Prerequisites for safe intraoperative nursing care and teamwork-Operating theatre nurses' perspectives: A qualitative interview study

Abstract

Aim: To describe operating theatre nurses' experience of preconditions for safe intraoperative nursing care and teamwork.

Background: Surgical interventions are often needed for patients' well-being and survival from health problems. Adequate information to professionals responsible within the surgical organisation is of importance for patient safety in connection to the surgery. The members in the surgical team need correct information about the patients' health and planned care. The information is mainly transferred by computerised systems that do not necessarily provide all information needed.

Method: A qualitative descriptive design was chosen. Narrative interviews were carried out with 16 experienced operating theatre nurses in four different hospitals in rural and urban areas in Sweden. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The study complied with criteria to Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

Result: Operating theatre nurses strived to get adequate information about the patients' care, the surgical intervention and the equipment to be well prepared for intraoperative nursing care. The information from the computerised systems was described as fragmented and obliged the operating theatre nurses to demand a preoperative dialogue between the members of the surgical team. Professional collegial teamwork and committed leadership were considered to enhance patient safety.

Conclusion: From the operating theatre nurses' perspective, prerequisites for intraoperative safe nursing care and teamwork depend upon a preoperative dialogue between the members in the surgical team for collegial teamwork, obtaining a reliable preoperative overall picture based on adequate information transfer, and the support of a committed first-line manager.

Relevance to clinical practice: The operating theatre nurses need a reliable preoperative overall picture in advance, to be able to be well prepared for the patients' surgery. The overall picture should be based on adequate data about the patients' health status and needs, details about the surgical intervention and prescriptions.

Keywords: content analysis; information; patient safety; perioperative nursing care; prerequisites; teamwork.