Author Identifier (ORCID)
Afia Achiaa Sarpong: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6827-3177
Amanda Towell-Barnard: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2475-7724
Diana Arabiat: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2325-0398
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the study was to comprehensively analyse the prevalence and factors associated with missed nursing care in acute care settings. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to estimate the prevalence of missed nursing care, types of activities missed and associated factors in acute care hospital settings. Five electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PubMed and Scopus) were searched from inception to 14th December 2022. Type of missed care and associated factors were classified based on missed care concepts, definition and measurement. Random effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate proportions and levels of types of nursing activities missed. Results: A total of 45 studies recruited 139 454 nurses reporting missed care activities. The most frequent activity missed was ambulation, with estimated prevalence of 46% (95%, CI [0.37, 0.55] I2 = 99.6), followed by mouthcare 36% (95% CI [0.30, 0.43], I2 = 99.7%), emotional support 33% (95% CI [0.26, 0.43], I2 = 99.5%), bathing 31% (95% CI [0.22, 0.41], I2 = 99.6%) and feeding 30% (95% CI [0.23, 0.38], I2 = 99.5%). Limited workforce capacity was a major contributor to missed care. Conclusions: This study reports significant missed basic nursing activities in healthcare settings globally, suggesting greater odds of unsafe patient outcomes of hospitalisation. Targeted preventative strategies need to be tailored to specific missed care activities.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
2-1-2026
Volume
32
Issue
1
PubMed ID
41514174
Publication Title
International Journal of Nursing Practice
Publisher
Wiley
School
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Funders
Edith Cowan University / Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Sarpong, A. A., Gent, L., Towell‐Barnard, A., & Arabiat, D. (2026). Missed care prevalence and associated factors in acute care settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 32(1), e70097. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.70097