Davis Amy E, Copeland-Streeter Donna J, Okoye Rosanna R
Amy E. Davis is an assistant professor and Donna J. Copeland-Streeter is an associate professor at the University of South Alabama College of Nursing, Mobile. Rosanna R. Okoye is an assistant professor at Nightingale College, Salt Lake City, UT. The authors acknowledge Susan D. Scott, PhD, RN, CPPS, FAAN, a national expert in second victim research, for her expertise and guidance in the development of this project. Contact author: Donna J. Copeland-Streeter,
Am J Nurs. 2025 Apr 1;125(4):54-60. doi: 10.1097/AJN.0000000000000048. Epub 2025 Mar 27.
After a traumatic patient-related event, nurses may experience persistent physical, emotional, and psychological distress, known as second victim syndrome. Progressive nurse leaders understand the need for adequate support systems to promote resilience and mitigate the symptoms of second victim syndrome.
This quality improvement project was developed to reduce distress levels among second victims after a stressful patient-related event. The project was piloted on a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), an environment in which the risk of second victim syndrome is increased because of the vulnerable patient population the unit serves.
An academic-practice partnership between a southeastern U.S. nursing college and a freestanding children's and women's hospital identified the need for emotional support services in the PICU after a traumatic patient-related event. Following a readiness assessment, the project team implemented a structured, three-tiered comprehensive support program that included a second victim peer support team.
Project participants (N = 13) measured their distress levels on a distress scale both before and after peer support team encounters. Results indicated a statistically significant (t12 = 16.40, P < 0.001) reduction in distress levels after an encounter with a second victim peer support team member.
Nurse leaders are well-positioned to lead the development of support programs that promote resilience and the well-being of nurses and other health care professionals in mitigating the adverse effects of second victim syndrome.
在发生与患者相关的创伤性事件后，护士可能会经历持续的身体、情感和心理困扰，即所谓的“二次受害者综合征”。有前瞻性的护士长明白需要有足够的支持系统来增强恢复力并减轻二次受害者综合征的症状。
开展这个质量改进项目以降低在发生与患者相关的压力性事件后二次受害者的困扰程度。该项目在儿科重症监护病房（PICU）进行试点，由于该科室所服务的患者群体脆弱，在这个环境中二次受害者综合征的风险会增加。
美国东南部一所护理学院与一家独立的儿童医院及妇女医院建立的学术 - 实践伙伴关系，确定了在发生与患者相关的创伤性事件后PICU对情感支持服务的需求。在进行准备情况评估后，项目团队实施了一个结构化的、三层综合支持项目，其中包括一个二次受害者同伴支持团队。
项目参与者（N = 13）在与同伴支持团队接触前后，通过困扰量表测量他们的困扰程度。结果表明，在与二次受害者同伴支持团队成员接触后，困扰程度有统计学意义的显著降低（t12 = 16.40，P < 0.001）。
护士长处于有利地位，可以领导支持项目的开展，这些项目能增强护士和其他医护人员的恢复力及幸福感，以减轻二次受害者综合征的不利影响。
