Osama M Ellayan (2023) Quality of Nursing Services Provided at Neonatal Intensive Care Units (Nicus) at Governmental Hospitals in the Gaza Strip, Palestine , Medical Sciences .
Abstract
Abstract Objective: The overall aim of this study is to assess the quality of nursing care provided to neonate infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in governmental hospitals in the Gaza Strip. Method: We followed a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design. This study was carried out in NICU units at Shifa Medical Complex (SMC), Nasr Pediatric Hospital (NPH), Al-Aqsa Hospital (AH), Nasser Medical Complex (NMC), El-Emaraty Hospital (EH) and the European Gaza Hospital (EGH). Data were collected from a sample of nurses (N=110) using a self-administered questionnaire that includes 8 domains that assess the quality of nursing care. A questionnaire was constructed and data was collected by the researchers through a face to face interview with nurses. Findings: The results showed that the total quality of nursing care in NICUs was 75.8%. The highest concepts associated with quality of nursing care on infection and inflammation 78.6% and the lowest on professional issues in NICU nursing 73.6%. Furthermore, there was statistically significant difference between in the average of ethics and quality of nursing care. According to educational level, where the quality of nursing care of participants with a diploma is lower than those with bachelors and master's degrees. In contrast, there wasn’t statistically significant difference according to nurse’s age in NICUs. Conclusion and recommendations: This study revealed the presence of gap in the quality of nursing care. There was existing knowledge gap in key areas of professional issues in NICU and pain and stress. The main recommendations were suggested that there need more focus on educational and training programs about main issues such as: pain management, and improve practices in neonates' care. documented policy and procedure manuals were also recommended for assuring maintained quality care at the NICU. Keywords: