“Care left undone” and quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Influential factors and modulating strategies()

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the quality of care provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying what care has been prioritized and factors that have influenced such care. BACKGROUND: Given the need to adapt care due to the pandemic, nurses may have been subjected to factors that have negatively affected them, however it has also been possible to find actions that have enabled nurses to maintain the quality of care provided. METHOD: Exploratory study with a sample of 225 nurses. Data collection was performed using a self-assessment of the care provided, the ‘Care Left Undone’ Scale, and ad hoc questionnaire for demographic variables. RESULTS: The mean rate of missed care was 5.76. Significant differences were identified according to age, professional experience, field of specialty and personal and professional strategies. CONCLUSION: Both personal and professional feelings, characteristics, and strategies have an effect in the perception of quality of care provided and missed care during the pandemic.