Operating room nurses' experiences of maintaining sterile technique: a qualitative study

Operating room nurses play a crucial role in maintaining sterile technique to prevent surgical site infections and ensure patient safety. Despite guidelines in place, challenges persist in maintaining sterility due to systemic issues and interpersonal dynamics. This study aims to explore the experiences of OR nurses in maintaining sterile technique, focusing on the challenges they face, the emotional burden they experience, the dynamics of teamwork, and recommendations for improving practice.

A qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with twelve OR nurses from a university hospital in Turkey. Data were collected between May 5 and 9, 2023, through in-depth, face-to-face interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a content analysis approach.

Analysis of interviews with 12 operating room (OR) nurses produced four main themes and eleven subthemes. General Chaos and Systemic Challenges reflected barriers such as rushed scheduling, excessive OR traffic, technical limitations, and staff shortages, all of which compromised sterility. Teamwork Challenges and Interpersonal Dynamics highlighted protocol non-compliance, inadequate training of novice staff, communication breakdowns, and a lack of respect from some surgeons. The Emotional Burden theme described nurses' experiences of persistent stress, anxiety, helplessness, and a strong sense of moral responsibility for patient safety. Finally, Training and Staff Selection captured participants' recommendations.

OR nurses face significant challenges in maintaining sterile technique, influenced by organisational inefficiencies, interpersonal conflicts, and emotional stress. To enhance practice, support systems, communication protocols, and structured training programs must be improved. Recommendations include implementing structured training programs, enhancing communication protocols, and selecting appropriate personnel to ensure effective sterile technique maintenance in the OR.