Aston University has published a paper setting out best practice on enhanced therapeutic observations for healthcare professionals. It has been published as a continuing professional development (CPD) article by the Royal College of Nursing and is designed to support nurses, nursing associates and healthcare support workers.
Enhanced therapeutic observations (ETOC) are used in nursing when a patient requires closer observation for their health and wellbeing. There are different levels of ETOC, for example, constant observation of a patient within eyesight, or constant observation within arm’s length, as well as intermittent observations such as every 15 minutes. It is only a temporary measure used when absolutely necessary, but can present challenges, so it needs to be delivered with compassion, always ensuring dignity and respectful care.
Samantha Chapman, a teaching fellow in mental health nursing, co-wrote the article, Role of enhanced therapeutic observations and care in maintaining the well-being and safety of mental health inpatients, with lead author Helen Rees, professional lead nurse educator at Priory, the UK’s largest independent healthcare provider.
One of the biggest challenges is the amount of time healthcare staff and the patient will spend together during periods of ETOC. The article looks at how this longer period of contact can be delivered in a therapeutic and meaningful way to support the patient in their recovery, avoiding relationship burnout.
Chapman and Rees were concerned that there was very little in the literature about ETOC, and that the type of observation goes by many different names. In writing the article, they have sought to unify the published knowledge and provide evidence-based information to share with nurses, nursing associates and healthcare support workers, as well as students on healthcare courses.
Chapman said: “More research is needed in this area to explore how enhanced therapeutic observations can and should be delivered to be recovery focused and a supportive intervention for the patient. They should not be a tick box exercise, and they do require a lot of emotional intelligence and therapeutic skill on behalf of the healthcare staff delivering the care.
“It is hoped that this article enables these important discussions to be expanded, to encourage others to think about how these observations are delivered ensuring the patient is at the centre of care provided.”
Visit https://tinyurl.com/4cjsbte4 to read the paper in full.
