Analysis of the Prevalence of Missed Nursing Care Using Three Workload Assessment Methods: A Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Study Among Intensive Care Nurses
Anaëlle Caillet, Jérôme E. Dauvergne, Laurent Poiroux, Pierre‐Yves Blanchard, Arnaud Bruyneel
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Increased workload is associated with a higher prevalence of missed nursing care. AIM: Describe the prevalence of missed care in intensive care units (ICUs) and identify the workload scale most strongly associated with this prevalence. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was combined with a longitudinal study conducted in 2024, between 15 January and 15 April, in France to assess the workload. A total of 1271 nurses working in 61 ICUs completed the questionnaire one time per shift. RESULTS: A total of 72.3% of nurses reported at least one missed care. The Nursing Activities Score provided the strongest association with the prevalence of missed care compared to patient-to-nurse ratio and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of missed care and nursing workload was high. Nurses tended to focus on direct patient care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Continuously assessing the prevalence of missed care can be a valuable tool for managing workload in ICUs.