Annette L. Pienaar MNSc, RN, Alwiena J. Blignaut PhD, RN, Siedine K. Coetzee PhD, RN, FANSA, Marcel F. Mather MNSc, RN, Erika Fourie PhD
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction
Worldwide, emergency nurses experience worse nurse outcomes (burnout, physical and mental health, compassion fatigue, and job and career satisfaction), further exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, although poorly reported in developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the pandemic’s impact on nurse and patient outcomes in emergency units in South Africa.
Methods
A cross-sectional correlational design was used, with data collected from 2 different groups in the public and private sectors after the second and third coronavirus disease 2019 waves using a questionnaire. Purposive sampling of 116 private sector and 27 public sector emergency units (total n = 143) and total population sampling of nurses (n = 332) were used.
Results
South African emergency nurses experienced high levels of emotional exhaustion (mean = 28.03; SD = 1.08) and moderate job satisfaction (mean = 2.81; SD = 0.07), being particularly dissatisfied with salary/wages (mean = 2.15; SD = 0.07). More than a quarter (25.30%) planned to quit their jobs. Participants rated patient safety positively (mean = 2.32; SD = 0.09). Nurses responding after the third wave of the pandemic reported higher rates of compassion fatigue (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.01-10.1; P = .047) and dissatisfaction with both professional status (odds ratio, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.13-4.40; P = .02) and independence at work (odds ratio, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.24-3.94; P = .047, P = .01). There were practically significant correlations between job satisfaction and recommending one’s workplace (r = −0.44; P < .001) and emotional exhaustion and confidence in postdischarge care (r = 0.40; P < .001).
Discussion
An association between coronavirus disease 2019 and nurse and patient outcomes in South African emergency units exists, highlighting emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and job dissatisfaction concerns. Significant correlations were identified between nurse and nurse-reported patient outcomes. Addressing these concerns is critical to achieving better outcomes and planning for future health emergencies.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Emergency Nursing, the official journal of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), is committed to the dissemination of high quality, peer-reviewed manuscripts relevant to all areas of emergency nursing practice across the lifespan. Journal content includes clinical topics, integrative or systematic literature reviews, research, and practice improvement initiatives that provide emergency nurses globally with implications for translation of new knowledge into practice.
The Journal also includes focused sections such as case studies, pharmacology/toxicology, injury prevention, trauma, triage, quality and safety, pediatrics and geriatrics.
The Journal aims to mirror the goal of ENA to promote: community, governance and leadership, knowledge, quality and safety, and advocacy.