Advanced practice nurses’ experiences of patient safety: a focus group study

Figures & data

Table 1. Examples of meaning units, condensed meaning units and codes.

Meaning unit	Condensed meaning unit	Code
patient safety has always priority and has to be embedded in everything we do, the heart of advanced practice is safety.	patient safety as highest priority and heart of advanced practice	patient safety as highest priority in advanced practice
being able to see the big picture and look for the bigger picture is really important, because, again we can't just be dealing at the micro all the time. So, whether that means we set up projects, whether that means we set up models of care or pathways around particular ways of doing things	to see the big picture or look for the bigger picture to move away from the micro level	move away to see the bigger picture
introduce patients to do their own care, to teach them do their own care, educate patients in all settings (hospital, community) about treatment side effects, to be aware of risks, have a good understanding of treatment plans and when to call	educate and inform patients in all settings about treatment, side effects, risks and contact persons	educate and inform patients to take charge of their own treatment

Table 2. Characteristics of Advanced practice nurses.

Advanced practice nurses N = 28	Clinical nurse consultants N = 22	Nurse practitioner N = 6
Female N = 23 (82.1%)	Female N = 19	Female N = 4
Mean age = 47.5 years; SD ± 10	Mean age = 46 years; SD ± 9.3	Mean age = 53.2 years; SD ± 11
Full-time position = 75.0%	Full-time position = 81.8%	Full-time position = 50.0%
Employment as a nurse: Mean approx. 24 years; SD ± 11 years	Employment as a nurse: Mean approx. 22.6 years; SD ± 10.7 years	Employment as a nurse: Mean approx. 28.3 years; SD ± 12.1 years
APN in the current position: Mean approx. 7.2 years; SD ± 8.6 years	APN in the current position: Mean approx. 7.6 years; SD 9.6 ± years	APN in the current position: Mean approx. 5.9 years; SD 4 ± years
Advanced practice nurses expertise
Aged care services		N = 4
Ambulatory and emergency care		N = 3
Special areas (e.g. continence, diabetes, respiratory, wound)		N = 14
Surgery and perioperative care		N = 5
Transitional/community care		N = 3

Table 3. Percentage of categories and subcategories in each focus group.

Themes	FG 1%	FG 2%	FG 3%	FG 4%	FG 5%	FG 6%	Total %
1. Patient safety as highest priority	14.0	27.9	23.3	23.3	4.7	7.0	100
1.1 Patients’ ability to manage their care	55.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	22.2	22.2	100
2. Special contribution to patient safety	26.6	22.3	14.9	27.7	1.1	7.4	100
2.1 Being a role model in safety	7.7	30.8	0.0	23.1	0.0	38.5	100
2.2 Change agents/leaders	0.0	22.2	44.4	0.0	0.0	33.3	100
2.3 See the big picture	18.2	27.3	18.2	27.3	0.0	9.1	100
2.4 Expert knowledge	0.0	33.3	0.0	5.6	50.0	11.1	100
3. Multidisciplinary team approach	6.9	20.7	20.7	27.6	10.3	13.8	100
4. Patients/relatives role in patient safety	2.9	14.3	5.7	51.4	11.4	14.3	100
4.1 Decision making	0.0	66.7	33.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	100
4.2 Partnering with staff	0.0	20.0	60.0	0.0	20.0	0.0	100
5. Government regulation to ensure patient safety	20.0	15.0	5.0	35.0	5.0	20.0	100
5.1 National standards	7.1	17.9	21.4	35.7	17.9	0.0	100
5.2 Ticking boxes in assessment tools	8.3	8.3	8.3	66.7	0.0	8.3	100
6. Further needs to improve safety	20.0	7.5	25.0	27.5	12.5	7.5	100
6.1 Training of nurses	0.0	50.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	50.0	100
6.2 Availability of resources	11.8	17.6	11.8	17.6	29.4	11.8	100
6.3 Patient advocate	0.0	0.0	100.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	100
6.4 Open communication	87.5	0.0	12.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	100
SUM %	16.6	19.6	16.3	27.1	9.5	10.8	100

Data availability statement

Data available on request from the authors.