TY - JOUR
T1 - Role of Work System Barriers and Facilitators in NICU NNP Workload
T2 - 69th Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2025
AU - Alam, Lamia
AU - Daoudu, Oluseyi
AU - Williams, Julie
AU - Aziz, Khyzer
AU - Klein, Eili
AU - Myles, Ryan
AU - Patel, Ruchi
AU - Faiman, Janelle
AU - Reale, Carrie
AU - Dye, Mary E.
AU - Slagle, Jason
AU - Alrifai, Wael
AU - France, Daniel
AU - Gurses, Ayse
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2025 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
PY - 2025/9
Y1 - 2025/9
N2 - Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs) are essential in delivering complex care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), yet limited research has examined the work system factors shaping their workload. This qualitative study explored barriers and facilitators affecting NNP workload using direct observations and semi-structured interviews with 32 NNPs across two level-IV NICUs. Observational and interview data were analyzed using a situational workload framework through deductive and inductive coding. Key barriers included competing task demands, lack of coordination, frequent interruptions, limited ancillary support, staff shortages, and high or shifting patient acuity. Facilitators that helped mitigate workload included strong rapport with attending physicians and fellows, supportive coworkers, experienced nurses, effective task delegation, and adequate support staff (e.g., pharmacists, nutritionists). The study highlights how work system factors dynamically influence NNP workload.
AB - Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs) are essential in delivering complex care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), yet limited research has examined the work system factors shaping their workload. This qualitative study explored barriers and facilitators affecting NNP workload using direct observations and semi-structured interviews with 32 NNPs across two level-IV NICUs. Observational and interview data were analyzed using a situational workload framework through deductive and inductive coding. Key barriers included competing task demands, lack of coordination, frequent interruptions, limited ancillary support, staff shortages, and high or shifting patient acuity. Facilitators that helped mitigate workload included strong rapport with attending physicians and fellows, supportive coworkers, experienced nurses, effective task delegation, and adequate support staff (e.g., pharmacists, nutritionists). The study highlights how work system factors dynamically influence NNP workload.
KW - heath system engineering
KW - patient safety
KW - workflow optimization
KW - workload management
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105031719014
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105031719014#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1177/10711813251369378
DO - 10.1177/10711813251369378
M3 - Conference article
AN - SCOPUS:105031719014
SN - 1071-1813
VL - 69
SP - 466
EP - 469
JO - Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
JF - Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
IS - 1
Y2 - 13 October 2025 through 17 October 2025
ER -