Thinking about nursing practice and culture: syringe drivers

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Healthcare Management
• Clinical Procedures

Background:

• A new inpatient unit required establishing nursing practice philosophies and approaches.
• Existing community guidelines and policies for syringe driver use were available.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the management of syringe drivers within the new inpatient unit.
• To explore the practical issue of infusion volumes for syringe drivers and the subsequent professional reactions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing community guidelines, policies, and procedures for syringe driver use.
• Critical questioning of current practices related to infusion volumes.
• Analysis of professional responses to proposed changes in practice.

Main Results:

• The decision regarding syringe driver infusion volumes generated significant reactions among colleagues.
• The study highlights practical challenges and cultural aspects influencing the adoption of new nursing practices.

Conclusions:

• Changes in nursing practice, even on practical issues like infusion volumes, can elicit strong professional responses.
• Understanding nursing culture is crucial for managing and implementing practice changes effectively.