Impact of nursing risk management target cards on patient safety in intensive care unit patients: a mixed-methods...

Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of nursing risk management target cards on patient safety in the intensive care unit (ICU), focusing on nurses' risk perceptions and safety behaviors. Methods. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design with a single-group pre-test/post-test (no control group) was used. A 3-month nursing risk management target card intervention was implemented to support proactive risk identification, warning and intervention. Quantitative data were collected using the adverse events risk perception scale among clinical nurses (AERPS) and nurse safety behavior questionnaire (NSBQ), both with established reliability. Differences were analyzed via the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Qualitative data from four focus group interviews (35 participants) were analyzed using content analysis. Results. A total of 115 ICU nurses participated. Significant improvements were observed in the total AERPS scores (Z = 3.551, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.189, 0.546]) and NSBQ scores (Z = 2.769, p = 0.006, 95% CI [0.1, 0.491]) post intervention. Three qualitative themes emerged: early identification, early warning and early intervention; development of a nursing risk mindset; and improved nursing risk management skills. Conclusion. Implementing nursing risk management target cards in the ICU significantly improves ICU nurses' risk perception and safe behaviors, potentially reducing the risk of adverse events and improving patient safety.