The influence of intensive care unit culture and environment on nurse decision-making when managing vasoactive medications: A qualitative exploratory study

Abstract

Background: Nurses working in intensive care units make autonomous decisions to manage high-risk vasoactive medications in critically ill patients. Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) is a vasoactive medication commonly administered to patients in intensive care units. The influence of unit culture and environment on nurse-decision-making on noradrenaline (norepinephrine) management is unknown. Aims: The study aimed to investigate nurses’ perceptions of the impact of interpersonal interactions, socialisation, and the intensive care environment on decision-making when managing noradrenaline (norepinephrine). Materials & Methods: An exploratory qualitative study applied thematic analysis to focus g..