title: Quality nursing care as perceived by nurses and patients in a Chinese hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore and compare nurses and patients perceptions of quality nursing care.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  It is important to measure both nurses and patients perceptions of quality nursing care. To date, however, no study on nurses' perceptions of quality nursing care has been conducted specifically in the Chinese setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive, comparative study with 221 nurses and 383 patients in 18 non-ICU inpatient nursing units.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected using the Perception of Quality Nursing Care Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the overall mean score and each category mean score, as perceived by nurses and patients, were high. There was a statistically significant difference between nurses' and patients' perceptions of quality nursing care based on the following categories: staff characteristics, care-related activities and progress of nursing process. However, similarities in perception have also been identified in some categories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate that nurses and patients had differing views of quality nursing care, because they may have had different standards and ways in which they viewed these characteristics of care. Improvements are needed regarding certain aspects of patient information and support for patients' psychological needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is a challenge to nurses when taking collaborative action to meet patients' expectations and needs, however, it will move nursing practice in Chinese hospitals forward.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery I, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Hei Longjiang, China. zhaoshihong1973@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Shi Hong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Thitinut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akkadechanunt
authors.forename: Xiu Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Xue