Factors affecting quality nursing care at selected public hospitals in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Globally, professional nurses play an important role in the provision of health care. The performance of nurses is linked to the productivity and provision of quality patient care. Quality nursing care is important when patients are hospitalized and depend on the care providers and systems of the hospitals. Poor nursing care may lead to lawsuits. This study describes factors affecting quality nursing care at three selected public hospitals in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. The study employed a quantitative and descriptive approach. Population was professional nurses who were in direct nursing care of the patients. Non-probability purposive sampling approach was used to select hospitals and professional nurses. The sample size was 230 nurses. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire after receiving ethical clearance from the University of Venda, approval from Department of Health Research Committee, Chief Executive Officers of the three-selected hospital and the District Executive manager. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science version [26.0]. Each step of the research process was measured for validity and reliability. Results are presented in the form of tables. Biographic results indicated that 88,6% of respondents were female professional nurses and 10, 8% of respondents of professional nurses were male. Regarding knowledge and attitude, 98% of respondents of professional nurses agreed that supervision by skilled nurses is necessary while performing nursing duties. Majority (97%) indicated that patients feel free to be nursed by professional nurses with a name tag on. Regarding system related factors, 98% of respondents indicated that health system guidelines positively influence quality nursing care. The key findings of this study revealed that several factors, including knowledge and caring attitude of a nurse related factors, patient related factors and system related factors affect quality nursing care in public hospitals.To improve quality nursing care, this study recommends that the Department of Health should channel resources towards increasing the number of staff, increase opportunities of further education and training, improve system related factors and ensure that principles are adhered to. For institutional and health system related factors, communication should be improved, hospital infrastructure needs maintenance and upgrading, medication should be made available, auditing should be regular, and appropriate disciplinary measures should be taken for inappropriate behaviour and mistakes. Key parameters that promote quality nursing care such as effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, ethical, transparency, teamwork, respecting people’s rights and their different cultures should be upold. For patients, they should be active participation and patients’ attitude and beliefs should be respected. Future research should be extended to private hospitals.