| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2653474 | Intensive and Critical Care Nursing | 2009 | 8 Pages |
SummaryObjectivesGaining insight into nutritional processes can help nurses and other staff in their work. The aim was to provide a theoretical understanding of the concerns and strategies of nutritional nursing care for patients with enteral nutrition in intensive care units.DesignA grounded theory approach was used. Observations of patient's nutritional care and twelve interviews with eight registered nurses and four enrolled nurses were conducted.SettingThe study was carried out in one intensive care unit at a medium sized hospital in Sweden.ResultsThe substantive theory developed included the core category “To have and to hold nutritional control – balancing between individual care and routine care”. The core category was reflected in and related to the categories “knowing the patient”, “facilitating the patient's involvement”, “being a nurse in a team”, “having professional confidence” and “having a supportive organisation”. Finding a balance between individual care and routine care was a way of enhancing the patient's well-being, security and quality of care.ConclusionTo have and to hold nutritional control over the patient's nutrition was found to be a balancing act between individual care and routine care. Organisation and teamwork are both challenging and supporting the provision, maintenance and development of nutritional care.
