Aim: The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the degree of second victim syndrome and the desire for supports among nurses working in regional hospitals in China.
Background: The evidence on the prevalence of second victim among health care workers remains inconsistent and has rarely focused on the regional level.
Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, survey-based, online, cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,194 nurses in three regional hospitals.
Results: A total of 918 (76.88%) nurses, who reported have had experienced patient safety incidents, were selected for the final analysis. The mean score for the Chinese version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (C-SVEST) was (65.58 ± 10.05). Psychological distress (15.91 ± 2.99) and practice distress (15.26 ± 4.32) had the highest score. The mean score for the desired form of support was (4.29 ± 0.614). The option 'the opportunity to get guidance and suggestions for future work' was rated the most desired.
Conclusion: Nurses working at the regional level reported a similar degree of second victim experience and support desire, while the prevalence was much higher.
Implications for nursing management: The second victim phenomenon has become increasingly complex and challenging and deserves more attention. Not only Safety-I but also Safety-II approaches are suggested to integrated to patient safety.
Keywords: critical medical incidents; nurses; patient safety; regional level; second victims.
© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.