[Overtreatment in nursing-does it exist?]

BACKGROUND: In recent years "overtreatment" and "overdiagnosis" have become well discussed problems in medicine.

OBJECTIVES: Similar to medicine, could some nursing interventions be classified as "overtreatment in nursing"?

METHODS: The available literature was evaluated and the different kinds of "overtreatment in nursing" are described. Ritualised nursing interventions are critically reflected upon. A definition for the term "overtreatment in nursing" is suggested and potential implications on daily nursing practice are presented.

RESULTS: At the moment only little is known about "overtreatment in nursing". In fact this term has not been defined or discussed yet. However, different studies in medical settings have shown that nursing interventions might have negative impacts on the patients' condition. In the practical field of nursing, different causes of "overtreatment in nursing" can be identified and there are some approaches, which examine possibilities on how to deal with the problem.

CONCLUSIONS: It is very likely that nursing interventions may have a negative impact on patients' health and recovery. Thus, defining the term "overtreatment in nursing" would be desirable. Moreover efforts should be made to find out more about the effects of "overtreatment in nursing" and possible preventive interventions.