The impact of nursing work environments on patient safety outcomes: the mediating role of burnout/engagement

OBJECTIVE: To test a theoretical model of professional nurse work environments linking conditions for professional nursing practice to burnout and, subsequently, patient safety outcomes. BACKGROUND: The 2004 Institute of Medicine report raised serious concerns about the impact of hospital restructuring on nursing work environments and patient safety outcomes. Few studies have used a theoretical framework to study the nature of the relationships between nursing work environments and patient safety outcomes. METHODS: Hospital-based nurses in Canada (N = 8,597) completed measures of worklife (Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index), burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Scale), and their report of frequency of adverse patient events. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling analysis supported an extension of Leiter and Laschinger's Nursing Worklife Model. Nursing leadership played a fundamental role in the quality of worklife regarding policy involvement, staffing levels, support for a nursing model of care (vs medical), and nurse/physician relationships. Staffing adequacy directly affected emotional exhaustion, and use of a nursing model of care had a direct effect on nurses' personal accomplishment. Both directly affected patient safety outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that patient safety outcomes are related to the quality of the nursing practice work environment and nursing leadership's role in changing the work environment to decrease nurse burnout.     

Ethical,legal and professional accountability in emergency nursing practice: An ethnographic observational study

IntroductionAccountability in nursing practice is a concept that influences quality care, decision-making, safety standards and staff values. Therefore, understanding accountability and how it affects nursing practice could improve patient care and nurses’ working conditions.AimThe aim of this study was to find factors that influenced ethical, legal and professional accountability in emergency nursing practice.MethodsA qualitative ethnographic approach using participant observation through convenience sampling was employed as the data collection method, while ethnographic content analysis was used for data analysis.ResultsThe factors linked to nursing accountability found were classified into four main themes: daily dynamics, work environment evolution, customs and routines and bioethics principles’ application.DiscussionThe long-term effect of chronic high workload and crowding, which affects nursing accountability, could promote burnout in a junior ED workforce. Changes in the nurses’ working conditions need to be implemented to limit the workload to which an ED nurse is subjected to.ConclusionED nurses have to manage their accountability in difficult situations regularly, which followed patterns of four main themes across the majority of situations. Nonetheless, all those factors were influenced by nursing workload, an ever-present factor that was always considered by ED nurses during decision-making.     

Validation of a surgical neonatal nursing workload tool

ObjectiveTo describe the development and validation of the Winnipeg Assessment of Neonatal Nursing Needs Tool-Surgical Complex (WANNNT-SC), a nursing workload tool for use in a surgical neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).MethodsThe Winnipeg Assessment of Neonatal Nursing Needs Tool (WANNNT) was modified to create the WANNNT-SC. Nursing staff utilized the tool over 60 consecutive shifts to determine the number of nurses needed to appropriately staff the unit. The charge nurse, based on professional judgement, also determined how many nurses were required to staff the unit on each shift.ResultsThe WANNNT-SC determined that 1.76 fewer nurses were needed for direct patient care. The tool was reliable across multiple users (mean difference 0.003, SD 0.32).ConclusionThe WANNNT-SC is valid, reliable, and can be used to determine the number of nursing staff required to provide direct patient care in a surgical NICU.     

Differences in nursing practice environment among US acute care unit types: A descriptive study

