Missed Nursing Care Situations and Reasons: Intensive Care Nurses

This study aimed to explore the level and reasons for missed nursing care by intensive care nurses.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2022 and February 2023, involving 300 nurses working in the intensive care units (ICUs) of a training and research hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using the "Nurse Descriptive Information Form" and the "Missed Nursing Care (MISSCARE) Survey". After data collection, post hoc calculations were performed to assess the theoretical power of the study. With an effect size of 0.50, α error set at 0.05, β error at 0.05, and a sample size of 300, the power of the study was calculated to be 0.95. Data analyses included the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.

The mean age of the ICU nurses was 31.65 ± 6.81 years; 65.8% were female, and 86.3% held a bachelor's degree. Missed nursing care was significantly more frequent among nurses who lacked awareness of the concept (U = 9711.50, p = 0.040), perceived insufficient management support (KW = 10.950, p = 0.040), or were considering leaving the ICU (U = 8492.50, p = 0.024). Gender (U = 8350.50, p = 0.014) and education level (KW = 7.84, p = 0.049) were associated with missed care.

Missed nursing care negatively impacts the quality and cost of healthcare. Interventions targeting organisational support and staff education may help reduce its prevalence in the future.