Patient perceptions of missed nursing care

Area of Science:

• Healthcare quality improvement
• Patient safety research
• Nursing practice and administration

Background:

• Previous studies indicate nursing staff perceive significant omissions or delays in standard patient care.
• This study investigates patient perspectives on missed nursing care to identify specific elements and extent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine which elements of nursing care patients can report on.
• To understand the types and frequency of missed nursing care from the patient's viewpoint.

Main Methods:

• Conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews with 38 inpatients across seven acute care units.
• Utilized open-ended and interactive questions to gather detailed patient experiences.

Main Results:

• Patients could report on care like bathing and pain medication, but not always on assessments or IV site care.
• Frequently missed care included mouth care, ambulation, discharge planning, and patient education.
• Call light responses, meal assistance, and repositioning were sometimes missed; bathing and vital signs were rarely missed.

Conclusions:

• Patients can provide valuable accounts of their care if alert and aware.
• Patient perceptions of missed care align with some nursing staff observations.
• Linking missed care to patient outcomes is essential for prioritizing care elements and evaluating cost-benefit.