BackgroundThe hospital nursing practice environment has been found to be crucial for better nurse and patient outcomes. Yet little is known about the professional nursing practice environment at the unit level where nurses provide 24-hour bedside care to patients.ObjectivesTo examine differences in nursing practice environments among 11 unit types (critical care, step-down, medical, surgical, combined medical–surgical, obstetric, neonatal, pediatric, psychiatric, perioperative, and emergency) and by Magnet status overall, as well as four specific aspects of the practice environment.DesignCross-sectional study.Settings5322 nursing units in 519 US acute care hospitals.MethodsThe nursing practice environment was measured by the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index. The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index mean composite and four subscale scores were computed at the unit level. Two statistical approaches (one-way analysis of covariance and multivariate analysis of covariance analysis) were employed with a Tukey-Kramer post hoc test.ResultsIn general, the nursing practice environment was favorable in all unit types. There were significant differences in the nursing practice environment among the 11 unit types and by Magnet status. Pediatric units had the most favorable practice environment and medical–surgical units had the least favorable. A consistent finding across all unit types except neonatal units was that the staffing and resource adequacy subscale scored the lowest compared with all other Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index subscales (nursing foundations for quality of care, nurse manager ability, leadership, and support, and nurse–physician relations). Unit nursing practice environments were more favorable in Magnet than non-Magnet hospitals.ConclusionsFindings indicate that there are significant variations in unit nursing practice environments among 11 unit types and by hospital Magnet status. Both hospital-level and unit-specific strategies should be considered to achieve an excellent nursing practice environment in all hospital units.     

The characteristics and factors associated with omitted nursing care in the intensive care unit: A cross-sectional study

IntroductionPrior research showed that work environment features in acute care settings influence nurses’ capacity to provide care and impacts patient outcomes (e.g., falls). However, little is known about this phenomenon in the intensive care unit. The objectives of this study were to describe the characteristics of omitted nursing care, and to examine the associations between work environment features, omitted nursing care and nurse-reported outcomes in the intensive care unit.MethodsAn electronic cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in the province of Quebec, Canada. Over September 2021, nurses were asked to complete the Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT), the Intensive Care Unit Omitted Nursing Care instrument (ICU-ONC) and to report their perceptions of nurse-reported outcomes (e.g., quality of care). The associations between these variables were estimated using multivariable cluster-robust regression models, adjusted for nurse and hospital characteristics.ResultsA total of 493 nurses from 42 distinct hospitals participated to this study. On average, nurses felt that their work environment was acceptable, and that the quality and safety of patient care was good. Basic care activities (e.g., mobilisation) were most frequently reported as omitted as opposed to those related to surveillance and medical interventions. In multivariable analyses, higher work environment scores were associated with reduced omitted nursing care scores (p < 0.001) and better ratings for nurse-reported outcomes (p < 0.001). Also, higher omitted nursing care scores were associated with more negative perceptions about the quality and safety of care (p < 0.001).ConclusionOur study portrays the characteristics and some factors associated with omitted nursing care in the intensive care unit. Further research should determine whether intensive care nurses’ reports of organisational features and omitted nursing care are associated with objectively captured patient outcomes.     

我国医院护理服务受限研究

目的:探讨我国医院护理服务受限的情况及其相关影响因素。方法:本研究在"中国护理人力资源研究"的基础上对调查资料进行二次分析。采用描述性研究设计,使用巴塞尔护理服务受限程度量表修改版进行测量,调查我国不同特征医院的护理服务受限情况。结果:我国医院护理服务受限的平均得分为(3.20±2.41)分,未报告护理服务受限的护士仅占8.9%,报告3件及其以上护理服务受限的护士比例高达55.3%。地区医院、二级医院和内科病房的护理服务受限更为明显。护士人力配置越低(床护比越高),辅助性护理工作负荷越重,护士工作超时越多,护士服务受限越严重。结论:我国医院护理服务受限明显,尤以基础护理服务受限较突出。增加护理人力、减轻护士辅助性护理工作负荷强度,可以减少护士超时工作发生的频率,改善医院护理服务受限的状况。     

Nursing unit teams matter: Impact of unit-level nurse practice environment,nurse work characteristics,and burnout on nurse reported job outcomes,and quality of care,and patient adverse events—A cross-sectional survey

Aim

To investigate the impact of nurse practice environment factors, nurse work characteristics, and burnout on nurse reported job outcomes, quality of care, and patient adverse events variables at the nursing unit level.

