Purpose: The European Cancer Nursing Index (ECNI) 2022 survey identified critical challenges in cancer nursing across Europe. One part of the survey, presented here, aimed at describing European cancer nursing staffing and exploring factors associated with bed closures and cancer treatment delays due to nursing shortages. Methods: A secondary analysis of the European Cancer Nursing Index 2022 dataset was conducted, including responses from 436 cancer nurses across 29 European countries. Two multivariable logistic regression models were performed to assess the association between workforce-related variables and (1) bed closures and (2) delays in cancer treatment. Independent variables included nurse-to-patient ratio, advanced cancer nursing roles, inpatient setting, preparation of hazardous drugs, and nurse-led care. Results: Nearly 18 % (n = 80) of respondents reported bed closures and treatment delays in the previous year due to nursing shortages. Logistic regression showed that nurses preparing hazardous drugs at their workplaces, rather than at a pharmacy/lab, were over twice as likely to report treatment delays (OR = 2.16, 95 % CI: 1.24-3.82, p = 0.007). Moreover, each additional patient per nurse increased the likelihood of reporting cancer treatment delay by 9 % (OR = 1.09, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.17, p = 0.026). Conclusions: Findings highlight the impact of excessive workload and unsafe drug preparation practices on timely cancer care delivery. Centralizing hazardous drug preparation and optimizing staffing may reduce delays and improve patient safety. Further research is needed to understand systemic factors behind bed closures and to inform workforce planning strategies across oncology settings.
Factors impacting closure of beds and delays in cancer treatment: Insights from the European Cancer Nursing Index 2022 survey
Catania G.;Di Nitto M.;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Purpose: The European Cancer Nursing Index (ECNI) 2022 survey identified critical challenges in cancer nursing across Europe. One part of the survey, presented here, aimed at describing European cancer nursing staffing and exploring factors associated with bed closures and cancer treatment delays due to nursing shortages. Methods: A secondary analysis of the European Cancer Nursing Index 2022 dataset was conducted, including responses from 436 cancer nurses across 29 European countries. Two multivariable logistic regression models were performed to assess the association between workforce-related variables and (1) bed closures and (2) delays in cancer treatment. Independent variables included nurse-to-patient ratio, advanced cancer nursing roles, inpatient setting, preparation of hazardous drugs, and nurse-led care. Results: Nearly 18 % (n = 80) of respondents reported bed closures and treatment delays in the previous year due to nursing shortages. Logistic regression showed that nurses preparing hazardous drugs at their workplaces, rather than at a pharmacy/lab, were over twice as likely to report treatment delays (OR = 2.16, 95 % CI: 1.24-3.82, p = 0.007). Moreover, each additional patient per nurse increased the likelihood of reporting cancer treatment delay by 9 % (OR = 1.09, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.17, p = 0.026). Conclusions: Findings highlight the impact of excessive workload and unsafe drug preparation practices on timely cancer care delivery. Centralizing hazardous drug preparation and optimizing staffing may reduce delays and improve patient safety. Further research is needed to understand systemic factors behind bed closures and to inform workforce planning strategies across oncology settings.
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