Nurses’ Experiences from Patient Safety Incidents of Hospitalized Children: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed at exploring nurses’ experiences concerning patient safety incidents among hospitalized children in South Korea. From August 4 to 12, 2023, data were collected through in-depth individual interviews involving 14 clinical nurses. Employing thematic analysis, we identified 8 themes, which coalesced into three theme clusters: “challenges in pediatric patient safety nursing due to patient and caregiver characteristics,” “emotional changes in nurses following patient safety incidents,” and “sincere desire to prevent patient safety incidents in pediatric patients” The findings underscored that nurses experience significant burdens related to patient safety, emphasizing the necessity for robust support from caregivers, healthcare institutions, and national policies. Consequently, it is imperative to develop and implement programs and policies to foster a secure care environment for pediatric patients. Nurse managers and organizations must proactively design healthcare systems and related policies that prioritize safely protecting pediatric patients and nurses alike from patient safety incidents, considering the characteristics of pediatric patients and the experiences of the nurses caring for them.