Abstract

Missed nursing care is practiced by registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses and nurses' aides alike. Therefore, when nursing care is not completed, the quality of care that follows is reduced. This study was conducted to compare the observed and perceived missed nursing care in selected medical intensive care units. A descriptive comparative design was utilized to carry out this study. The study was conducted in six medical intensive care units at EL Kasr El Ainy hospital and El Manial University hospital. A convenience sample of staff nurses working at the selected units were selected. Data were collected by using modified MISSCARE self-reporting questionnaire and missed nursing care observational checklist. The result of the current study revealed that there was significant difference between perceived and observed nursing care elements being missed. Where, the majority of staff nurses reported that they never missed the elements of missed nursing care. Conversely, the majority of observed participants had been missing particular nursing care elements. This study recommended that more attention should be given to monitoring nursing care that was being missed on a daily basis. Furthermore, staff nurses need to realize the importance of reporting and disclosing the elements of nursing care being missed.