Factors influencing nurses to withhold surgical patients’ oral medications pre- and postoperatively

Virginia Coull Symons; Anne McMurray

doi:10.1016/j.colegn.2013.05.004

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Factors influencing nurses to withhold surgical patients’ oral medications pre- and postoperatively

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Factors influencing nurses to withhold surgical patients’ oral medications pre- and postoperatively

Virginia Coull Symons and Anne McMurray

Collegian , Vol.21(4), pp.267-274

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2013.05.004

PMID: 25632723

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Abstract

Medication administration error

Medication error

Fasting patients

Medication withdrawal

Medication safety

Withholding medications

Omission medication

Little is known about the influences on nurses’ decisions to withhold surgical patients’ oral medications pre and postoperatively or the degree to which decisions are consistent. The literature is devoid of information that clarifies whether or at what point withholding a particular oral medication may constitute a medication error. This study sought to redress this gap in knowledge and identify factors influencing nurses’ decisions about withholding surgical patients’ oral medications. This interpretive study recruited a convenience sample consisting of nine nurses from surgical wards in public and private hospitals on the Gold Coast, Queensland and northern New South Wales to participate in individual interviews. Data were transcribed and analysed using inductive content analysis to identify common themes. Three main themes illustrated important influences on nurses ‘decisions, including ward culture, nurses’ perceptions of their roles and patient factors. The complex issues surrounding nurses’ decisions when withholding surgical patients’ oral medications are identified in this research. The findings will help to inform quality and safety in future medication management and lead to higher quality and safer patient care.

Details

Title: Factors influencing nurses to withhold surgical patients’ oral medications pre- and postoperatively
Authors: Virginia Coull Symons (Author) - Griffith University
Anne McMurray (Author) - Griffith University
Publication details: Collegian , Vol.21(4), pp.267-274
Publisher: Elsevier BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.colegn.2013.05.004
ISSN: 1876-7575
PMID: 25632723
Organisation Unit: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Nursing
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99488506902621
Output Type: Journal article

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