Study finds pandemic worsened patient safety measures

Rates of falls, bloodstream infections from central line catheters, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, pressure ulcers and pneumonia associated with ventilator use increased significantly during the pandemic and have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, a study found. Published in Nursing Research, the authors examined data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators to assess trends in nursing-sensitive quality indicators from 2019 to 2022. The authors say disruptions to work processes during the pandemic and the increase of higher acuity, predominantly COVID-19 patients impaired nurse surveillance and interventions to prevent the occurrence of poor performance on nurse-sensitive quality indicators. The study underscores the importance of supporting nurses and ensuring they have the resources and support they need to provide high-quality care, the authors say. (Newswise news release, 10/30/24)