Objective: This study was conducted to examine the experiences of operating room nurses care for COVID-19 positive and suspected patients during the surgical process. Material and Methods: This study was conducted qualitatively with operating room nurses between 01-31 May 2021. 22 operating room nurses were interviewed face-to-face-in-depth in the break room of the operating room. Data were analyzed by Colaizzi's seven-step method. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used in reporting this research. Results: Three themes were determined: Difficulties experienced in the operating room during the COVID-19 epidemic, effect of the COVID-19 epidemic on the operating room organization and the effect of the risk of contamination on the surgical team communication. 7 sub-themes were identified as fear of catching and transmitting the infection, equipment problems, difficulties in the management of emergency cases, operation and working times, changes in the patient transfer line and operating room, social isolation and reduced communication, and fear of medical error. Conclusion: This study reveals difficulties experienced by nurses due to COVID-19, effect of the pandemic on the operating room organization and nurses, and effect of the risk of transmission on the surgical team communication. Nurses have fear of catching and transmitting infection in the operating room, lack of equipment, and experience anxiety in managing emergency cases. The pandemic caused changes in the organization of the operating room. Besides, nurses experienced social isolation and team communication decreased, the use of equipment disrupted communication with the surgical team, and this situation led to fear of medical error.
Keywords: Operating room nursing; pandemic; experience
Amaç: Bu çalışma, ameliyathane hemşirelerinin COVID-19 pozitif ve şüpheli hastalara cerrahi süreçte bakım verme deneyimlerini incelemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışma 01- 31 Mayıs 2021 tarihleri arasında ameliyathane hemşireleriyle nitel olarak yapılmıştır. Çalışma süresince 22 ameliyathane hemşiresi ile ameliyathanenin dinlenme odasında yüz yüze-derinlemesine görüşülmüştür. Elde edilen veriler Colazzinin 7 aşamalı metoduyla analiz edilmiştir. Bu araştırmanın raporlanmasında Konsolide Kriterler kontrol listesi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: COVID-19 salgınında ameliyathanede deneyimlenen zorluklar, COVID-19 salgınının ameliyathane organizasyonuna etkisi ve bulaş riskinin cerrahi ekip iletişimine etkisi olmak üzere 3 tema belirlenmiştir. Enfeksiyon kapma ve bulaştırma korkusu, ekipman problemleri, acil vakaların yönetimindeki zorluklar, operasyon ve çalışma süreleri, hasta transfer hattı ve ameliyathanedeki değişiklikler, sosyal izolasyon ve iletişimin azalması, tıbbi hata korkusu olmak üzere 7 alt tema belirlenmiştir. Sonuç: Bu çalışma, ameliyathane hemşirelerinin COVID-19 nedeniyle ameliyathanede yaşadıkları zorlukları, pandeminin ameliyathane organizasyonu ve hemşireler üzerindeki etkisini ve bulaş riskinin cerrahi ekip iletişimine etkisini ortaya koymaktadır. Ameliyathane hemşirelerin ameliyathanede enfeksiyonu kapma ve bulaştırma korkusu yaşadıkları, ekipman eksikliği yaşadıkları ve acil vakaları yönetmede endişe yaşadıkları belirlenmiştir. Pandeminin ameliyathane organizasyonunda değişiklik yapılmasına yol açtığı ifade edilmiştir. Ayrıca pandemi sürecinde sosyal izolasyon yaşadıkları ve ekip iletişimi azaldığı, ekipman kullanımının cerrahi ekip ile iletişimi bozduğu ortaya konmuştur. Bu durumun tıbbi hata korkusuna yol açtığı belirlenmiştir.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Ameliyathane hemşireliği; pandemi; deneyim
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