Nurs Crit Care . 2026 Jan; Status Quo and Real Experience of Missed Nursing Care in ICUs

This scoping review examines the prevalence and impact of missed nursing care within intensive care units, highlighting how omitted tasks jeopardize both patient safety and the quality of clinical outcomes. By analyzing diverse research through a social-ecological lens, the authors identify that the reasons for these omissions range from individual nurse characteristics to broader institutional and public policy constraints. The study also delves into the psychological toll on practitioners, noting a complex cycle where nurses suffer an emotional burden while simultaneously achieving adaptive growth through these challenges. Ultimately, the text serves as a strategic guide for healthcare leaders to optimize staffing and improve care processes by addressing the multidimensional factors that lead to neglected medical tasks.