Anna-Karin Lindblom1, Siv Bäck-Pettersson, Ingela Berggren. 1. Primary Health Care Research, Development and Education Centre and County Administration of West Sweden, Vänersborg and Community Health Services, Åmål, Sweden. anna-karin.lindblom@amal.se
Abstract
AIM: The aim of the study was to identify the impact of a quality register in end-of-life-care, from community nurses' perspective. BACKGROUND: There is a lack of knowledge about the impact of such a register in end-of-life care. METHOD: Data were collected by means of focus group interviews with a total of 12 nurses, from two communities in the western part of Sweden. Data analysis was based on grounded theory. RESULT: Feedback is the core category that influences all other processes. Two main categories emerged: 'Becoming aware of' and 'Acting accordingly'. These influenced the nurses and led to improved quality of care. CONCLUSION: A quality register gives the users (nurses) feedback on the care provided, which starts a process of change. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The value of working with a quality register as a feedback system can be applicable to all professions working with quality assurance. The experiences will increase the motivation and understanding the value of using quality registers as a tool for enhanced quality. Further, nurse managers can use such a register as a feedback system, not only as a motivating tool when implementing a quality register, but in the evaluation of its outcomes.
AIM: The aim of the study was to identify the impact of a quality register in end-of-life-care, from community nurses' perspective. BACKGROUND: There is a lack of knowledge about the impact of such a register in end-of-life care. METHOD: Data were collected by means of focus group interviews with a total of 12 nurses, from two communities in the western part of Sweden. Data analysis was based on grounded theory. RESULT: Feedback is the core category that influences all other processes. Two main categories emerged: 'Becoming aware of' and 'Acting accordingly'. These influenced the nurses and led to improved quality of care. CONCLUSION: A quality register gives the users (nurses) feedback on the care provided, which starts a process of change. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The value of working with a quality register as a feedback system can be applicable to all professions working with quality assurance. The experiences will increase the motivation and understanding the value of using quality registers as a tool for enhanced quality. Further, nurse managers can use such a register as a feedback system, not only as a motivating tool when implementing a quality register, but in the evaluation of its outcomes.