Related Experiment Videos
An ethnographic study of differentiated practice in an operating room
C Graff1, K Roberts, K Thornton
1School of Nursing, University of Kansas, Kansas City 66160-7502, USA.
Summary
Implementing the clinical nurse team leader (TL) role in the operating room (OR) requires understanding the OR culture and providing thorough employee orientation. This ethnographic study explored challenges and successes in this new nursing practice model.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Practice
- Healthcare Management
- Organizational Behavior
Background:
- A new nursing differentiated practice model was implemented.
- The clinical nurse III or team leader (TL) role was a key component of this model.
- The study focused on the operating room (OR) setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the implementation of the TL role within the OR.
- To understand the perceptions of the TL role by both TLs and OR staff.
- To identify challenges and successes in the role's evolutionary process.
Main Methods:
- An ethnographic study was conducted.
- Methods included participant observation, interviews, and document analysis.
- Data analysis involved thematic coding to identify categories and subcategories.
Main Results:
- TLs defined their roles based on the OR's technical environment and organizational needs.
- Initial priorities included refining surgeon preference cards and instrument count sheets.
- Both controllable and uncontrollable factors influenced role implementation.
Conclusions:
- Successful introduction of the TL role necessitates understanding the specific setting.
- Emphasis on staging and comprehensive employee orientation is crucial for effective implementation.
- The OR culture significantly shaped the TL role's definition and performance.