safety route in care: theoretical model of patient care process in operating room

Background: care in the operating room is challenging. the dimensions of this type of care are unknown.aim: the present study was conducted with aim to explain the process of patient care in iranian operating rooms in order to deeply understand the concept of care, determine the dimensions of care, facilitators and obstacles based on the obtained data.method: this grounded theory study was conducted in 2020-2023. data gathering was conducted through unstructured interview with 37 participants. data were analyzed using corbin and strauss, 2015 in three levels of concept, context and process.results: the safety route in care has three themes titled slippery passage of care with 3 categories including: 1- threatening and risky conditions of care, 2- in the straits of stress and pressure, and 3- lack of understanding of the sensitive surgical situation and a total of 7 subcategories. the second theme trying to maintain balance and safe care with 3 categories includes: 1- relying on values, 2- deciding to improve performance and 3- seeking support and 14 subcategories; and finally, the outcome of these efforts was safe care and 4 sub-categories of the outcome included: maintaining vigilance, assertiveness and authority, continued patient safety, and patient reassurance and peace with 12 subcategories.implications for practice: the nurses try to maintain the patient's safety in the slippery passage of care with relying on values, deciding to improve performance, reviewing and seeking support.