Intraoperative prevention of Surgical Site Infections as experienced by operating room nurses

• Main Authors: Maria Qvistgaard, Jenny Lovebo, Sofia Almerud-Österberg
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2019-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
• Subjects: intraoperative care; operating room; prevention; surgical site infection; surgical team
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2019.1632109

Aim: This study examines how OR nurses experience intraoperative prevention of SSIs. Introduction: Infections related to surgical procedures create both great patient suffering and high costs for society. Therefore, prevention of Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) should be a high priority for all surgical settings. All details of intraoperative care need to be investigated and evaluated to ensure best practices are evidence-based. Methods: This study uses the Reflective Lifeworld Research (RLR) approach, which is grounded in phenomenology. Participants were OR nurses with at least one year of clinical experience. In total, 15 participants from seven hospitals made contact and were included in this interview study. Results: Prevention of SSIs takes both head and hand. It requires long-term, continuous, and systematic work in several parallel processes, both intellectually and organisationally. The hierarchical tradition of the operating room is often ambiguous, shielded by its safe structures but still restricted by traditional patterns. Confident relations and resolute communication within the team generate favorable conditions for preventing SSIs. Conclusions: By setting up mutual platforms and forums for quality development, increasing legitimacy for OR nurses and establishing fixed teams, prevention of SSIs will continue to improve, ensuring the patients’ safety during intraoperative care.