Guidelines In the Work of Operating Room Nurses

Introduction. The use of guidelines in the work of operating room nurses makes daily tasks easier and enables treatment in accordance with set procedures based on scientific evidence. Additionally, the use of set guidelines in the work of operating room nurses enables traceability of healthcare and the best care for the patient, which also increases the safety of the patient in the operating room during the perioperative period. Aim. The goal of this article is to investigate and determine if operating room nurses are aware of the guidelines, if they use them in their daily work, and if the guidelines are available at their workplace. The goal is also to determine the opinion of operating room nurses about legal protection that the guidelines provide in case of unforeseen events, as well as the necessary level of education of the personnel setting the guidelines, and the effect of the guidelines on the patient's safety in the operating room. Additionally, it is to determine if the use of the guidelines reduces inconsistencies in the work of operating room nurses in different hospitals, and which institutions are in charge of setting them. Methods. The survey for this research was conducted by the author of this paper and was distributed at the Congress of Operating Room Nurses in October of 2019. 210 operating room nurses completed the survey, being of different levels of formal education, and are employees of various Clinical Hospital Centres, Clinical Hospitals and General Hospitals in the Republic of Croatia. Results. According to the results of the survey, 90 respondents were Bachelors of Nursing, 60 respondents had a university degree, and 60 respondents had a high school diploma. The length of work experience of the operating room nurses who participated in the survey was between 1 and 30 years. The results of the research showed that the majority of operating room nurses were familiar with the existence of the guidelines and recommendations, and they used them in their work. Results show that most respondents are aware of the need to use the guidelines, and that they are available at their work place. Results also show that operating room nurses feel that the use of the guidelines has a very strong influence on the level of patient safety. Operating room nurses know that the guidelines provide legal protection and that the level of the nurses' education is important for setting the guidelines. Conclusion. Operating room nurses use the guidelines in daily work whenever they are applicable. Respondents have also developed an awareness of the obligation to use the guidelines, as well as their benefits in improving patient safety. They also provide legal protection in the event of unforeseen circumstances.