Enhetschefer och undersköterskors perspektiv på rapportering enligt lex Sarah inom kommunal äldreomsorg

The aim of this study was to examine the experience, knowledge and attitude to mandatory reports of mistreatments amongst first line managers and assistance nurses in municipal elderly care. The following questions were at the center of the analysis: how do the different professional groups view having to report their own organization? How can various factors affect the mandatory reporting of mistreatments? What knowledge do the different professional groups have of mistreatments and mandatory reporting? A qualitative research method was used to examine these questions in the form of semi structured interviews and a small document study. The interviews were carried out with assistance nurses and first line manages in elder care, we interviewed four respondents from both professional groups. The interviews were then transcribed and coded with help of a content analysis. We have used Berger and Luckmanns theories about institutionalization when analyzing our results. We have also used Lipskys theory about street-level bureaucracy. The analysis is structured around themes and analyzed based on previous research and the above said theories. Our results show that there is a struggle amongst the both first line managers and assistance nurses to fully comprehend the complexity of mandatory reporting of mistreatments and that it’s often hard to draw the line between mandatory reporting of mistreatments and other less severe reporting’s such as deviation reports. Further, we have concluded that there is a fear amongst assistance nurses of reporting. Primarily because of a belief that reprisals, first and foremost from colleagues, will follow. We have also concluded that the workplace often seems to be characterized by a normative system in which loyalty and silence are common elements which may inhibit reporting. Key words: mandatory reporting of mistreatments, knowledge, attitudes, experience, elder care. Nyckelord: lex Sarah, kunskap, inställning, erfarenhet, äldreomsorg