Unfinished Nursing Care in General Medical and Surgical Units: A Systematic Review

: Background: Unfinished nursing care is a global phenomenon that has been investigated by many researchers in recent years. Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to identify the most frequently omitted aspects of nursing care and the reasons for these omissions in general medical and surgical units. Methods: We conducted a PubMed, Scopus, and Ovid search for all primary quantitative studies investigating unfinished nursing care in general medical and surgical units from 2006 to 2024. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines for systematic reviews have been followed. Results: Aspects of missed nursing care are categorized differently depending on the measuring instruments used, but it is evident that the most frequently omitted nursing interventions are those related to patients' basic needs. The main reason for these omissions is understaffing. Conclusions: Omissions in medical and surgical units have been recognized as a significant problem, compromising patients' basic care. Implications for Nursing: Quality of nursing care is negatively affected by omissions. Prioritizing basic needs of patients is strongly recommended to reduce the levels of unfinished care.