Perspectives of Nurses on Continuity of Patient Care: A Study at the Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba

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.