The emergent relevance of care staff decision‐making and situation awareness to mobility care in nursing homes: an ethnographic study

• DOI: 10.1111/jan.12425
• Publication Date: 2014-04-16T01:37:46Z
• Authors: Janice Taylor; Jane Sims; Terry P. Haines
• Keywords: Thematic Analysis

Abstract Aim To explore mobility care as provided by staff in nursing homes. Background Care regularly assist residents with their mobility. Nurses are increasingly reliant on such to provide safe and quality care. However, the nature of decision‐making when providing assistance has not been fully addressed literature. Design A focused ethnography. Method The study was conducted four homes Melbourne, Australia. Non‐participant observations 2011. Focus groups 18 nurses, lifestyle were at three facilities 2012. Thematic analysis employed for focus content observation data. Cognitive Continuum Theory notion ‘situation awareness’ assisted data interpretation. Findings Decision‐making during emerged a major theme. Using guide, home staff's described ranging from system‐aided, through resident‐ peer‐aided, reflective intuitive. Staff seemed aware need resident‐aided consistent person‐centred Habitual based shared mental models occurred. It noted that levels situation awareness may vary among staff. Conclusion benefit support via collaborative practice develop skills, Further research is required connection between skills competence well how these factors link