Operating theatre nurses’ experience of patient‐related, intraoperative nursing care

Abstract

The way patient-related, intraoperative nursing care is performed by operating theatre nurses' has not been elucidated in any great detail. The aim of this study therefore was to describe theatre nurses' experience of patient-related, intraoperative nursing care. The study draws on qualitative, interpretive description methodology. Sixteen specialists in operating theatre nursing care, working in rural or metropolitan hospitals in Sweden, were included in the study. Data were collected by means of interviews and analysed using an inductive, qualitative, descriptive analysis technique. The data analysis resulted in 15 overarching nursing care procedures and three motives for nursing care procedures in the field of intraoperative nursing care with the goal of achieving the best surgical outcome for the patient. The operating theatre nurses' experience of patient-related, intraoperative nursing care was described as procedures to create a continuous, confidence-based relationship and situation-related well-being; procedures to guarantee patient safety and well-being by keeping a watchful eye; and procedures to create a secure environment that promotes wound healing, recovery and well-being.