A grounded theory of the implementation of medical orders by clinical nurses

Abstract Objective To explore the process of implementing medical orders by clinical nurses, and identify specific areas of concern in the implementation process, and uncover strategies to address these concerns. Background The implementation of medical orders is a crucial responsibility for clinica...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Monireh Asadi, Fazlollah Ahmadi, Easa Mohammadi, Mojtaba Vaismoradi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-02-01
Series:BMC Nursing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01775-6
_version_ 1797275267892248576
author Monireh Asadi
Fazlollah Ahmadi
Easa Mohammadi
Mojtaba Vaismoradi
author_facet Monireh Asadi
Fazlollah Ahmadi
Easa Mohammadi
Mojtaba Vaismoradi
author_sort Monireh Asadi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective To explore the process of implementing medical orders by clinical nurses, and identify specific areas of concern in the implementation process, and uncover strategies to address these concerns. Background The implementation of medical orders is a crucial responsibility for clinical nurses, as they bear legal accountability for the precise implementation of directives issued by medical practitioners. The accurate implementation of these orders not only shapes the quality and safety of healthcare services but also presents numerous challenges that demand careful consideration. Method This study employed a qualitative design using a grounded theory approach to construct a comprehensive theoretical framework grounded in the insights and experiences of nurses operating within the hospital settings of Iran. The study encompassed 20 participants, comprising 16 clinical nurses, two nurse managers, and two specialist doctors working in hospital settings. The selection process involved purposeful and theoretical sampling methods to ensure diverse perspectives. Data collection unfolded through in-depth, individual, semi-structured interviews, persisting until data saturation was achieved. The analytical framework proposed by Corbin and Strauss (2015) guided the process, leading to the development of a coherent theory encapsulating the essence of the study phenomenon. Findings The primary finding of the study underscores the significance of ‘legal threat and job prestige’ highlighting diverse repercussions in case of errors in the implementation of medical orders. At the core of the investigation, the central variable and the theory of the study was the ‘selective and tasteful implementation of orders to avoid legal and organizational accountability.’ This indicated a set of strategies employed by the nurses in the implementation of medical orders, encapsulated through three fundamental concepts: ‘accuracy in controlling medical orders,’ ‘untruth documentation,’ and ‘concealment of events. The formidable influence of legal threats and job prestige was further compounded by factors such as heavy workloads, the doctor’s non-compliance with legal instructions for giving verbal orders, the addition of orders by the doctor without informing nurses, and pressure by nursing managers to complete documentation. The resultant psychological distress experienced by nurses not only jeopardized patient safety but also underscored the intricate interplay between legal implications and professional standing within the healthcare framework. Conclusion Alleviating staff shortages, enhancing the professional rapport between doctors and nurses, offering legal support to nursing staff, implementing measures such as recording departmental phone conversations to deter the non-acceptance of verbal orders, fostering an organizational culture that embraces nurse fallibility and encourages improvement, and upgrading equipment can ameliorate nurses’ apprehensions and contribute to the safe implementation of medical orders.
first_indexed 2024-03-07T15:11:51Z
format Article
id doaj.art-29c2481a61e14aafb602efac110da09f
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1472-6955
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-07T15:11:51Z
publishDate 2024-02-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Nursing
spelling doaj.art-29c2481a61e14aafb602efac110da09f2024-03-05T18:36:35ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552024-02-0123111310.1186/s12912-024-01775-6A grounded theory of the implementation of medical orders by clinical nursesMonireh Asadi0Fazlollah Ahmadi1Easa Mohammadi2Mojtaba Vaismoradi3Nursing Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares UniversityNursing Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares UniversityNursing Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares UniversityFaculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord UniversityAbstract Objective To explore the process of implementing medical orders by clinical nurses, and identify specific areas of concern in the implementation process, and uncover strategies to address these concerns. Background The implementation of medical orders is a crucial responsibility for clinical nurses, as they bear legal accountability for the precise implementation of directives issued by medical practitioners. The accurate implementation of these orders not only shapes the quality and safety of healthcare services but also presents numerous challenges that demand careful consideration. Method This study employed a qualitative design using a grounded theory approach to construct a comprehensive theoretical framework grounded in the insights and experiences of nurses operating within the hospital settings of Iran. The study encompassed 20 participants, comprising 16 clinical nurses, two nurse managers, and two specialist doctors working in hospital settings. The selection process involved purposeful and theoretical sampling methods to ensure diverse perspectives. Data collection unfolded through in-depth, individual, semi-structured interviews, persisting until data saturation was achieved. The analytical framework proposed by Corbin and Strauss (2015) guided the process, leading to the development of a coherent theory encapsulating the essence of the study phenomenon. Findings The primary finding of the study underscores the significance of ‘legal threat and job prestige’ highlighting diverse repercussions in case of errors in the implementation of medical orders. At the core of the investigation, the central variable and the theory of the study was the ‘selective and tasteful implementation of orders to avoid legal and organizational accountability.’ This indicated a set of strategies employed by the nurses in the implementation of medical orders, encapsulated through three fundamental concepts: ‘accuracy in controlling medical orders,’ ‘untruth documentation,’ and ‘concealment of events. The formidable influence of legal threats and job prestige was further compounded by factors such as heavy workloads, the doctor’s non-compliance with legal instructions for giving verbal orders, the addition of orders by the doctor without informing nurses, and pressure by nursing managers to complete documentation. The resultant psychological distress experienced by nurses not only jeopardized patient safety but also underscored the intricate interplay between legal implications and professional standing within the healthcare framework. Conclusion Alleviating staff shortages, enhancing the professional rapport between doctors and nurses, offering legal support to nursing staff, implementing measures such as recording departmental phone conversations to deter the non-acceptance of verbal orders, fostering an organizational culture that embraces nurse fallibility and encourages improvement, and upgrading equipment can ameliorate nurses’ apprehensions and contribute to the safe implementation of medical orders.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01775-6Grounded theoryMedical ordersNursesNursing documentationPatient safety
spellingShingle Monireh Asadi
Fazlollah Ahmadi
Easa Mohammadi
Mojtaba Vaismoradi
A grounded theory of the implementation of medical orders by clinical nurses
BMC Nursing
Grounded theory
Medical orders
Nurses
Nursing documentation
Patient safety
title A grounded theory of the implementation of medical orders by clinical nurses
title_full A grounded theory of the implementation of medical orders by clinical nurses
title_fullStr A grounded theory of the implementation of medical orders by clinical nurses
title_full_unstemmed A grounded theory of the implementation of medical orders by clinical nurses
title_short A grounded theory of the implementation of medical orders by clinical nurses
title_sort grounded theory of the implementation of medical orders by clinical nurses
topic Grounded theory
Medical orders
Nurses
Nursing documentation
Patient safety
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01775-6
work_keys_str_mv AT monirehasadi agroundedtheoryoftheimplementationofmedicalordersbyclinicalnurses
AT fazlollahahmadi agroundedtheoryoftheimplementationofmedicalordersbyclinicalnurses
AT easamohammadi agroundedtheoryoftheimplementationofmedicalordersbyclinicalnurses
AT mojtabavaismoradi agroundedtheoryoftheimplementationofmedicalordersbyclinicalnurses
AT monirehasadi groundedtheoryoftheimplementationofmedicalordersbyclinicalnurses
AT fazlollahahmadi groundedtheoryoftheimplementationofmedicalordersbyclinicalnurses
AT easamohammadi groundedtheoryoftheimplementationofmedicalordersbyclinicalnurses
AT mojtabavaismoradi groundedtheoryoftheimplementationofmedicalordersbyclinicalnurses