Nurses’ Experiences in Caring for Psychiatric Patients with Aspiration Pneumonia: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study
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Abstract
This descriptive phenomenological study aimed to describe nurses’ experiences in caring for psychiatric patients with aspiration pneumonia. The participants were 12 registered nurses working in the Prisoner Wellness Ward at Nakhon Pathom Hospital. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, behavioral observations, and field notes, and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method.
The findings revealed that nurses’ experiences in caring for psychiatric patients consisted of four themes: 1) visual surveillance as a substitute for patients’ verbal communication, 2) integrating aspiration prevention measures under psychiatric-related limitations, 3) coping with challenges arising from the contradictions of treatment, and 4) developing nurses’ competencies to enhance the quality and safety of psychiatric patient care. The experience identified from this study was the role of nurses as guardians of patient safety amid uncertainty. Nurses relied on knowledge, experience, clinical insight, sensitivity to subtle signals, and ethical decision-making to maintain safety and preserve the dignity and humanity of psychiatric patients who were vulnerable in both physical and psychological aspects.
The findings of this study can serve as a foundation for developing clinical practice guidelines for patients receiving high-risk psychiatric medications and those exhibiting non-cooperative behaviors. These guidelines may help reduce the incidence of aspiration-related pneumonia by promoting appropriate preventive care. Furthermore, the knowledge gained from this study can be integrated into nursing education to enhance nursing students’ competencies in strategic communication and the provision of holistic physical and psychological care.
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