Identifying the Challenges of Intensive Care unit Caregiving in the Face of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented challenge for intensive care units (ICUs) compared to other clinical wards. In addition, it caused stressful conditions due to the increased mortality rates in these wards. Objectives: Since the identification of these challenges can serve as a road map for managers in future planning against crises, the present study aimed to identify the challenges of ICU caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This qualitative study used conventional content analysis and was conducted using unstructured deep interviews with an open question and several co-constructive questions in 2023. A total of 23 ward heads, head nurses, nurses of ICU wards, nursing managers, and supervisors of six teaching hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and Yazd Universities of Medical Sciences were included in the study through a purposive sampling method. Data analysis was performed with MAXQDA10 using qualitative content analysis with a conventional approach. Results: The challenges of ICUs in the COVID-19 pandemic were identified and categorized into six main categories and 14 sub-categories. The main categories included: inefficient management of resources, weaknesses in organization, challenges to laws and regulations/policies, structural challenges, weaknesses in educational processes, and mental challenges. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that it is possible to provide quality services to patients by identifying the challenges affecting the management and provision of nursing services and taking appropriate measures to improve the quality of nursing services in the intended wards.