Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing (대한간호학회지)

Korean Society of Nursing Science (한국간호과학회)
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Nurses' Experience with Caring for COVID-19 Patients in a Negative Pressure Room Amid the Pandemic Situation

팬데믹 상황에서 음압병실 근무 간호사의 COVID-19 환자 간호 경험

  • Noh, Eun-Young (College of Nursing, Seoul National University) ;
  • Chai, Young Jun (College of Medicine, Seoul National University.Department of Surgery, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center) ;
  • Kim, Hyun Jeong (Department of Dental Anesthesiology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Eunjin (Department of Nursing, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center) ;
  • Park, Yeon-Hwan (College of Nursing.The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University)
  • 노은영 (서울대학교 간호대학) ;
  • 채영준 (서울대학교 의과대학.서울대학교병원운영 서울특별시보라매병원 외과) ;
  • 김현정 (서울대학교 치의학대학원 치과마취과학교실) ;
  • 김은진 (서울대학교병원운영 서울특별시보라매병원 간호부) ;
  • 박연환 (서울대학교 간호대학.간호과학연구소)
  • Received : 2021.08.03
  • Accepted : 2021.09.27
  • Published : 2021.10.31
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Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore nurses' experience with caring for COVID-19 patients in a negative pressure room amid the spread of the pandemic. Methods: This study was a qualitative research, and focus group interviews were used to collect data. Three focus groups comprising 19 nurses were interviewed from February 17 to 25, 2021. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim with the consent of the participants. The verbatim transcripts were scrutinized using thematic analysis. Results: Two main themes emerged from the analysis: 'Struggling in an isolated space' and 'Limitations of nursing infrastructure and system'. The nurses caring for COVID-19 patients experienced anxiety and fear about the infection, physical exhaustion, emotional burnout, and a sense of duty as a nurse. They also acknowledged the lack of guidelines, increased task and burden, limitations of nursing care, and the demand for improving the limitations of the nursing system. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that nurses caring for COVID-19 patients encounter physical and emotional problems within the limited healthcare system. The study suggests that comprehensive interventions are needed for nurses. Furthermore, detailed guidelines, strengthening of nursing personnel, and improvements to the nursing system are vital to effectively cope with the pandemic. The government and medical institutions should be aware of the needs of nurses and what they are going through, and make efforts to improve the quality of life of healthcare workers and create a safe healthcare environment.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We would like to appreciate the contributions of the nurses enrolled in this study.

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