Second victim experience and support desire among nurses working at regional levels in China

The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the degree of second victim syndrome and the desire for supports among nurses working in regional hospitals in China.

The evidence on the prevalence of second victim among health care workers remains inconsistent and has rarely focused on the regional level.

A quantitative, descriptive, survey-based, online, cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,194 nurses in three regional hospitals.

A total of 918 (76.88%) nurses, who reported have had experienced patient safety incidents, were selected for the final analysis. The mean score for the Chinese version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (C-SVEST) was (65.58 ± 10.05). Psychological distress (15.91 ± 2.99) and practice distress (15.26 ± 4.32) had the highest score. The mean score for the desired form of support was (4.29 ± 0.614). The option 'the opportunity to get guidance and suggestions for future work' was rated the most desired.

Nurses working at the regional level reported a similar degree of second victim experience and support desire, while the prevalence was much higher.

The second victim phenomenon has become increasingly complex and challenging and deserves more attention. Not only Safety-I but also Safety-II approaches are suggested to integrated to patient safety.