Risk management—Evaluation of healthcare professionals' reasoning about and understanding of maternity care

Aim To evaluate healthcare professionals' explanations of the prerequisites for safe maternity care and understanding of risk management, including the underlying reasons for decision‐making intended to ensure safe care. Background Risk management focuses on maintaining and promoting safe care by identifying circumstances that place childbearing women at risk of harm, thus reducing risks. Methods A hermeneutic action research approach was chosen. Through a series of focus group sessions, we uncovered healthcare professionals' explanations of risk management. Results One overriding theme emerged; the consequences of what managers do or fail to do constitute the meaning of taking responsibility for team collaboration to provide safe care. Inadequate support, resources and staff shortages have consequences, such as inability to concentrate on team communication and collaboration, leading to the risk of unsafe care. Conclusion Communication constitutes a prerequisite for both team collaboration and risk management. Thus, communication is linked to the ability of managers and healthcare professionals to provide safe care. Implications for Nursing Management In terms of safety management, nurse managers have a significant role in and responsibility for supporting communication training, developing guidelines and providing the prerequisites for interprofessional team reflection.