Crossing the technological line: Blood transfusion and the art and science of nursing, 1942-1990.

Abstract

This thesis examined the process by which blood transfusion was incorporated into nursing practice at the Ottawa Civic Hospital after 1942. Oral history, archival sources, professional literature, and popular literature provided data for an analysis which used social history as the framework. Three themes emerged from the data, based on the manner in which nurses were involved with blood: the construction of knowledge related to transfusion; the manner in which transfusion complicated care giving; and the influence of changing work patterns on nursing expertise. Discussion was organized by three time periods: 1924-1949, 1950-1970, and 1970-1990. I have argued that nurses take on a variety of technological roles, incorporating them into practice, and transforming them. In doing so, the art and science of nursing became integrated and seamless--'knowing' and 'doing' became a unified whole. This study contributes to knowledge in Canadian history, medical and nursing history, women's history, and the history of technology--through a complementary understanding of blood transfusion and nurses' roles in adopting medical technology. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)