Perceptions of Nurses Who Are Second Victims in a Hospital Setting

Authors

Catherine A. Draus, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Therese B. Mianecki, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Hannah M. Musgrove, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Danielle J. Bastien, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Dana Greggs, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Christine Halash, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Cheryl Bellamy, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Amber Lewis, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Wendy Mackenzie, Henry Ford HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Draus C, Mianecki TB, Musgrove H, Bastien DJ, Greggs D, Halash C, Bellamy CL, Lewis A, and Mackenzie W. Perceptions of Nurses Who Are Second Victims in a Hospital Setting. J Nurs Care Qual 2021.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-12-2021

Publication Title

Journal of nursing care quality

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Second victims (SVs) are health care workers traumatized by unanticipated, adverse patient events. These experiences can have personal and professional effects on SVs. Research indicates that SVs experience inadequate support following adverse events.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of nurses who identified as SVs and their awareness and use of supportive resources.

METHODS: A convenience sample of nurses was surveyed, and SV responses were compared with those who did not identify as a SV. Responses were analyzed using nonparametric methods.

RESULTS: One hundred fifty-nine (44.3%) of 359 participants identified as SVs. There was a significant relationship between work tenure and SVs (P = .009). A relationship was found between SVs and awareness and use of support resources, with debriefing being the preferred method after an event.

CONCLUSIONS: Adverse events trigger emotional trauma in SVs who require administrative awareness, support, and follow-up to minimize psychological trauma in the clinical nurse.

PubMed ID

34775418

ePublication

ePub ahead of print