Table 3 Definitions of ad hoc decision-making categories and examples
Ad hoc category | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
1. Adverse events | An injury related to medical management | 'Concerning this pinprick accident, I have to order a blood test for her immediately'. |
2. Diagnostics | Patient diagnosis, including laboratory and radiology results affecting ICU work organization | 'Today's X-ray is OK, so she will be ready to leave'. |
3. Human resources and know-how | The amount of staff resources, the knowledge of the ICU personnel and follow-up information and reports | (1) 'In that room, there is one very experienced nurse. It is enough. I'll keep it that way'. |
(2) ‘Two RNs are needed for this patient in the following shift’. | ||
(3) ‘RN XX will be named in the trauma team in the following shift’. | ||
4. Material resources | Materials needed for ICU patient care | ‘This isolation room is reserved for this patient in the next shift’. |
5. Patient admission | Acceptance of patients for ICU care | ‘The recovery room is booked up, so we have to take this patient immediately’. |
6. Patient discharge | Acceptance of patient transfer from ICU care | ‘If the bleeding stops, he will be discharged when a new patient is introduced’. |
7. Patient information and vital signs | Intensive care-specific patient information and patient's intensive care- specific condition | (1) ‘We will put her to sleep and then deal with the AF’.a |
(2) ‘The patient with the highest nursing intensity will need two nurses in the evening shift’. | ||
(3) The patient’s invasive blood pressure values are too low, and he is not ready for discharge’. | ||
8. Special treatments | ICU-specific care and medication administration | (1) ‘We will make the sterna closure tomorrow, so cardiologist consultation today’. |
(2) ‘Our unit is ready to admit a patient who needs haemodialysis’. | ||
(3) ‘With this patient, we will start an inotrope infusion and ask for a cardiology consultation’. | ||