Interventions to support nurses as second victims of patient safety incidents: A qualitative study of nurse managers' perceptions

AimsTo describe nurse managers' perceptions of interventions to support nurses as second victims of patient safety incidents and to describe the management of interventions and ways to improve them.DesignA qualitative study using interviews.MethodsA purposive sample of nurse managers (n = 16) recruited from three hospital districts in Finland was interviewed in 2021. The data were analysed using elements of inductive and deductive content analysis.ResultsThe study identified three main categories: (1) Management of second victim support, which contained three sub-categories related to the nurse manager's role, support received by the nurse manager and challenges of support management; (2) interventions to support second victims included existing interventions and operating models; and (3) improving second victim support, based on the sub-categories developing practices and developing an open and non-blaming patient safety culture.ConclusionNurse managers play a crucial role in supporting nurses as second victims of patient safety incidents and coordinating additional support. Operating models for managing interventions could facilitate nurse managers' work and ensure adequate support for second victims. The support could be improved by increasing the awareness of the second victim phenomenon.Implications for the Profession and Patient CareMitigating the harmful effects of patient safety incidents can improve nurses' well-being, reduce burden and attrition risks and positively impact patient safety.ImpactIncreasing awareness of the second victim phenomenon and coherent operation models would provide equal support for the nurses and facilitate nurse managers' work.Reporting MethodCOREQ checklist was used.What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?Nurse managers' role is significant in supporting the second victims and coordinating additional support.Awareness of the second victim phenomenon and coherent operating models can secure adequate support for the nurses and facilitate nurse managers' work.Reporting MethodCOREQ checklist was used.What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?Nurse managers' role is significant in supporting the second victims and coordinating additional support.Awareness of the second victim phenomenon and coherent operating models can secure adequate support for the nurses and facilitate nurse managers' work.