Enhancing patient safety in the operating theatre: from the perspective of experienced operating theatre nurses.

Abstract

Surgical care is an extensive component of modern health care, but patient safety issues and complications of surgery have been identified as a major cause of death and disability. The aim of this study was to identify, from the perspective of experienced operating theatre nurses (OTNs), how patient safety in the operating theatre (OT) can be enhanced. In this phenomenological study, 14 individual interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 11 participants: ten women and one man. Work experience as an OTN spanned 10-40years. Mean experience was 16years. The enhancement of patient safety in the OT from the perspective of the experienced OTNs is a constant endeavour of managing risks and preventing patient harm it involves respecting the vulnerability of the patient in the OT by being attentive to the patient at each moment, making contact with the patient and recognising how the patient loses all control by being anaesthetised or sedated and is, therefore totally dependent on OT staff. It also involves the OTN navigating the patient as safely as possible through the perioperative process by careful preparation, the use of protocols and checklists and taking measures to prevent complications and harm. Moreover, it involves contributing to a culture of safety by improving work conditions in the OT. Certain competencies of the OTN are essential for the enhancement of patient safety in the OT. These involve both nontechnical and technical competencies. Constantly managing risk and preventing the OT patient from harm is essential according to the experienced OTNs, who are in a key position to identify threats to patient safety and should be empowered to enhance patient safety as a constant endeavour.