Defining a set of potentially preventable complications relevant to nursing: A Delphi Study among head nurses

Abstract

Aim To establish a list of potentially preventable complications as a tool for nursing management. Background Different outcome parameters have been used in patient safety research. However, they have mainly been used for medical and administrative goals. The role of nurses in achieving patient safety outcomes has been given little attention. Method A three-round Web-based modified Delphi study was conducted in four hospitals, using the list of potentially preventable complications (PPCs) as a starting point. Consensus on a shortlist of nursing relevant complications was the endpoint. Results This study revealed a shortlist 12 PPCs relevant to the nursing profession, based on the expert opinion of more than sixty head nurses from different wards and hospitals. An overall consensus of 77.58% was reached. In surgical, medical and geriatric wards, a consensus of 95.7% was achieved. Conclusion This is the first study that points out which PPCs are related to nursing. The shortlist contains some of the most studied complications and can serve a wide variety of hospital wards. Implications for Nursing Management Prevention of complications reduces harm to patients and avoids the nursing work and costs to treat them. This list provides nursing managers with a powerful tool to raise awareness for risk assessment and preventive measures among nurses. It offers an instrument to facilitate the documentation and handover of patient safety outcomes in nursing. This shortlist can also serve as an assessment tool for patient safety interventions.