Experience of Communication for Patient Safety by Perioperative Nurses / 간호행정학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore perioperative nurses' communication experience within the surgical team with regard to patient safety. METHODS: Data were collected from December 2015 to September 2016, through in-depth individual interviews with 14 perioperative nurses. Individual interviews, once or twice, lasted from 40 minutes to one hour for each session. The main interview question was “How do you describe your communication experience with surgical team members as a perioperative nurse?” Collected data were analyzed using a conventional content analysis. RESULTS: Two categories of the perioperative nurses' experience of communication were identified communication contributing to patient safety, communication hindering patient safety. Communication in the surgical team reflected on the unique features of the operating room, such as urgency and a hierarchical organizational culture. However, the nurses recognized ineffective communication could impact on patient safety, and endeavored to overcome communication failures. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that sharing responsibility, open communication, assertiveness on safety issues, and interprofessional collaboration in the operating room are necessary to ensure effective communication. Thus, respectful culture and an open communication climate based on interprofessional understanding are required to improve communication. Training programs to enhance communication skills should be implemented.