Öryggi sjúklinga á skurðstofu: rannsókn á starfsaðstæðum og áhrifum skurðhjúkrunar

Abstract

The aim of this study was to gain knowledge of what enhances the safety of patients undergoing operations and what OR nurses perceive as threats to their safety. This was a qualitative study based on interviews with OR nurses and focus group discussions among them. Participants were nurses on two of the OR units at Landspitali University Hospital. Data were analysed using an interpretive content analysis. They reflect factors in OR nursing that enhance patient safety such as the emphasis placed on prevention of mistakes, the organization of the work into specialized teams and good collaboration in the teams. Factors that threaten patient safety were mainly related to the organization of the work and the conditions under which the work took place. The speed at which the work is performed, demands increased efficiency and output, instability in staffing and lack of control over the conditions of work were all mentioned. Insidents that have occured were discussed in the focus groups. This study has added to current knowledge and understanding by outlining factors in the OR work environment that OR nurses consider strengthening for patient safety and should therefore be enhanced as well as describing factors that threaten patient safety.