Background

Nurse practice environment studies show growing insights and knowledge about determining factors for nurse workforce stability, quality of care, and patient safety. Until now, international studies have primarily focused on variability at the hospital level; however, insights at the nursing unit level can reveal key factors in the nurse practice environment.

Design

A cross-sectional design with a survey.

Method

In a cross-sectional survey, a sample of 1108 nurses assigned to 96 nursing units completed a structured questionnaire composed of various validated instruments measuring nurse practice environment factors, nurse work characteristics, burnout, nurse reported job outcomes, quality of care, and patient adverse events. Associations between the variables were examined using multilevel modelling techniques.

Results

Various unit-level associations (simple models) were identified between nurse practice environment factors, nurse work characteristics, burnout dimensions, and nurse reported outcome variables. Multiple multilevel models showed various independent variables such as nursing management at the unit level, social capital, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization as important predictors of nurse reported outcome variables such job satisfaction, turnover intentions, quality of care (at the unit, the last shift, and in the hospital within the last year), patient and family complaints, patient and family verbal abuse, patient falls, nosocomial infections, and medications errors.

Conclusion

Results suggested a stable nurse work force, with the capability to achieve superior quality and patient safety outcomes, is associated with unit-level favourable perceptions of nurse work environment factors, workload, decision latitude, and social capital, as well low levels of burnout. Nurses, physicians, nursing leaders, and executives share responsibility to create an environment supportive of interdisciplinary team development.     

Violence in hospitals and burnout among nursing staff

BackgroundNursing staff, especially in violence-prone emergency departments (ED), are at high risk of burnout. Frequently experienced violence is expected to have a strong impact on the nursing staff's burnout. This study aimed to examine the differences in the level of burnout between nursing staff who work in the ED and nursing staff who work in other inpatient departments, and its relationship with violence in various hospitals in Israel.MethodA cross-sectional study that utilized a three-part questionnaire: demographic data, degree of burnout, and frequency occurrence of violence events against nurses.Results150 nurses in EDs (N = 75) and inpatient departments (N = 75) were sampled. Significant differences were found between the two groups: Nurses in EDs experienced a higher degree of burnout than nurses in other hospital departments, and the degree of burnout was found to have a positive relationship with exposure to both verbal and physical workplace violence.ConclusionsNursing staff in EDs could develop a high degree of burnout, and exposure to workplace violence could exacerbate it. The physical and emotional safety of the staff is an important aspect in preventing burnout, and creating a secure work environment.     

Hospital nurse practice environment, burnout, job outcomes and quality of care: test of a structural equation model

Title. Hospital nurse practice environment, burnout, job outcomes and quality of care: test of a structural equation model. Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate relationships between nurse practice environment, burnout, job outcomes and nurse‐assessed quality of care. Background. A growing line of work confirms that, in countries with distinctly different healthcare systems, nurses report similar shortcomings in their work environments and the quality of care in hospitals. Neither the specific work environment factors most involved in dissatisfaction, burnout and other negative job outcomes, and patient outcomes, nor the mechanisms tying nurse job outcomes to quality of care are well understood. Method. A Nurse Practice Environment and Outcome causal structure involving pathways between practice environment dimensions and outcome variables with components of burnout in a mediating position was developed. Survey data from 401 staff nurses across 31 units in two hospitals (including the Revised Nursing Work Index, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and job outcome and nurse‐assessed quality of care variables) were used to test this model using structural equation modelling techniques. The data were collected from December 2006 to January 2007. Results. Goodness of fit statistics confirmed an improved model with burnout dimensions in mediating positions between nurse practice environment dimensions and both job outcomes and nurse‐assessed quality of care, explaining 20% and 46% of variation in these two indicators, respectively. Conclusion. These findings suggest that hospital organizational properties, including nurse–physician relations, are related to quality of care assessments, and to the outcomes of job satisfaction and turnover intentions, with burnout dimensions appearing to play mediating roles. Additionally, a direct relationship between assessments of care quality and management at the unit level was observed.     

