Missed Nursing Care in a Second-Level Surgical Care Area in Northern Italy: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

Introduction: The phenomenon of omitted or delayed nursing care, also known as Missed Nursing Care (MNC), is a nursing issue, affecting all over the world and have been subject of multiple studies in Italy as well. The evidence to date summarized, comes mainly from research designs that consider the perceptions of nursing staff but the area of patient’s experience, remains little investigated. Aim : The study analyzed the MNC phenomenon according to the experience of caring for some patients admitted to the surgical area in a surgical department of a second-level hospital in northern Italy in order to determine which elements of nursing care might be delayed or omitted. Methods : A descriptive qualitative study design was used through Shilling's [1] conceptual model with thematic analysis, using semi-structured interviews for patients who were previously admitted to the surgical areas of the identified hospital. The research adhered to the checklist and guidelines COREQ. Results: From the analysis of the interviews, it was found that the MNCs perceived most frequently by the patients, in the settings considered in this study, were the failure of the staff to introduce themselves to the users during intake, upon the arrival to the unit and also to the inpatient rooms, the lack of explanation of the care activities that would take place during the shift, the absence of performing or proposing oral care and to sanitize hands of the inpatients. From what the respondents said, the other care activities, were found to be delivered satisfactorily and without delays finding no further shortcomings. Conclusions : The results of this study helped to identify, through patients' perceptions, some elements of care that are omitted or delayed, but which results to be essential in care practices. Knowledge of patients' perceptions of MNCs helps to identify variables that characterize the quality of care, enabling professionals and policy makers to improve actions on care processes.