Decision-Making to Support Smooth Daily Unit Operation in Perioperative Settings

Area of Science:

• Nursing Management
• Perioperative Care
• Decision Science

Background:

• Effective decision-making is crucial for smooth daily operations in perioperative settings.
• Decision support systems can mitigate risks associated with poor communication.
• The specific decisions and their dimensions made by nurse managers remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the timeframe and nature of decisions made by nurse managers in daily perioperative unit operations.

Main Methods:

• Observational study of nurse manager activities.
• Analysis of decision-making processes during shifts.

Main Results:

• Nurse managers engage in both operational and tactical decision-making concurrently.
• These decisions occur throughout the nurse manager's shift.
• Decision-making processes are characterized by frequent interruptions.

Conclusions:

• Nurse managers' decision-making in perioperative settings is complex and dynamic.
• Understanding the timing and interruptions in decision-making is key to optimizing unit operations.