QUALITY OF NURSING CARE AS PERCEIVED BY THE NURSES IN A TERTIARY HEALTHCARE INSTITUTION

ABSTRACT

Nursing care services contributes to the health care delivery system. The quality associated with it remains an important concern in every society. This study assessed quality of nursing care as perceived by nurses in a tertiary health institution in Benin City, Edo State. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated for the study. The target population comprised of two hundred and forty-three (243) from which a sample size of 151 was selected using the Taro Yamme formula. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and hypotheses tested at p < 0.05. A reliability coefficient of 0.84 was obtained. Results showed that 66.8% and 33% had positive and negative perception respectively. Majority had positive perception on protocols/standards being observed, mistakes being promptly reported and addressed, teamwork among various personnel (mean > 2.50), whereas majority reported negative perception on provision of adequate support services for nursing staff, enough time in discussing patient care problem with other nursing staffs, enough time to always protect the patients’ privacy (mean < 2.50). On the perceived factors influencing quality of nursing care, workload, high patient turnover, poor organization of working hours/shifts, inadequate equipment, supplies and infrastructure were reported (mean > 2.50). Perceived strategies in improving quality of nursing care were reported as need for provision of adequate facilities and equipment, employment of nursing staffs, improved wellbeing and quality of nurses, encouraging nurses to engage in research, encouraging nurses to follow up with update courses (mean > 2.50) . The study concluded that nurses had positive perception of the quality of nursing care but identified factors that reduce quality. The study recommended that nursing administrators/directors should endevour to provide adequate support to nursing staff in order to enable them focus on tasks, government at all levels should endevour to put in place and strictly implement policies that address nursing staff remuneration and welfare.