Nurse Sensitive Indicators and How COVID-19 Influenced Practice Change.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Quality
• Pandemic Impact

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally.
• Hospitals and health systems are beginning to assess the pandemic's effects on nursing care quality.
• Nurse sensitive indicators (NSIs) are critical metrics for evaluating nursing care effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurse sensitive indicators (NSIs).
• To capture the national perspective of chief nursing officers regarding pandemic-related challenges and experiences.
• To identify shared solutions and lessons learned from the pandemic among nursing executives.

Main Methods:

• A national analysis was conducted involving chief nursing officers from various hospitals and health systems.
• Demographic data on staffing and NSIs during the COVID-19 pandemic were collected.
• Round-table discussions were held with 272 chief nursing executives to capture shared solutions and lessons learned.

Main Results:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has had a discernible impact on nurse sensitive indicators.
• Chief nursing officers reported significant challenges related to staffing and NSI performance during the pandemic.
• Key themes emerged regarding adaptive strategies and resilience in nursing leadership.

Conclusions:

• The pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of nursing care quality to public health crises.
• Understanding the impact on NSIs is crucial for future pandemic preparedness and healthcare system resilience.
• Collaborative efforts and shared learning among nursing leaders are vital for navigating healthcare challenges.