Medication-related missed nursing care and nurse work experience in Danish short-stay units: Findings from a national sub-study

BACKGROUND: Medication-related Missed Nursing Care (MNC) is particularly a risk in short-stay units in ED, increasing the risk of adverse events. This study investigates the prevalence of medication-related MNC in Danish short-stay units, its association with nurse work experience, and the most common reasons for MNC. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 hospital units using the Danish validated version of MISSCARE Survey. Associations were analyzed using multiple logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: A total of 319 nurses participated. Overall, 63-73% reported medication-related tasks as frequently missed. Nurses with ≤2 years of experience were less likely to report missed administration of scheduled medications than more experienced nurses. No differences in reporting missed PRN-medication requests or assessing medication effectiveness were associated with work experience. The most commonly cited reason for MNC in Danish ED short-stay units was an "unexpected rise in patient volume and/or acuity." CONCLUSION: Medication-related tasks were frequently missed in short-stay ED units, and nurse experience appears to influence reporting of missed scheduled medication administration. Organizational factors, including staffing adequacy and workload management, were primary contributors. Targeted training combined with supportive work environments may reduce medication-related MNC and improve patient safety in short-stay units.