Nurses' perceptions of quality assurance.
OBJECTIVE
To describe nurses' perceptions of quality assurance.


METHODS
A qualitative approach using phenomenography was adopted in this study. Data were collected by open and semi-structured interviews from a strategic sample of nurses (N = 10) from a hospital in the south-west of Sweden.


RESULTS
The nurses showed 10 different perceptions of the phenomena, which were summarized into four description categories: controlling, development, cooperation and demands. The perceptions described show that nurses can perceive quality assurance both as an asset and as a burden.


CONCLUSIONS
The expressed perceptions show that nurses use quality assurance as a way of keeping a certain level of caring. It also gives nurses an opportunity for professional growth as well as a possibility for rewards. Working together as a team, even though there are different staff grades, to find joint standpoints, has a positive effect not only on qualitative assurance but also for the patient, as he/she often meets different categories during hospital stay.
Lundqvist
Margareta Jensen
MJ
School of Social & Health Sciences, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden. margareta.jensen.lundqvist@ektv.nu
Axelsson
Asa
A
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D011361:Professional Competence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012201:Reward; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D016526:Workload