Mitigating the impact of the challenges of shortages of nurses and patient care equipment during crises: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND

Despite the existence of various crisis management frameworks in hospitals, challenges related to the shortages of nurses and patient care equipment continue to plague health centers. The occurrence of unpredictable and new events in any crisis can make implementing the recommended solutions in the framework challenging. This study aimed to explain the solutions to mitigate the impact of the challenges of shortages of nurses and patient care equipment at the moment of crisis to complete or redesign crisis management frameworks to make them more effective.

METHOD

In this qualitative study, which was conducted with the content analysis method in 2024, participants were selected via purposive sampling. The data were collected via semi-structured individual in-depth interviews. All interviews were recorded and transcribed and then inductively analyzed via the constant comparison method and the Graneheim and Lundman method.

RESULTS

Data analysis revealed that there are numerous practical opportunities among the threats and limitations of the crisis, some of which have been ignored even in crisis management frameworks. Therefore, the main theme of the data is employing opportunities. Solutions for employing opportunities were also identified in four subcategories, including completing team (including conscientious encouragement, volunteer nurses motivated by seeking God's satisfaction, and invitations), maintaining team integrity (including preventing physical exhaustion and preventing soul exhaustion), overcoming equipment bottlenecks (including the formation of logistics headquarters, nurse initiatives, and nurse sacrifices) and increasing hospitalization spaces (including freeing occupied spaces and annexation of other spaces).

CONCLUSION

Given that the solutions identified in the present study are the result of the participants' experiences, their applicability in crisis management is undeniable. Therefore, by paying attention to the identified solutions, more effective crisis management programs and frameworks can be developed.