Missed nursing care: errors of omission

Abstract

This study examines what and why nursing care is missed. A sample of 459 nurses in 3 hospitals completed the Missed Nursing Care (MISSCARE) Survey. Assessment was reported to be missed by 44% of respondents while interventions, basic care, and planning were reported to be missed by > 70% of the survey respondents. Reasons for missed care were labor resources (85%), material resources (56%), and communication (38%). A comparison of the hospitals showed consistency across all 3 hospitals. Associate degree nurses reported more missed care than baccalaureate-prepared and diploma-educated nurses. The results of this study lead to the conclusion that a large proportion of all hospitalized patients are being placed in jeopardy because of missed nursing care or errors of omission. Furthermore, changes in Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations which will eliminate payment for acute care services when any one of a common set of complications occurs, such as pressure ulcers and patient falls, point to serious cost implications for hospitals.