Management of Patients’ and Nurses’ vulnerability to acute illness in Emergency Units

Abstract

Background: Managing acute illnesses in emergency units poses significant challenges to nurses, compromising their health and well-being. Aims: This mixed-method study assessed the management pattern of patients with acute illnesses and nurses’ vulnerability in two Nigerian teaching hospitals. Methods: A convergent parallel study design was used, involving 92 nurses from emergency units. A three-section questionnaire research instrument adopting a cross sectional survey type was used to collect quantitative data, and an in-depth interview schedule for qualitative data. Descriptive statistical analysis was done on quantitative data, and thematic analysis using inferential statistics, at α = 0.05, was used for qualitative data analysis using IBM SPSS version 27. Results: Results showed that 48.9% of nurses were highly vulnerable, citing understaffing, poor infrastructure, and lack of institutional support as factors responsible for nurses’ vulnerability. Coping strategies included time off duty (mean=3.27) and talking to colleagues (mean=3.27). Nurses faced intense physical, emotional, and social challenges, leading to stress and burnout. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is a significant association between management patterns and nurse vulnerability (p<0.05). This implies that nurses working in the emergency units are vulnerable to various physical, emotional, and mental stress. Institutional support is limited, with few structured interventions. The study recommends urgent institutional reforms, including better staffing, equipment, and wellness programs, to support nurses in emergency units.