Nursing Peer Review Perceptions and Practices: A Survey of Chief Nurse Executives.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to understand chief nurse executive perceptions of nursing peer review (NPR) and current NPR practices in their organizations to provide insights and recommendations for the path forward to a robust NPR approach nationally.


BACKGROUND
Nursing peer review is a key component of professional nursing practice focused on self-regulation and improving quality and safety. Despite its known benefits, NPR is not broadly disseminated, and how it is currently used and perceived is not well understood.


METHODS
A causal-comparison study design was used. A 25-question, Web-based survey was administered to collect data variables.


RESULTS
Chief nurse executives perceived NPR as important in improving quality and safety; however, its prevalence was low. Chief nurse executives also reported NPR practices not aligned with the American Nurses Association (ANA) NPR guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that knowledge gaps exist regarding NPR's purpose, outcomes, and alignment with the ANA peer review guidelines. Interventions are needed to address these gaps to further advance NPR adoption nationally.
Author Affiliations: Surgical, Orthopaedics & Neurosciences, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston (Dr Whitney); Nursing Consulting Partners, Whitefish Bay, WI (Dr Haag-Heitman); MGH Institute of Health Professions, Charlestown (Dr Chisholm); and Organization of Nurse Leaders of MA, RI & NH, Woburn, MA (Ms Gale).
Kevin
K
Whitney
Barbara
B
Haag-Heitman
Margery
M
Chisholm
Sharon
S
Gale
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D018024:Peer Review, Health Care; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses' / Q000592:standards*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000592:standards*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*