TABLE 3.

Differences in perception of reasons for rationing of nursing care by unit type.

Reasons for rationing of nursing care	Unit	Median	Mean a	SD	Min	Max	p b
Inadequate number of staff	Surgical	5	4.85	3.21	0	10	<0.001
	Medical	5	5.32	3.17	0	10
Inadequate number of assistive personnel	Surgical	5	4.67	3.15	0	10	<0.001
	Medical	5	5.15	3.11	0	10
Unexpected patient admission and discharge	Surgical	4	4.41	2.78	0	10	<0.001
	Medical	5	4.88	2.96	0	10
Deterioration of the condition of a patient	Surgical	3	3.61	2.53	0	10	<0.001
	Medical	4	4.41	2.73	0	10
Communication problems with doctors in the department	Surgical	3	3.00	2.50	0	10	0.0165
	Medical	2	2.93	2.63	0	10
Supplies/equipment not available when needed, or not functioning properly	Surgical	2	2.39	2.29	0	10	<0.001
	Medical	2	2.72	2.47	0	10
Inadequate hand‐off from previous shift or from other department	Surgical	2	2.23	2.05	0	10	<0.001
	Medical	2	2.70	2.35	0	10
Nursing assistant did not communicate that planned activities of nursing care were not provided	Surgical	1	2.11	2.23	0	10	<0.001
	Medical	2	2.56	2.46	0	10
Lack of cooperation and/or help from team members	Surgical	1	2.01	2.03	0	10	<0.001
	Medical	2	2.40	2.33	0	10
Communication problems within the nursing team	Surgical	1	1.93	1.97	0	10	<0.001
	Medical	2	2.33	2.29	0	10

Note: Bold values are the most significant reasons.

^a 0 – a not significant reason; 10 – the most significant reason.

^b Mann–Whitney test.