Beyond Regional Boundaries: Insights From ICU Nursing Practices in Western China to Advance Global Strategies Patient Experience Strategies

Abstract

Background

As front-line caregivers in high-risk settings, intensive care unit (ICU) nurses worldwide play a pivotal role in redefining patient-centered critical care. Their daily practices not only influence individual patient outcomes and experiences but also provide transferable insights that can inform evidence-based and humanistic models of care. By examining how ICU nurses improve patient experiences—through structured communication frameworks, family engagement protocols, and innovative approaches to pain management—we can integrate these strategies into clinical workflows, professional education, and policy development. Such efforts have the potential to elevate service awareness among ICU nursing teams globally, improve care quality, and address persistent gaps in patient satisfaction.

Objectives

To assess the practices of ICU nurses in enhancing patient experience in a specific province of Western China and to identify key influencing factors, providing insights that can inform ICU practices globally.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to September 2024 using convenience sampling. It involved 242 ICU nurses from 43 tertiary hospitals and 19 secondary or lower-tier hospitals in the province. The research team's self-designed questionnaire gauged the nurses' contributions to patient experience enhancement.

Results

Out of 242 distributed questionnaires, 226 were valid, yielding a response rate of 93.4%. The proficiency of ICU nurses in improving patient experiences was rated as moderate. While the adherence to a responsibility system in overall nursing was satisfactory, the implementation in areas such as basic care, humanistic nursing, rehabilitative continuity of care, and nursing technology was moderate. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that hospital level and professional designation significantly influenced the nurses' practices in enhancing patient experiences.

Conclusions

The current situation of ICU nursing practices in enhancing patient experience is not optimistic. It is crucial to focus more on the experiential aspects of ICU care. This should involve enhancing both theoretical and practical training for nurses, and improving their awareness and skills in enhancing patient experiences. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of combining resources, technology, and humanistic care, providing valuable insights for ICU practices worldwide. Future efforts should prioritize the development of comprehensive training programs, the establishment of standardized clinical practices, and the promotion of the implementation and evaluation strategies aimed at enhancing the ICU patient experience.