Predictors of Nurse-Reported Quality of Care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Korea

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate predictors of nurse-reported quality of care (NQoC) in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Korea. Design and methodsThe study participants were 217 NICU nurses working in four tertiary general hospitals and three general hospitals across South Korea. Data were collected in February 2019, when a survey was performed to measure nurse-related characteristics, intent to leave, job satisfaction, and NQoC. Collected data were analyzed using t-test, chi-square test, and hierarchical logistic regression on the SPSS WIN 26.0 program. ResultsApproximately 53% of NICU nurses perceived good quality of care. NICU work experience of less than 2 years and 2 to 4 years were associated with increased odds of good NQoC in all regression models. Perceived adequacy of nurse staffing level was significantly associated with increased odds of good NQoC in model 2 (OR 4.90, 95% CI: 1.75–13.70), model 3 (OR 5.01, 95% CI: 1.73–14.50), and model 4 (OR 3.96, 95% CI: 1.29–12.12). Moreover, in model 3, intent to leave was associated with decreased odds of good NQoC (OR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.21–0.71), and job satisfaction was associated with increased odds of good NQoC (OR 5.41, 95% CI: 2.74–10.67) in model 4. ConclusionsNurses' NICU work experience, adequate nurse staffing level, no intent to leave, and job satisfaction were predictors of good NQoC among NICU nurses. Practice implicationImprovement of nurse staffing levels and job satisfaction is a promising strategy to achieve good quality of care in NICUs.