Improving ICU transitional care by combining quality management and nursing science – two scientific fields meet in a systematic literature review

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this literature review was to explore to what extent quality management (QM) and nursing science offer complementary perspectives to provide better quality care, by looking at QM core concepts and tools. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review was conducted. Papers published in academic journals between January 2013 and December 2019 were included. A deductive content analysis was chosen using QM core values as an analytical framework. Findings The results showed that QM core values, methodologies and tools were found in the reviewed articles about intensive care unit (ICU) transitional care. The results indicated that core values in QM and the core competencies within nursing science in ICU transitional care are mutually dependent upon each other and exist as a whole. ICU transitional care is, however, a complex interpersonal process, characterized by differences in organizational cultures and core values and involving multidisciplinary teams that collaborate across hospital units. The QM core value that was least observed was committed leadership. Research limitations/implications Combining QM and nursing science can contribute to a deeper understanding of how to improve the ICU transitional care process by bringing complementary perspectives. Practical implications The included articles portray how QM is applied in ICU transitional care. Implications for future research focus on enhancing the understanding of how QM and nursing science can bring complementary perspectives in order to improve ICU transitional care and how QM values, methodologies and tools can be used in ICU transitional care. Committed leadership and team collaboration in ICU transitional care are areas that call for further research. Originality/value The findings contribute to the body of literature by providing important insights in terms of how QM core values, methodologies and tools are present in research about ICU transitional care and how the two research subjects, namely, QM and nursing science, bring complementary perspectives.