Predictors of human error among intensive care unit nurses: the roles of professional commitment and anxiety

The intensive care unit (ICU) is a stressful environment where anxiety can increase human errors, affecting patient safety. Professional commitment can improve care quality and reduce such errors. In alignment with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), we explored the relationship between professional commitment, anxiety, and human errors among ICU nurses in two government hospitals in Riyadh and Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among ICU nurses in two governmental hospitals in Riyadh and Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Convenience sampling was used. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Questionnaire, a professional commitment scale, and a researcher-made questionnaire on human errors in the ICU. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, applying descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression.

A significant negative relationship was found between professional commitment and human errors, and a significant positive relationship between anxiety and human errors among ICU nurses (r = -0.148, p = 0.015; r = 0.174, p = 0.006, respectively). A multiple linear regression model containing both predictors was significant [F(2,151) = 9.84, p < 0.001] and explained 11.5% of the variance in human error scores (R² = 0.115).

There is a significant association between professional commitment, anxiety, and human errors among ICU nurses. Reducing anxiety and improving professional commitment can help minimize human errors, improve patient safety, and contribute to the achievement of SDG 3 and SDG 8.