Predictors of Nurse-Reported Quality of Care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Korea

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate predictors of nurse-reported quality of care (NQoC) in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Korea. Design and methods: The study participants were 217 NICU nurses working in four tertiary general hospitals and three general hospitals across South Korea. Data were collected in February 2019, when a survey was performed to measure nurse-related characteristics, intent to leave, job satisfaction, and NQoC. Collected data were analyzed using t-test, chi-square test, and hierarchical logistic regression on the SPSS WIN 26.0 program. Results: Approximately 53% of NICU nurses perceived good quality of care. NICU work experience of less than 2 years and 2 to 4 years were associated with increased odds of good NQoC in all regression models. Perceived adequacy of nurse staffing level was significantly associated with increased odds of good NQoC in model 2 (OR 4.90, 95% CI: 1.75-13.70), model 3 (OR 5.01, 95% CI: 1.73-14.50), and model 4 (OR 3.96, 95% CI: 1.29-12.12). Moreover, in model 3, intent to leave was associated with decreased odds of good NQoC (OR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.21-0.71), and job satisfaction was associated with increased odds of good NQoC (OR 5.41, 95% CI: 2.74-10.67) in model 4. Conclusions: Nurses' NICU work experience, adequate nurse staffing level, no intent to leave, and job satisfaction were predictors of good NQoC among NICU nurses. Practice implication: Improvement of nurse staffing levels and job satisfaction is a promising strategy to achieve good quality of care in NICUs. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.