Acute stress of Australian emergency department nurses - a cross-sectional study
Tracks
Concurrent Stream 3
| Thursday, October 17, 2024 |
| 1:10 PM - 1:30 PM |
| Corinthian Room |
Overview
Lucinda Mithen
Speaker
Ms Lucinda Mithen
Associate Lecturer
University Of Newcastle
Acute stress of Australian emergency department nurses - a cross-sectional study
1:10 PM - 1:30 PMAbstract
Background
Occupational stress in emergency nurses is a growing concern, however, objectively measuring stress is challenging in a real-world setting. Studies that measure stress in nurses have not included the acute stress response during a working shift in an emergency department. Advances in measurement using biomarkers have showed promising results yet have not included emergency nurses or the acute stress response.
Methods
Acute stress was measured using saliva alpha amylase (≥ 50 U/mL), a visual analogue scale of perceived stress (VAS-stress; 0=no stress 10=extreme stress), and heart rate variability (<100 ms) across three timepoints of one shift in an emergency department. Nurses self-collected their saliva and recorded their VAS-stress scores while wearing a POLAR OH1 heart sensor at three timepoints (T1 before shift start, T2 middle of shift, T3 end of shift).
Results
Forty-six emergency nurses self-collected three saliva samples each and recorded their stress scores at three timepoints of one shift. Alpha amylase activity (U/mL) increased from T1 (mean 62.8 SD 60.6) to T2 (m 109 SD 87.5) and remained high (mean 96.9 SD 69.5) at T3 but was not statistically significant. The VAS-stress scores were reported high (4.3%) or moderate (15%) at T1, high (17%) or moderate (52%) at T2 and remained high (9%) or moderate (41%) at T3. Most nurses demonstrated maladjusted HRV across all three timepoints (94%, 93%, 85%) and whole of shift (98%) with statistically significant differences across gender (p=0.016) and nursing experience (p=0.026).
Conclusion
Although the sample size was small results indicate a sustained acute stress state as the working shift progressed and low HRV among most participants indicating maladjustment to work stressors. Alpha amylase, HRV, and the VAS-stress scale show promise for future studies that aim to measure occupational stress that includes the acute stress response in nurses in a real-world setting.
Occupational stress in emergency nurses is a growing concern, however, objectively measuring stress is challenging in a real-world setting. Studies that measure stress in nurses have not included the acute stress response during a working shift in an emergency department. Advances in measurement using biomarkers have showed promising results yet have not included emergency nurses or the acute stress response.
Methods
Acute stress was measured using saliva alpha amylase (≥ 50 U/mL), a visual analogue scale of perceived stress (VAS-stress; 0=no stress 10=extreme stress), and heart rate variability (<100 ms) across three timepoints of one shift in an emergency department. Nurses self-collected their saliva and recorded their VAS-stress scores while wearing a POLAR OH1 heart sensor at three timepoints (T1 before shift start, T2 middle of shift, T3 end of shift).
Results
Forty-six emergency nurses self-collected three saliva samples each and recorded their stress scores at three timepoints of one shift. Alpha amylase activity (U/mL) increased from T1 (mean 62.8 SD 60.6) to T2 (m 109 SD 87.5) and remained high (mean 96.9 SD 69.5) at T3 but was not statistically significant. The VAS-stress scores were reported high (4.3%) or moderate (15%) at T1, high (17%) or moderate (52%) at T2 and remained high (9%) or moderate (41%) at T3. Most nurses demonstrated maladjusted HRV across all three timepoints (94%, 93%, 85%) and whole of shift (98%) with statistically significant differences across gender (p=0.016) and nursing experience (p=0.026).
Conclusion
Although the sample size was small results indicate a sustained acute stress state as the working shift progressed and low HRV among most participants indicating maladjustment to work stressors. Alpha amylase, HRV, and the VAS-stress scale show promise for future studies that aim to measure occupational stress that includes the acute stress response in nurses in a real-world setting.
Biography
Lucinda Mithen is a PhD Candidate who has an extensive background in emergency nursing and critical care nursing with a special interest in triage and trauma care. Lucinda gained a profound respect and admiration for nurses working on the front line of health care. A desire to help improve working conditions and identify contributors to occupational stress has informed her interest in the wellbeing of Australia's nursing workforce, particularly those working in emergency departments. Wanting to contribute to improving the work life of nurses inspired Lucinda to explore ways to help nurses and healthcare organisations prevent, mitigate, and alleviate stress in the workplace. This study is part of Lucinda's thesis that measured acute stress, chronic stress, burnout, and fatigue of emergency department nurses in NSW.
