Quality of nursing care provided in a neonatal intensive care unit. Structure assessment

ABSTRACT

Structure is considered one of the three major approaches in the evaluation of quality; the other two being process and outcome. Appraisal of structure involves the attributes of the settings in which care is delivered that includes the material resources, the human resources and the organizational structure. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of nursing care provided at the neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] at Princess Badia Teaching Hospital, Jordan, as regards the various components of structure domain within the context of quality. A checklist for structure assessment was developed which included criteria classified under three main areas; namely, material resources, human resources and organizational structure. The results revealed certain deviations from the recommended compliance scores for each area. Recommendations were proposed to stress the importance of the NlCU being specifically built to reflect practice, environment and cultural needs as well as continuous education activities of NICU staff. Documented policy and procedure manuals were also recommended for assuring maintained quality care at the NICU