Factors associated with missed nursing care and nurse-assessed quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The coronavirus outbreak has brought unprecedented pressures to many health care systems worldwide, potentially compromising nursing care delivery and overall health care services. Aims: This study identified factors that contributed to missed nursing care and nurse-assessed quality of care during the coronavirus pandemic. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional research design using an online survey. Survey respondents were 295 frontline nurses from the Central Region of the Philippines. Results: Missed care occurred at a low level, with adequate patient surveillance as the most often missed nursing care activity. Hospital facility size, nurse staffing levels, and patient safety culture predicted missed nursing care. Personal protective equipment adequacy, nurse staffing levels, and patient safety culture were identified as predictors of quality of care. Conclusion: Frontline nurses tended to miss clinical aspects of nursing care during the pandemic. Modifying elements of the work environment, including nurse staffing levels, safety culture, and adequacy of protective equipment, may reduce care compromise and improve the quality of nursing care. Implications for Nursing Management: By addressing the identified predictors, nurse managers could effectively develop appropriate interventions to support the professional role of nurses and ensure the delivery of complete, safe, and quality nursing care during the pandemic.

Automated summary

The study identified factors contributing to missed nursing care and nurse-assessed quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Modifying elements of the work environment, such as nurse staffing levels, safety culture, and adequacy of protective equipment, may help reduce care compromise and improve nursing care quality. Addressing these predictors could support nurses' professional role and ensure safe, complete, and quality care delivery during the pandemic.