Evaluating the impact of primary nursing practice on the quality of nursing care: a Nigerian study

This paper is abstracted from an action research project on promoting family-centred care in Nigeria through the practice of Nigerian Primary Nursing (NMPN). This article will present results of comparative evaluation of the impact of primary nursing on the quality of care received by patients in a 37-bedded acute medical-surgical, mixed sex ward in a specialist hospital in eastern Nigeria. A total of 44 nurses' interactions with 10 patients in the pre-NMPN period and 58 nurses' interactions with eight patients in the post-NMPN period were assessed using QUALPACS (Quality Patient Care Scale.). Results showed a significant improvement in the quality of nursing care with primary nursing practice. The greatest improvement in quality of nursing appeared to be in the elements that address the individual needs of the patient, while the smallest improvements were in the area of physical care - elements of routine, technical nursing care. Implications of the study and recommendations for further studies are made.