Enhancing Nursing Competency and Patients' Satisfaction Using Synergies System Implementation

Ohoud Naif Aldughmi; Taghreed Hussien Alboelola; Fatma Abdou Eltaib; Samia Khalf Mohamed Soliman; Eman Mokhtar Mohammed Gabr; Hoda Mohamed Flifel; Masouda Hassan Atrous; Soheir Mohammed Ahmed Ali

Ohoud Naif Aldughmi Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Northern Border University, Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Taghreed Hussien Alboelola Public Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Northern Border University, Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Fatma Abdou Eltaib Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Northern Border University, Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Samia Khalf Mohamed Soliman Nursing Administration, Faculty of Nursing, BUA Badr University in Assuit, Egypt

Eman Mokhtar Mohammed Gabr Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, North private College of Nursing, Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Hoda Mohamed Flifel Nursing Education Department, North Private College of Nursing, Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Masouda Hassan Atrous College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Soheir Mohammed Ahmed Ali Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Department of Nursing Administration, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

Background: Nursing competencies must be in harmony with patients' care needs for enhancing the quality of care and patient satisfaction, especially in high acuity clinical environments. Introduction The AACN Synergy System provides a systematic process of linking patient characteristics to relevant nursing competences30 but research conducted in Middle East healthcare systems is scarce. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of using the Synergy System on nursing competency and patient satisfaction in surgery intensive care units. Methods: A prepost-phase II quasi experimental study took place at Sohag University hospitals, Egypt. A nonprobability sample design was employed with the participation of 100 staff nurses and 100 hospitalized patients. Nursing competencies of the nurses were evaluated by AACN-based Nursing Competency Scale and patient satisfaction level was assessed with a structured satisfaction questionnaire. We then used paired t-test, chi-square test and Pearson correlation coefficient for statistical analysis with p<0.05 indicating significance. Results: After the Synergy System educational program, the mean±SD global competency score was increased in nurses (pre 17.6±4.2 vs post 31.8±3.9; p<0.001). The proportion of competent nurses increased from 17% before to 91% after intervention. There was also a significant increase in patient satisfaction scores (pre 62.7±2.4 vs post 124.6±3.8; p<0.001). There was a significant positive relationship between nurses and their knowledge competence after implementation (r=0.79, p<0.001). Conclusion: Implementation of the Synergy System resulted in significant improvement of nursing capability and patient's satisfaction. The introduction of this conceptual model to hospital training and competence assessment processes could enhance nursing quality and promote person-centred care results.