Emergency and Critical Care Management Experiences of Nurses in Selected Hospitals in MIMAROPA Region

Emergency and critical care nurses play an important role in providing immediate care to patients, especially in hospitals with limited resources. However, few studies have explored the experiences of nurses working in geographically isolated and resource-limited areas. Most studies focus on patient outcomes rather than the challenges nurses face in managing emergencies, stabilizing patients, and arranging patient transport. This study explored the experiences of nurses in managing emergency and critical care cases in selected hospitals in the MIMAROPA Region. It focused on their experiences, challenges, and strategies in providing care from initial treatment to patient stabilization and referral. A qualitative research design using narrative inquiry was employed. Fifteen (15) nurses from three government hospitals were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis with the help of NVivo software. The findings showed that nurses often handled emergency cases that required quick decisions and immediate action. However, they faced challenges such as limited medicines, problems with patient monitoring, financial difficulties among patients, and transportation barriers. Despite these difficulties, nurses showed resourcefulness, teamwork, and adaptability in providing care and stabilizing patients. The study concluded that limited resources and healthcare support affect the quality and timeliness of emergency care. Therefore, the implementation of the S.A.F.E. Emergency Response Framework is recommended to improve resource availability, clinical decision-making, teamwork, patient transport, and continuity of care. This framework aims to promote patient safety and improve healthcare services and patient outcomes.