Document Type
DNP Project
Department
School of Nursing
Date of Degree
Spring 2018
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Primary Advisor
Ellen T. Kurtzman, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN; John Welton, PhD, RN, FAAN
Abstract
Background: Missed nursing care is defined as any lapse in essential patient care. It is a previously studied, persistent phenomenon. If unrecognized, it can compromise patients’ recoveries, trigger adverse events, and increase healthcare costs.
Objectives: To examine the prevalence of missed nursing care reported by medical-surgical registered nurses (RNs) and contributing factors for its occurrence.
Methods: The project used a cross-sectional, correlational design. A convenience sample of 96 RNs, recruited from three medical-surgical units, completed the MISSCARE Survey between September and October 2017. An analysis of survey responses quantified the frequency, nature, and common contributing factors for care omissions. The project was set in a small, Northeast, Pathway to Excellence® designated hospital.
Results: Fifty-two RNs completed surveys, most who were female (94.2%), held a Bachelor’s in Nursing degree (53.8%), and had 10+ years of work experience (34.6%). Over 1 in 5 respondents reported five nursing tasks were “frequently” or “always” missed: care conferences (46.1%), scheduled ambulation (36.5%), turning (34.6%), monitoring intake and output (23.1%), and timely medications administration (23.1%). Significant contributors to care omissions were: heavy admission/discharge activity (57.7%), fewer assistive personnel (55.8%), staff shortages (50.0%), and unbalanced patient assignments (40.4%).
Conclusions: RNs identified the top five missed nursing care items in a small, community hospital and cited patient turnover, labor resource shortages, and unbalanced assignments as key, contributing factors. Inter-professional communication and teamwork effectiveness were not reported as contributing factors. Project results should inform nurse leaders’ efforts to devise interventions to safeguard patients, improve quality, and decrease cost.
Copyright Notice
© 2018 Anne Schmidt. All rights reserved.
Recommended Citation
Schmidt, DNP, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, CENP, A. (2018). Missed Nursing Care Reported by Medical-Surgical RNs in a Community Hospital. , (). Retrieved from https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/son_dnp/16
Open Access
1
Included in
Health and Medical Administration Commons, Nursing Administration Commons, Perioperative, Operating Room and Surgical Nursing Commons
