Care planning in the emergency department

There are many demands placed on staff working in emergency departments such as the currently witnessed overcrowding, bed shortages and long waiting times for patients. Despite these demands nursing care needs to be carefully assessed, planned and documented. This study aimed to examine attitudes of staff towards the use of a nursing care plan in the emergency department. The sample comprised the total population (n = 38) of all nursing staff working in an emergency department at one regional general hospital in the Republic of Ireland. The method adopted was a survey approach which employed the use of standardised questionnaires comprising both open and closed questioning styles. Raw statistical data were analysed using SPSS for Windows while the qualitative data arising from the open-ended questions were manually analysed for themes. The data obtained in this study identified that care plans were valued by respondents, stating that they contribute to holism, increased nurse/patient contact time and better communication. The findings also identified that there is a need for continuing education, further research and a need to address issues in relation to specific patient groups, including paediatrics, minor injuries, mental health and the elderly attending the emergency department.