A qualitative study of ICU nurses assisting in Wuhan who suffered from workplace violence during the COVID-19 outbreak

Workplace violence experiences of intensive care unit healthcare providers: a qualitative systematic review and meta--synthesis

OBJECTIVE

Workplace violence (WPV) in intensive care units (ICUs) is a prevalent issue that affects staff well-being and patient care. Although individual studies have explored various facets of WPV, there is a need for a comprehensive synthesis to provide a cohesive understanding of the phenomenon and inform effective interventions. This study aimed to understand its impact on the mental health and work status of ICU staff, identify the coping strategies used by ICU staff to manage WPV and explore the support required by healthcare professionals when facing WPV.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Medline, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from the date of inception until June 5, 2024. Only qualitative studies or the qualitative part of mixed methods studies were included in the analysis, with no restrictions on the type of ICU or type or source of violence. This study assessed the risk of bias in the included studies and synthesized the results according to the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute (2024).

RESULTS

Six studies were included. These studies, which were published between 2018 and 2023, were conducted in four countries and involved 91 participants. Six analytical themes and 17 subthemes emerged from the qualitative data. The themes were as follows: Prevalence of ICUs Violence, ICU healthcare perceptions of WPV, The Ripple Effect of WPV in ICU, Practical Strategies for ICU Staff Dealing with WPV, What they need when facing WPV, and Reasons for Not Reporting WPV.

CONCLUSIONS

The synthesized findings highlight the pervasive nature of WPV in ICUs and its profound impact on staff members. This review underscores the need for systematic interventions, including comprehensive training, accessible psychological support, and robust reporting mechanisms, to mitigate the effects of WPV.

OTHER

This study was funded by the Wu Jieping Medical Foundation(320.6750.18526),China. The review protocol was prospectively registered in the Prospective Register of PROSPERO (CRD42024559076).

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The research findings can provide important evidence for hospital managers and policymakers, helping them develop more effective workplace management policies to enhance the safety and well-being of ICU staff.

Nurses' barriers to the pressure ulcer risk assessment scales implementation: A phenomenological study

AIM

The aim of the study was to explore nurses' barriers to the pressure ulcer risk assessment scales implementation.

DESIGN

A qualitative descriptive phenomenological study.

METHODS

The research participants comprised of 10 nurses at various medical and surgical departments in a teaching hospital northeast of Namibia. Data were collected between August and September 2022 through in-depth, semi-structured face-to-face individual interviews and analysed using Colaizzi's 7-step method.

RESULTS

The interviews with nurses, led to two major themes being discovered: (1) factors hindering the effective prevention of pressure ulcers; (2) suggestions for improvements in the utilization of risk assessment scales. The participants noted that they had inadequate knowledge of the formal risk assessment scales; there were inadequate resources and insufficient staff; there were no policies or guidelines regarding the management of pressure ulcers, all of which influenced their utilization of pressure risk assessment scales. Education and training, the provision of equipment, the hiring of new staff and the formulation of policies/guidelines would thus improve the nurses' utilization of the scales.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study have uncovered three primary factors that have a detrimental impact on the utilization of risk assessment scales by nurses, that is their lack knowledge on pressure ulcer risk assessment scales; a shortage of staff and equipment; and an absence of policies/guidelines. The findings from this study provide valuable implications for guiding quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing the standard of care in Namibia and other resource-limited settings.