Risk factors for converting traditional wards to temporary intensive care units during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Insights from nurses' perspectives
Authors: Li Wenyu , Lin Xiuli , Fang Zhenhong , Fang Xufei , Zheng Xiuyun , Tu Wenyu , Feng Xiaofang 
Published: June 2024

Background

The surge in critically ill COVID‐19 patients caused a shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds. Some hospitals temporarily transformed general wards into ICUs to meet this pressing health care demand.

Aim

This study aims to evaluate and analyse the risk factors in temporary ICU from the perspective of nurses. By identifying these factors, the goal is to provide actionable insights and recommendations for effectively establishing and managing temporary ICUs in similar crisis scenarios in the future.

Study Design

The study was conducted in China within a public hospital. Specifically, it focused on examining 62 nurses working in a temporary ICU that was converted from an infectious disease ward. The research utilized the Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) scoring method to identify potential threats, evaluate their probability, estimate their impact on specific organizations or regions and calculate the relative risk associated with such occurrences.

Results

Staff demonstrated the highest risk percentage (32.74%), with Stuff (16.11%), Space (15.19%) and System (11.30%) following suit. The most critical risk factors included insufficient knowledge and decision‐making competence in critical care (56.14%), lacking decision‐making abilities and skills in renal replacement therapy care (55.37%), inadequate decision‐making capacity and relevant skills in respiratory support care (50.64%), limited decision‐making capability in circulatory support care (45.73%) and unfamiliarity with work procedures or systems (42.09%).

Conclusions

Urgent implementation of tailored training and support for temporary ICU nurses is paramount. Addressing capability and skill‐related issues among these nurses supersedes resource availability, infrastructure, equipment and system considerations. Essential interventions must target challenges encompassing nurses' inability to perform critical treatment techniques autonomously and ensure standardized care. These measures are designed to heighten patient safety and elevate care quality during emergencies. These findings offer a viable avenue to mitigate potential moral distress, anxiety and depression among nurses, particularly those transitioning from non‐critical care backgrounds. These nurses swiftly assimilate into temporary ICUs, and the study's insights offer practical guidance to alleviate their specific challenges.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The study on risk factors for converting traditional wards into temporary ICU during the COVID‐19 pandemic, especially from the perspective of nurses, provides crucial insights into the challenges and requirements for effectively establishing and managing these emergency settings. The findings highlight several key areas of concern and opportunities for improvement directly related to clinical practice, particularly in situations where there is a rapid need to adapt to increased demands for critical care. By addressing the identified risk factors through enhanced training, support systems, resource management, process improvements and cultivating a culture of adaptability, not only can the quality of care in temporary ICUs be improved, but also can the health care system be better prepared for future emergencies. These actions will help mitigate the risks associated with such conversions, ultimately benefiting patient safety, staff well‐being and the overall effectiveness of health care services in crises.