Executive Summary: Increasing Access to Stress Management Team Services Through a Nurse-Driven Toolkit

Abstract

Aim: To increase stress management resources available to hospitalized patients by implementing a nurse-led stress management toolkit. Design: A pre-post intervention study. Keywords: patient stress, hospital, anxiety, stress management, breathing, relaxation, education, nursing intervention, toolkit, resources Methods: Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the number of toolkits administered, the difference between pre- and post-intervention staff surveys, and the difference in formal stress management consults. Results: A total of seventeen patients received a nurse-driven stress management toolkit during the twelve-week implementation period. Although, there was not a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between pre- and post-intervention staff survey responses, there was a favorable change in five out of the six questions, which favored increased knowledge and confidence. There was not a change in the number of formal stress management consults during the project implementation period. Conclusion: Patient care nurses can increase access to stress management team services by distributing educational materials through a nurse-driven toolkit. Leadership support and nurse participation are essential in producing change and a lasting impact. Implications for Practice: Utilization of nurse-led interventions and toolkits can be used to distribute and provide patient education, which can result in increased availability and decreased wait time.