Perception of Transfer Job and Liaison Nursing among Nurses in Neurological Intensive Care Units

전실업무와 연계간호에 대한 신경계 중환자실 간호사의 인식

Purpose: This study aimed to describe how nurses in neurological intensive care units (ICU) perceive their roles about patient transfer and liaison. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire developed for the study. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 115 nurses working in the neurological intensive care units ofsix university hospitals. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 15.0). Results: Staff nurses were mainly in charge of patient transfer, and the awareness about its importance was significantly related with the burden about the practice of patient transfer (p<.001). Patient liaison was mainly conducted by staff nurses as well. Liaison practice wassuggested to be started from the ICU at the time of transfer; the suggested time for completion of liaison service and evaluation was when patients were adjusted to the transferred ward. Preparing job descriptions and increasing nursing staffing for patient liasion service were strongly recommended. Conclusion: The results suggest that the ICU nurses' burden in relation to patient transfer is commensurate with their awareness about itsimportance. To improve the continuity of care from ICU to transferred ward, it isrequired to reduce the burden about patient transfer and improve perceptions about patient liaison.