Factors affecting missed nursing care in hospitals: A scoping review

Abstract

Many studies have been conducted on related factors of missed nursing care (MNC) around the world. The differences have been due to the variation in the health systems. This review aimed to explain the factors affecting MNCs. A qualitative scoping review was undertaken. The databases including MEDLINE, ProQuest, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were searched for studies on MNC and its related factors. Screening on the studies was done in four stages and the final studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Editorial, letter, and commentary studies were not considered. Finally, 34 studies were reviewed and eight main themes were obtained, including personal and job characteristics of nurses, nurses' workload, job satisfaction, available resources, professional communication and teamwork, work environment, management performance, and technology in caregiving. A wide range of organizational and individual factors contribute to MNC formation. The information obtained from this study can be beneficial for nurse managers to control the level of MNC and its consequences.

Keywords

• Care left undone
• Delayed care
• Missed nursing care
• Omitted care
• Unfinished care