How do nurses exert clinical judgement and decision-making skills whilst assessing patients' sedation using a sedation-scoring scale in the Intensive Care Unit?

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to gain an in-depth knowledge based on how nurses in an Intensive Care setting exert their clinical judgement and decision-making processes whilst assessing patients' sedation using a sedation-scoring scale. The research proposes to look at what underpins these critical thinking processes and why nurses make the decisions they do. It will examine nurses' experiences using a sedation-scoring scale and how this relates to clinical judgement and decision-making. In addition, information will be gathered based on nurses' knowledge about sedation-scoring scales. This will be done using a qualitative approach to clinical research and a phenomenological design is identified to be the most appropriate form. It will involve participants attending one-to-one semi-structured interviews; these will be conducted out-with the clinical ICU area. Data will be analysed using an in-vivo coding process to yield key themes. Key themes will be gathered until data saturation is achieved. It is hoped that the results of this study will hold vital elements that may be applicable to other ICU areas. Primarily, the study will be based in Scotland; however, this could be expanded should the research yield credible data.