Patient transfer from intensive care units to general wards: An exploratory qualitative study of ward nurses' experiences of patient safety

AIM: Patient transfer from intensive care units (ICUs) to general wards is a routine part of hospital care. However, if the transfer is not optimal, it can result in increased readmissions to the ICU, increased stress and discomfort for the patient and, thus, a threat to patient safety. The aim of this study was to explore how general ward nurses experience patient safety during patient transfers from ICUs to general wards. DESIGN: A qualitative design based on a phenomenological approach was used. METHODS: Two focus group interviews were conducted with a total of eight nurses from a medical ward and a surgical ward at one hospital in Norway. The data were analysed using systematic text condensation. RESULTS: The nurses' experiences of patient safety during patient transfer had four themes: (1) the importance of preparedness; (2) the importance of the handover of information; (3) stress and a lack of resources and (4) a feeling of two different worlds. CONCLUSION: In order to promote patient safety, the informants highlighted the importance of being well prepared for transfer, and to have optimal handover of information. Stress, lack of resources and a feeling of two different worlds may pose threats to patient safety. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: We suggest several intervention studies testing the effect of intervention improving patient safety during the transfer process are designed, and that increased knowledge in this area is used to develop local practice recommendations. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The participants of this study were nurses and this contribution has been explained in the Data collection section. There was no patient contribution in this study.