SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Assessment of Nursing Concerns After Behavioral Emergency Response Team Evaluations

Pdf Summary

The document describes an evaluation of a Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) at Parkland, focusing on nursing concerns during behavioral emergencies and comparing nurse perspectives with BERT documentation. A 7-question survey, developed with input from clinical and administrative staff, was given to primary or charge nurses involved in behavioral emergencies over nine months. Their responses were compared with BERT’s electronic medical record templates, yielding 39 matched cases.<br /><br />Key findings showed that many nurses experienced staffing-related challenges, especially when administering PRN agitation medications: 38% felt staffing was insufficient, while 49% reported no challenges placing restraints and 13% reported no challenges giving PRNs. BERT commonly used medication as its primary intervention (60%), while verbal de-escalation was primary in 23% of events. Nursing staff generally used verbal de-escalation, but BERT used it as a core strategy in about half of emergencies, including as the primary intervention in one-quarter of cases, suggesting room to expand nursing skills in this area.<br /><br />The authors conclude that additional nurse simulation training for behavioral health emergencies could improve verbal de-escalation, restraint use, and PRN medication administration. They also propose that better preparedness may improve nurse morale, engagement, and retention, while continuing to enhance patient and staff safety.

Asset Subtitle

Anita Hegde

Meta Tag

Author List Anita Hegde, Fuad Khan, Henriette Mathis, John Cline, Naveen Balakrishnan

Category Research

Concept Behavioral Response Team

Concept Behavioral Emergency

Concept Patient Safety

Concept Verbal De-escalation

Concept Agitation Medication

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization UT Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Health

Presenting Author Anita Hegde

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

Behavioral Emergency Response Team

BERT

nursing concerns

behavioral emergencies

verbal de-escalation

PRN agitation medications

restraints

nurse simulation training

patient safety

staffing challenges

Behavioral Response Team

Behavioral Emergency

Patient Safety

Verbal De-escalation

Agitation Medication