Ethical considerations
The North Denmark Regional Research council approved
the study protocol before study start (Data Protection
Agency, journal no. 2008-58-0028). The study adhered to
the ethical guidelines for nursing research in the Nordic
countries with regard to participant information, including
declarations of consent and anonymity [38]. The nursing
directors at the two university hospitals were gatekeepers
[28: 49]. The leaders, OR nurses, anesthesia providers, and
surgeons met the researchers (E.E.S. and I.Ø.O.) during
the information sessions and were informed about the
investigation. Knowledge transfer was secured by a Danish
publication [35]. All 24 participants provided written
informed consent, and none withdrew during the study.
Direct encounters between the researchers and awake
patients were avoided by standing behind apparatuses or
screens. When this was impossible, the researchers introduced
themselves to the patients.