The relationship between nurse practice environment,nurse work characteristics,burnout and job outcome and quality of nursing care: A cross-sectional survey

Aim

To explore the mechanisms through which nurse practice environment dimensions are associated with job outcomes and nurse-assessed quality of care. Mediating variables tested included nurse work characteristics of workload, social capital, decision latitude, as well as burnout dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment.

Background

Acute care hospitals face daily challenges to their efforts to achieve nurse workforce stability, safety, and quality of care. A body of knowledge shows a favourably rated nurse practice environment as an important condition for better nurse and patient outcome variables; however, further research initiatives are imperative for a clear understanding to support and guide the practice community.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Method

Grounded on previous empirical findings, a structural equation model designed with valid measurement instruments was tested. The study population was registered acute care nurses (N = 1201) in two independent hospitals and one hospital group with six hospitals in Belgium.

Results

Nurse practice environment dimensions predicted job outcome variables and nurse ratings of quality of care. Analyses were consistent with features of nurses’ work characteristics including perceived workload, decision latitude, and social capital, as well as three dimension of burnout playing mediating roles between nurse practice environment and outcomes. A revised model adjusted using various fit measures explained 52% and 47% of job outcomes and nurse-assessed quality of care, respectively.

Conclusion

The study refines understanding of the relationship between aspects of nursing practice in order to achieve favourable nursing outcomes and offers important concepts for managers to track in their daily work. The findings of this study indicate that it is important for clinicians and leaders to consider how nurses are involved in decision-making about care processes and tracking outcomes of care and whether they are able to work with physicians, superiors, peers, and subordinates in a trusting environment based on shared values. The involvement of nurse managers at the unit level is especially critical because of associations with nurse work characteristics such as decision latitude and social capital and outcome variables. Further practice and research initiatives to support nurses’ involvement in decision-making process and interdisciplinary teamwork are recommended.     

广东省二三级医院护士工作状况及差异分析

目的 调查广东省二、三级综合医院护士工作状况并分析其差异,为不同级别医院护理人力资源管理提供实证支持。方法 采用问卷调查法,于2018年收集广东省36所二、三级综合医院4 163名护士的一般资料、护理工作环境、护理工作受限水平、护士工作疲溃感、工作满意度及留职意愿。结果 护士对护理工作环境总体评分为3.03（2.74,3.61）分,其中对“人力物力充足性”以及“护士参与医院事务程度”维度评分最低,分别为3.00（2.50,3.50）、3.00（2.56,3.56）分;三级医院护士对护理工作环境总体及各维度评分均低于二级医院护士（均P<0.001）。护士报告护理工作受限项目为6.0（1.0,11.0）项,三级医院护士报告护理工作受限的项目数明显高于二级医院护士（P=0.036）。护士工作结局方面,二、三级医院护士的情感耗竭、去人格化的水平均为中度,个人成就感缺失的水平为高度,对工作表示满意的护士占61.42%,有留职意愿护士比例为79.87%;与二级医院相比,三级医院护士工作疲溃感程度较高（情感耗竭、去人格化维度均P<0.001）,对工作满意及有留职意愿护士比例较低（均P<0.05）。 结论 广东省二、三级医院护理工作环境仍有改善空间,护士工作负担较大、工作疲溃感程度较高、对工作满意度较低,其中三级医院问题更为突出。     

