Relationship between Ethical Climate and Missed Nursing Care from the Point of View of Patients with Cancer and Nurses Working in Oncology Wards of Zanjan and Rasht Cities

Background & aim:  The high quality of nursing care for cancer patients is a shared priority for health policymakers. Two important influencing variables on the quality of nursing care are the ethics climate governing hospitals and missed nursing care. This study aimed to determine the relationship between ethical climates and missed nursing care in centers providing services to cancer patients in Rasht and Zanjan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019. The participants were 360 patients with cancer and 84 nurses working in the oncology wards of Rasht and Zanjan, who were included in the study using the Poisson distribution sampling method. The data collection tools were two standard scales; the Miss Care survey and Ethical Climate Questionnaire, and two demographic forms specific to patients and nurses. SPSS version 16 statistical software and independent t-tests, and Pearson's correlation were used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that the dominant ethical climate in the mentioned care units was professional and law-oriented, and the independent ethical climate was at the bottom. The mean score of missed nursing care is 1.95±0.40 out of 5. According to the Pearson correlation test, there was a significant negative relationship between ethical climate and missed nursing care in cancer care units (r=-0.422, p<0.001). Conclusion: A negative and significant relationship between the ethical climate and missed nursing care showed that nurses' correct perception of the ethical climate reduces missed nursing care. It seems that the nursing care quality can be improved by preparing and setting up care guidelines, rules and clear care instructions.