title: Perceptions of emergency nurses during the human swine influenza outbreak: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The primary aim of this study was to explore the perception of Hong Kong emergency nurses regarding their work during the human swine influenza pandemic outbreak.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this exploratory, qualitative study, 10 emergency nurses from a regional hospital in Hong Kong were recruited using purposive sampling. Semi-structured, face-to-face individual interviews were conducted. Qualitative content analysis was utilized to analyze the transcripts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The three following categories emerged from the interview data: concerns about health, comments on the administration, and attitudes of professionalism. Nurses viewed the human swine influenza as a threat to their personal and families' health. However, nurses perceived that the severity of the disease was exaggerated by the public. Improvements in planning the circulation of information, allocation of manpower, and utilization of personal protective equipment were indicated. The emergency nurses demonstrated a sense of commitment and professional morale in promoting a high quality of nursing care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Various factors affecting the perceptions of emergency nurses toward their professional duties during the influenza pandemic were identified. By understanding these perceptions, appropriate planning, policies, and guidelines can be formulated to meet the healthcare needs of patients during future pandemic outbreaks.
authors.affiliation: Accident and Emergency Department, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: zanylam@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kam Ki
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Shuk Yu Maria
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D016529:Emergency Nursing; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Emergency nursing; Influenza pandemic; Perception; Qualitative