COVID-19 fundamental nursing care protocol: a randomised controlled trial.
At the outset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, UK nurses and other healthcare professionals reported not feeling fully confident in delivering care to COVID-19 patients (who were not invasively ventilated). The requirement to wear PPE during care delivery and frequent re-deployment to unfamiliar clinical environments all contributed to staff uncertainties.
The aim of the COVID-NURSE study is to co-create and evaluate the impact on patient experience, care quality, functional ability, treatment outcomes and costs of a nursing care protocol specifically addressing the fundamental care requirements of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 (not invasively ventilated).
Methods
This is a cluster randomised trial of a nursing guideline compared to usual care for inpatients with COVID-19 who are not invasively ventilated.
The experimental intervention (nursing guideline) has been co-created by nurses and patients to help overcome the barriers to care experienced by nurses in the pandemic and to minimize missed care. Co-creation was complete via an on-line survey of 1700 nurses, a rapid systematic review and consensus groups of patients and nurses.
The intervention consists of multiple examples of practice innovations and learning from nurses who cared for patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic.
It includes a guideline, trigger posters, management support and some online support materials that include:
- Step by step online learning
- Short expert videos from scientists, patients, nurses and carers
- Masses of useful information for nursing COVID-19 patients
- Can be revisited whenever nurses want to, again and again
- Quick quizzes to help nurses remember what they’ve learnt
- Help nurses feel supported and appreciated and know they’re doing well
- Shared findings and feedback from nurses locally and nationally
The intervention is being tested in practice through the cluster randomised trial, which involves the entire hospital being allocated to the intervention or usual care arm rather than individual patients.
At least 18 participating sites across the UK will recruit 60 patient participants who will complete on-line questionnaire related to the quality and effectiveness of care during their admission. Nurses caring for these patients will be invited to participate in interviews to better understand the fidelity of the care guideline (intervention).
Results from the trial are expected during summer 2022.
Publications
Royal Berkshire NHS – Research & Development @BerksResearch- Jul 2, 2021- “Research goes beyond the Research and Development department at our Trust. Multi-disciplinary working is an essential part of offering our patients the chance to take part in research. #ThankYou #HealthResearch #MultiDisciplinery @jessicaemilybea @COVIDNURSEProj1
Heather Rostron, @RostronHeather “So proud too! Fantastic to have a St Nurse actively delivering a nurse-led RCT” @julesaevans1 @wadsy76 @LeedsHealthcare @HChristodoulide @JanetHirst1 @LisaChiefNurse @crf_leeds @covid19leeds @UoLStudents #nihr70at70
Research Group: KHP, Long term Conditions
Project Funder
Medical Research Council (MRC)
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Project Team
Professor Dave Richards, Professor of Mental Health Services Research and Head of Nursing, NIHR Senior Investigator Emeritu
Professor Heather Iles-Smith, Professor of Nursing, SHS, UoS/Northern Care Alliance
Professor Joanne Cooper, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham
Dr Susanne Cruickshank, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London
Professor Anne Marie Rafferty, King’s College London
Dr Holly V. R. Sugg, University of Exeter
Emma Cockcroft, University of Exeter
Faye Doris, University of Exeter
Dr Claire Hulme, University of Exeter
Phillipa Logan, University of Nottingham
Dr G.J. Melendez-Torres, University of Exeter
Nigel Reed, University of Exeter
Dr Anne-Marie Russell, University of Exeter
Dr Maggie Shepherd, University of Exeter
Sally J. Singh, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Jo Thompson Coon, University of Exeter
Susannah Tooze, University of Exeter
Stephen Wotton, University of Southampton
Rebecca Abbott, University of Exeter
Alison Bethel, University of Exeter
Dr Siobhan Creanor, University of Exeter
Lynne Quinn, University of Exeter
Harry Tripp, University of Exeter
Fiona C. Warren, University of Exeter
Rebecca Whear, University of Exeter
Jessica Bollen, University of Exeter
Harriet A. Hunt, University of Exeter
Merryn Kent, University of Exeter
Leila Morgan, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
Naomi Morley, University of Exeter
Lidia Romanczuk, University of Exeter.