A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Nurse managers' decision-making in daily unit operation in peri-operative settings: a cross-sectional descriptive study
Authors: Siirala E, Peltonen LM, Lundgren-Laine H, Salantera S, Junttila K
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL
Publication year: 2016
Journal: Journal of Nursing Management
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT
Journal acronym: J NURS MANAGE
Volume: 24
Issue: 6
First page : 806
Last page: 815
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 0966-0429
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12385
Abstract
Aim To describe the tactical and the operational decisions made by nurse managers when managing the daily unit operation in peri-operative settings.Background Management is challenging as situations change rapidly and decisions are constantly made. Understanding decision-making in this complex environment helps to develop decision support systems to support nurse managers' operative and tactical decision-making.Design Descriptive cross-sectional design.Method Data were collected from 20 nurse managers with the think-aloud method during the busiest working hours and analysed using thematic content analysis.Results Nurse managers made over 700 decisions; either ad hoc (n = 289), near future (n = 268) or long-term (n = 187) by nature. Decisions were often made simultaneously with many interruptions. Ad hoc decisions covered staff allocation, ensuring adequate staff, rescheduling surgical procedures, confirmation tangible resources and following-up the daily unit operation. Decisions in the near future were: planning of surgical procedures and tangible resources, and planning staff allocation. Long-term decisions were: human recourses, nursing development, supplies and equipment, and finances in the unit.Conclusions Decision-making was vulnerable to interruptions, which sometimes complicated the managing tasks.Implications for Nursing Management The results can be used when planning decision support systems and when defining the nurse managers' tasks in peri-operative settings.
Aim To describe the tactical and the operational decisions made by nurse managers when managing the daily unit operation in peri-operative settings.Background Management is challenging as situations change rapidly and decisions are constantly made. Understanding decision-making in this complex environment helps to develop decision support systems to support nurse managers' operative and tactical decision-making.Design Descriptive cross-sectional design.Method Data were collected from 20 nurse managers with the think-aloud method during the busiest working hours and analysed using thematic content analysis.Results Nurse managers made over 700 decisions; either ad hoc (n = 289), near future (n = 268) or long-term (n = 187) by nature. Decisions were often made simultaneously with many interruptions. Ad hoc decisions covered staff allocation, ensuring adequate staff, rescheduling surgical procedures, confirmation tangible resources and following-up the daily unit operation. Decisions in the near future were: planning of surgical procedures and tangible resources, and planning staff allocation. Long-term decisions were: human recourses, nursing development, supplies and equipment, and finances in the unit.Conclusions Decision-making was vulnerable to interruptions, which sometimes complicated the managing tasks.Implications for Nursing Management The results can be used when planning decision support systems and when defining the nurse managers' tasks in peri-operative settings.
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