Background:

The nursing practice environment (NPE) influences the quality of care, person-centered care, and patient safety. More specifically, providing safe care includes not leaving care left undone.

Objective:

To analyze the influence of the NPE on missed care and individualized care.

Methodology:

A quantitative, descriptive, and correlational study was conducted in three inpatient wards of an oncology hospital in Portugal. Nurses’ perceptions of the NPE were assessed using the Practice Environment Scale of the Nurse Work Index. Nurses were also asked to identify types of care missed during their last shift due to lack of time. Inpatients’ perceptions of individualized care were assessed using the Individualized Care Scale Patient.

Results:

The sample consisted of 66 nurses and 40 inpatients. The overall NPE was rated as unfavorable. The ward with an environment in the favorable threshold reported less missed care. Inpatients perceived care as individualized.

Conclusion:

The identified NPE may call into question the quality of care.

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