Sisters' and charge nurses' attitudes to quality.

Abstract

Discovers sisters' and charge nurses' thoughts about quality assurance and whether their needs and those of their patients were satisfied by the process. Reports the results of qualitative research conducted with sisters and charge nurses working within specific clinical areas in a community trust. Shows the differences of opinion within the sample towards quality and illustrates that, although sisters and charge nurses have a good knowledge of what quality is, they acknowledge that others working within their clinical areas may not be similarly aware. Finds that, while some of the respondents felt that quality assurance would benefit patients to some degree, others felt that quality initiatives actually disadvantaged patients. Members of the sample were unhappy with certain problems of quality assurance, associated with external and internal auditing, training needs and financial implications. Recommends that quality needs to be formally included in pre-and post-basic training.