The Association Between Patient Family Members’ Incivility and Ongoing Patient Care Outcomes in Critical Care Settings at Tertiary Care Hospital, Swat

Background: The shift towards family-centered care, while beneficial, has heightened the risk of interpersonal conflict in hospitals. Incivility from patients' families is characterized by low- intensity disrespectful behaviors is a growing systemic concern, particularly in high-stress environments like intensive care units (ICUs). Such behavior is hypothesized to impair clinician cognition, increase stress, and disrupt care processes, posing a direct threat to patient safety and healthcare outcomes. However, empirical evidence quantifying this specific association, especially in resource-constrained settings, remains limited. Objective: This study aimed to assess and analyze the association between family member incivility and ongoing patient care outcomes within a critical care hospital swat. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 74 registered nurses working in ICU, coronary care unit (CCU), emergency room (ER), and high dependency unit (HDU). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating an adapted Nursing Incivility Scale and a tool measuring care disruption. Analysis was performed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 27 with descriptive statistics and Chi-square testing. Results: Approximately 25.7% of nurses reported frequent exposure to family incivility, while 40.5% reported frequent disruptions in patient care. A significant association was observed between incivility and care disruptions (χ²=3.69, p=0.055). Conclusion: Family incivility is a significant risk factor affecting patient care processes, necessitating targeted institutional interventions.