The Meaning of Intraoperative Errors: Perioperative Nurse Perspectives

In attending to the theme of the research conference, I want to share findings from an exploratory descriptive study titled, The Meaning of Intraoperative Errors: Perioperative Nurse Perspectives and other mediums in giving voice to operating room nurses, an often unseen and highly specialized group. These nurses emerged from behind the closed doors of the surgical suite, removed their masks, and opened their hearts and minds toward sharing their feelings and perspectives on errors in the operating room. The specific aims of the study were to: (a) describe the perceptions, feelings, and ideas of perioperative nurses on the topic of intraoperative errors and (b) develop a deeper understanding of perioperative nurses’ experiences surrounding intraoperative errors. We conducted focus group interviews with perioperative nurses using a semi-structured discussion method and interview guide. We identified a thematic analysis of the data and categorized patterns and themes using NVivo 11 software. Implications for practice and research include (a) inform policies and procedures to ensure safe, quality care outcomes for surgical patients, and (b) provide information that will allow a targeted revision of the Perioperative Nurse Questionnaire used in a previous study. A grant from the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)/Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) funded this study