Abstract
Introduction: Pharmacotherapy is complex area closely related to the quality of care. Errors in this area are often cause of adverse events and costs to treat these undesired events are tremendous.
Even though certain activities related to this area can be workplace specific and their extent can vary, in general nurses spend a considerable part of their working hours on activities related to this area. However, their role has not been sufficiently described yet.
Aim: The aim of this work was to analyse the view of nurses on their role in ensuring care quality related to pharmacotherapy Method: In-depth individual interviews were conducted with purposive sample of 26 fully qualified nurses with at least 1-year experience in intensive care nursing. Results: Nurses play an important role in quality management.
They were able to participate on identifying potential risks, as well as setting strategies to prevent adverse events. However, in some cases, formally set rules were identified as risky too.
Thus, in order "to do no harm" and in an effort to act "in the interests of the patient", nurses had to violate the formal polices of the workplace. Conclusion: Nurses have crucial role in quality management, consider this area as very important, but their potential is not yet fully exploited.
However, in effort to "act in the interest of the patient", they may find themselves in position that can bring serious consequences for them on professional and also personal level. In spite of so far effort, this area would therefore deserve much more attention.