The factors influencing patient safety management as perceived by emergency department nurses: A qualitative study

Abstract

Aim: One of the most important, unpredictable and stressful areas in hospitals is the emergency department (ED) where seconds are crucial for providing immediate care and saving the patients' lives. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the factors which impact the patient safety management as perceived by the ED nurses in Southern Iran.

Design: This is a qualitative, descriptive study.

Methods: The participants were 23 ED nurses selected via purposeful sampling who were asked to take part in an interview. Data were collected using semi-structured, individual, in-depth interviews and analysed via content analysis.

Results: Analysis of the qualitative data yielded 4 themes and 12 subthemes. The four main themes were: negligence of safety standards and standard precautions, disregard of ethical principles, professional challenges and inefficient organizational management.

Keywords: emergency department; nurses; patient safety; qualitative study; risk management.