Quality by selection and purchasing of urinary incontinence aids-- perceptions of nurses and administrators

In a qualitative-quantitative study, differences in the perceptions of nurses and administrators (admin's) dealing with the purchasing of urinary incontinence (UI) aids were studied by means of interviews with a cognitive and emotional approach. Various aspects of purchasing were concentrated on: cooperation, strategy, competence, costs, measures, and decisions, as well as quality in the selection of aids in order to improve quality of care and achieve better economy. The findings show a continued need for centrally coordinated purchasing (CCP), not least related to the European Community, and also problems of integration. Due to the decentralization process, the nurses perceived a need for more education in overall business strategies in order to underline more constructively their caring and patient-oriented opinions. The admin's experienced uncertainty in their purchasing activities caused by the absence of purchasing policies and lack of knowledge of new demands and routines.