深圳市三级甲等综合医院ICU护士职业倦怠程度及其影响因素的研究

[目的]了解重症监护室(ICU)护士职业倦怠程度及其影响因素。[方法]采用不记名调查问卷收集资料,对深圳市4所三级甲等综合医院ICU护士进行问卷调查。[结果]ICU护士职业倦怠的去人格化和个人成就感维度得分分别为(5.48±2.36)分和(33.51±7.79)分,均低于北美常模(P<0.01);情绪倦怠感得分为(24.72±8.98)分,高于北美常模(P<0.01)。ICU护士工作压力源依次为:工作量及时间分配问题、病人护理方面的问题、护理专业及工作方面的问题、工作环境及资源方面的问题、管理及人际关系方面的问题。将护士工作压力源的35个条目与职业倦怠的3个维度进行相关分析,共有护理工作的社会地位太低等10个条目与职业倦怠呈显著性相关。[结论]深圳市三级甲等综合医院ICU护士呈现出较高的工作倦怠,建议护理管理者从以人为本的角度对ICU护士进行重点干预,给予其足够的社会支持和参与管理决策的机会,降低其护理工作压力源水平,以期减轻其职业倦怠,确保ICU护士身心健康和良好的护理质量。     

Workplace violence against nurses,job satisfaction,burnout, and patient safety in Chinese hospitals

BackgroundMost nurses have experienced some form of workplace violence, which could lead to physical or psychological harm and reduced job performance. Previous studies have examined the effects of workplace violence on nurses' job satisfaction and patient safety, but there have been very few examinations of whether workplace violence affects patient safety through nurse job satisfaction and burnout.PurposeTo investigate the relationships among workplace violence, nurse outcomes and patient safety. To explore whether nurse burnout and job satisfaction play mediating roles in the association of workplace violence and patient safety.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 23 hospitals in Guangdong province in China to collect data from 1502 nurses. A structural equation model design was tested with validated measurement instruments.FindingsNurse-reported workplace violence was found to be associated directly with higher incidences of burnout, less job satisfaction, lower patient safety and more adverse events. Nurse burnout was associated directly with lower patient safety and more adverse events. Higher nurse job satisfaction was associated directly with higher patient safety. Nurse burnout and job satisfaction played mediating roles in workplace violence and patient safety. The model explained 19.8% and 35.0% of nurse-reported patient safety and adverse events, respectively.DiscussionIt is important for administrators to consider how to protect nurses from workplace violence, to improve their wellbeing at work, and to deliver safe patient care. When nurses experience workplace violence, it is necessary to pay attention to their emotional reactions and job attitudes, and to provide them with support in order to avoid adverse impacts on patient safety. Further practices and research initiatives to support nurses' safety at work are recommended.     

Job dissatisfaction and burnout of nurses in Hunan,China: A cross‐sectional survey

In this study, we focused on measuring levels of nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction in the daily practice of nurses in Hunan province, China, analyzed factors related to nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction, and explored the relationship between them. Previous studies have shown a high level of burnout and job dissatisfaction among nurses worldwide. A cross‐sectional survey of 1100 nurses was conducted. The nurses worked at 20 hospitals in 11 cities and counties throughout China's Hunan province. Nurse burnout was measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Nurse‐rated job dissatisfaction was described using a four point scale, and work environment was measured using the Nursing Work Index – Practice Environment Scale. The results showed that nurses had high burnout scores and were dissatisfied with their jobs. Staffing, work environment, and work hours were all significantly associated with nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction. Adequate staffing, improved work environment, and reasonable work hours are related to decreasing nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction.     

The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index: An updated review and recommendations for use

ObjectivesThe Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) is an instrument, which measures the nursing practice environment – defined as factors that enhance or attenuate a nurse’s ability to practice nursing skillfully and deliver high quality care. The purpose of this paper is to provide an updated review of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index’s use to date and provide recommendations that may be helpful to nursing leaders and researchers who plan to use this instrument.DesignA narrative review of quantitative studies.Data sourcesPubMed, EMBASE, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature were searched to identify relevant literature using the search terms, Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index and PES-NWI.Review methodsStudies were included if they were published in English between 2010 and 2016 and focused on the relationship between the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index and patient, nurse, or organizational outcomes. Data extraction focused on the reported survey scores and the significance and strength of the reported associations.ResultsForty-six articles, from 28 countries, were included in this review. The majority reported significant findings between the nursing practice environment and outcomes. Although some modifications have been made, the instrument has remained primarily unchanged since its development. Most often, the scores regarding staffing and resource adequacy remained the lowest.ConclusionThe frequency of use of this instrument has remained high. Many researchers advocate for a move beyond the study of the connection between the Practice Environment Scale and nurse, patient, and organizational outcomes. Research should shift toward identifying interventions that improve the environment in which nurses practice and determining if changing the environment results in improved care quality.     

