FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MISSED NURSING CARE AND NURSE-ASSESSED QUALITY OF CARE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Labrague, Leodoro J; de Los Santos, Janet Alexis A; Fronda, Dennis C

BACKGROUND The coronavirus outbreak has brought unprecedented pressures to many healthcare systems worldwide, potentially compromising nursing care delivery and overall healthcare 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.