Table 2 Content analysis: From meaning units to main theme: ‘Working in a minefield’
Meaning unit | Condensed meaning unit Description close to the text | Condensed meaning unit Interpretation of the underlying meaning | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
If a patient needs help, I either have to find a nurse to look after the medicine trolley, take the medicine trolley back to the medicine room, or bring it into the patient’s room. | I have to reorganize my work and make sure the medicine trolley is safe | Dealing with unscheduled work | “Working in environments of interruptions” |
When I am interrupted in the medicine room, I must check the doses again | If I’m being interrupted when preparing the medicine round, I have to re-check the doses | Unpredictability in the medicine round | “Working in environments of interruptions” |
Giving water is a part of administering medicines. I always bring water with me when I administer medicine. | Bringing water with me is a part of administering medicine | Individual definitions of medicine administration | “Personal coping strategies” |
One of my strategies is to make a mental note or a checklist. I have a small book in my pocket, where I have written when the patient shall have the medicine, and then I cross off | I have a mind-set and I write in a book when the patient shall have the medicine, and after giving the medicine, I cross it off | Practical strategies | “Personal coping strategies” |
I do not get the time needed to help patients take all the tablets. I often trust that the patients take them by themselves. Often the patient needs help, so after the ward round, I can see that the tablets still are on the nightstand | When I am responsible for the ward round, there is little time to help the patient. I trust the patient and leave the tablets on the nightstand. | Adapting administration of medicines to the work-situation | “Personal coping strategies” |
The hospital has not devised any strategies. It has not facilitated any protection of nurses from interruptions when administering medicines | The management has not devised any strategies to prevent the nurses from being interrupted | Lack of leadership | “Management-related strategies” |
It seems that everyone knows that interruptions are a problem, but no one has any solutions. We tell the management that we have been in a hurry, and we see that there have been mistakes, for example with mixtures. We see that drip hangs up too long or that the patient should have had it at another time | Everyone knows that interruptions are a problem. No one has any solutions. We tell the management that we are in a hurry and that mistakes are happening | Taking interruptions seriously | “Management-related strategies” |
In the ward, there could be more focus on speaking in departmental meetings about how to avoid interruptions and make an agreement on how to avoid being interrupted. For example, that we are not interrupted by others who convey a blood pressure or weight, but write the numbers on a note | In departmental meetings there could be increased focus on how to avoid interruptions and reach agreements on how to interact with each other to avoid interruptions | Making routines for administering medicines | “Management-related strategies” |