河北省综合医院护理工作环境现状及与护理质量安全的相关性研究

目的调查河北省综合医院护理工作环境的现状,并分析其与护理质量安全的相关性。方法采用护士工作环境量表和护理质量安全问卷对河北省20所二级、三级综合医院的1023名护士进行问卷调查。结果护理工作环境得分为（3．45±0．55）分,得分最高的维度为医护合作,最低的维度为充足的人力和物力。良好的医护合作可使护士对病区护理质量和出院后患者自我护理有正性影响;鼓励护士参与医院事务、重视高质量护理服务的基础工作,对护士的患者安全评价有正性影响。结论河北省综合医院护理工作环境总体较好,良好的护理工作环境有利于护理质量和患者安全的保障,医疗主管部门和护理管理者应当继续优化护理工作环境的各要素,以进一步提升护理质量和患者安全。     

Undergraduate registered nursing students working as assistants in nursing within the acute care environment: Program development and discussion

BackgroundMost pre-registration nursing students require employment during their studies which may entail undertaking another qualification.This paper describes how one university developed a program whereby undergraduate nursing students complete the national vocational education – HLT33115 Assistant in Nursing qualification through recognition of prior learning, a self-directed education package and completion of an objective structured clinical examination.ObjectiveTo discuss the development of an ‘Assistant in Nursing’ in the acute care environment program for pre-registration undergraduate nursing degree students using the national vocational education framework.DesignThis program maps the national ‘Assistant in Nursing- Acute Care’ vocational qualification to the pre-registration registered nurse degree. Upon successful completion of this program students can work as Assistants in Nursing within the acute care environment.ConclusionsThis program enables student nurses to work as Assistants in Nursing within the acute care environment. This provides employment in a health facility and opportunities for students to immerse themselves in the clinical environment whilst continuing their studies. This may assist students to gain a deeper insight into their future role as a nurse, build networks within the nursing community and assimilate into the clinical environment. This program design may prove useful as a template for other nursing faculties wishing to implement a similar program.     

The value of intentional self-care practices: The effects of mindfulness on improving job satisfaction,teamwork, and workplace environments

BackgroundBurnout rates among nurses have detrimental impact on job satisfaction, teamwork, and patient care. This costs millions of dollars in the healthcare system and challenges nurse leaders to address in order to keep up with the healthcare demands. Furthermore, burnout is especially relevant in our current healthcare climate, as frontline nurses have increased workload and multiple psychosocial stressors during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (Sultana, Sharma, Hossain, Bhattacharya, & Purohit, 2019). Literature also suggests that mindful self-care practices need to be reinforced in order to impact burnout long term (Chamorro-Premuzic & Lusk, 2017). Project7 Mindfulness Pledge© is an accessible and voluntary mindfulness tool that nurses can utilize in their individual practice to reduce burnout and does not require significant time commitment.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of intentional self-care practices on nurse burnout and workplace environment by measuring job satisfaction and teamwork among nurses.MethodsComparisons between inpatient units on data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) with the Practice Environment Scale (PES), specifically on job enjoyment and teamwork, were done utilizing ANOVA.ResultsResults show that nurses in an inpatient unit that implemented Project7 has significantly higher job satisfaction as compared to units that did not implement Project7.ConclusionsThis suggests that this tool provides an effective and accessible mindfulness framework managers and directors can utilize to improve job satisfaction, teamwork, and thereby reduce burnout to create healthier work environments.