Hospital nurses and physicians' experiences practicing patient safety work to recognize deteriorating patients: a...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety Research
• Clinical Collaboration

Background:

• Patient safety is a global priority, with hospitals implementing rapid response systems to prevent harm.
• Limited understanding exists on how healthcare professionals experience competence development and manage emergencies.
• This study explores nurses' and physicians' experiences with patient safety initiatives and their impact on collaboration and competence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and describe hospital nurses' and physicians' experiences with patient safety work.
• To understand the implications of patient safety work for collaboration and competence in a hospital setting.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive design utilizing interviews with 21 nurses and physicians in a Norwegian hospital.
• Systematic text condensation and a four-step thematic cross-case analysis were employed for data analysis.
• The study adhered to the COREQ guidelines for rigorous qualitative research.

Main Results:

• Three key categories emerged: establishing a common language for patient deterioration, sharing competencies across wards and professionals, and managing time pressure with limited resources.
• Patient safety work facilitated interprofessional communication and collaboration, particularly for deteriorating patients.
• The study highlighted the challenges of maintaining patient safety due to resource constraints and time pressures.

Conclusions:

• Patient safety initiatives likely enhance emergency care and patient outcomes in hospitals.
• The complexity of hospital operations necessitates robust, up-to-date skills for health professionals in patient assessment.
• Effective collaboration and communication are vital for health professionals to navigate time pressures and resource limitations, ensuring patient safety.