Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to explore how nurses perceive continuity of patient care at
the Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba. The study looked at nursing documentation,
communication and teamwork and was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research at the University of Ghana. The study
adopted a qualitative exploratory descriptive design and purposive sampling method was
used to recruit participants. Data were collected by using a semi-structured interview
guide. Data collected reached saturation with the 15th participant. All interviews were
recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis techniques. Data was
coded, and themes and sub-themes generated. Confidentiality and privacy of the
participants were ensured using pseudonyms.
Four themes emerged, these were; techniques of ensuring continuity of patient care by
nurses, nursing documentation of patient care, the use of oral communication in the
continuity of patient care, and teamwork during a shift. The study found that nurses
continue care by running shifts for the 24 hours. This entails reading folders, nurses’ notes
and report book before continuing care. Nurses also document in appropriate books and
charts such as fluid chart, temperature, pulse and respiration charts. Other findings were
that most nurses did not sign or write their initials after documenting care; nurses always
discuss detailed information at the nurses’ station before moving to the patient bedside.
Behaviours of nurses such as lateness to work, rudeness and laziness were noted to affect
the continuity of patient care. It was recommended that nurses be trained through
workshops and in-service training on the need for nursing documentation, communication
and teamwork.
