Perceptions of emergency nurses during the human swine influenza outbreak: a qualitative study.
INTRODUCTION
The primary aim of this study was to explore the perception of Hong Kong emergency nurses regarding their work during the human swine influenza pandemic outbreak.


METHODS
In this exploratory, qualitative study, 10 emergency nurses from a regional hospital in Hong Kong were recruited using purposive sampling. Semi-structured, face-to-face individual interviews were conducted. Qualitative content analysis was utilized to analyze the transcripts.


RESULTS
The three following categories emerged from the interview data: concerns about health, comments on the administration, and attitudes of professionalism. Nurses viewed the human swine influenza as a threat to their personal and families' health. However, nurses perceived that the severity of the disease was exaggerated by the public. Improvements in planning the circulation of information, allocation of manpower, and utilization of personal protective equipment were indicated. The emergency nurses demonstrated a sense of commitment and professional morale in promoting a high quality of nursing care.


DISCUSSION
Various factors affecting the perceptions of emergency nurses toward their professional duties during the influenza pandemic were identified. By understanding these perceptions, appropriate planning, policies, and guidelines can be formulated to meet the healthcare needs of patients during future pandemic outbreaks.
['Lam|Kam Ki|KK|', 'Hung|Shuk Yu Maria|SY|']
D000328:Adult D004196:Disease Outbreaks D016529:Emergency Nursing D005260:Female D006723:Hong Kong D006801:Humans D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype D007251:Influenza, Human D007407:Interviews as Topic D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital D036301:Qualitative Research
Perception Emergency nursing Qualitative Influenza pandemic