Staffing and organisation of nursing care in cardiac intensive care units in Greece
Date Issued
July 2003
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1474-5151(03)00029-X
Abstract
Purpose: To explore staffing and organisational characteristics of nursing care in cardiac intensive care units (CICUs) in
Greece. Methodology: An exploratory descriptive survey design with additional cross-sectional comparisons was employed.A
specifically developed survey-type questionnaire, addressed to nurse managers, was distributed to all CICUs in Greece. Results:
The response rate was 76.2% (Ns32 units).Nursing staff per bed ratios over 24 h (whole-time equivalent) were very low and
exhibited a mean of 1.25 ("0.53).The total registered nurse to assistance nurse (RNyAN) ratio was 2.74, but a lot of variability
was observed and in many units ANs operated in RNs positions.Only 42% of the nurses had participated at in-service continuing
education programs and a systematic training program in cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was provided in only 12 (37.5%)
units.The reported frequencies at which specific technical tasks were performed autonomously by nurses varied substantially and
reflected a medium to low level of practice autonomy; the most frequently reported tasks were: peripheral IV line insertion, CPR
chest compression, titration of vasoactive drugs and administration of analgesics.Higher percentages of nurses had received inservice
training associated with the likelihood of performance of several technical tasks (P-0.03). Conclusions: Future studies
need to explore the effect of these organisational characteristics on patient outcomes.The endorsement of nation-wide standards
for nursing staffing and training in CICUs is imperative.
Greece. Methodology: An exploratory descriptive survey design with additional cross-sectional comparisons was employed.A
specifically developed survey-type questionnaire, addressed to nurse managers, was distributed to all CICUs in Greece. Results:
The response rate was 76.2% (Ns32 units).Nursing staff per bed ratios over 24 h (whole-time equivalent) were very low and
exhibited a mean of 1.25 ("0.53).The total registered nurse to assistance nurse (RNyAN) ratio was 2.74, but a lot of variability
was observed and in many units ANs operated in RNs positions.Only 42% of the nurses had participated at in-service continuing
education programs and a systematic training program in cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was provided in only 12 (37.5%)
units.The reported frequencies at which specific technical tasks were performed autonomously by nurses varied substantially and
reflected a medium to low level of practice autonomy; the most frequently reported tasks were: peripheral IV line insertion, CPR
chest compression, titration of vasoactive drugs and administration of analgesics.Higher percentages of nurses had received inservice
training associated with the likelihood of performance of several technical tasks (P-0.03). Conclusions: Future studies
need to explore the effect of these organisational characteristics on patient outcomes.The endorsement of nation-wide standards
for nursing staffing and training in CICUs is imperative.