Enhancing nurses ' competency to maintain technologic devices at critical care units

The danger in critical care units technology and unplanned device removal presents a different life threatening scenario and tremendous burden for the nurses. Maintaining technologic access was the core problem identified in this study. This study aims to assess the enhancing nurses competency to maintain technologic devices at critical care units. A quasi experimental design was used. This study was carried out at critical care units of El-Demerdash Hospital [General Surgery] and Children hospital, affiliated to Ain Shams University. A purposive sample composed of 65 nurses, 25 were caring for children and rest of them 40 were caring for adults, and 45 critically ill patients [28 adult and 17 children] added to 22 physician from the above mentioned settings. Tools: 1] Self administered questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge [pre/post tests], 2] An observation checklist to assess nurses practice [pre/post tests], 3] Patients assessment sheet [pre/post tests], and 4] Opinnionair sheet for physicians and nurses [pre test]. There are statistically significant differences between nurses' knowledge and practice in pre/post tests regarding to technologic devices maintenance at critical care units, added to significant reduction in the percentage of removing technologic devices among the studied patients in post tests. Enhancing nurses' competency through training program was helpful to maintain technologic devices at critical care units . Educational program should be held periodically for critical care nurses about technologic device maintenance. Further studies should be done to assess the long term effects of such program on patient's quality of life at the critical care units

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: effect of intervention guidelines on knowledge and practices of patients with chronic wounds

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy [HBOT] is an important adjunct in the management of wound problems, which exist in chronic oxygen deficiency and in which the local oxygen tension is below optimal of healing. This study aims to evaluate the effect of HBOT intervention guidelines on knowledge and practices of patients with chronic wounds. A quasi experimental design was used. This study was conducted at the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit, affiliated to Naser Institute Hospital. A purposive sample included 40 adult patients with chronic wounds [Diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers and pressure ulcers]. 1] Patients' interviewing questionnaire sheet to assess patients' knowledge [pre/post tests], 2] An observation checklist to evaluate patient's practices [pre/post tests], 3] Anxiety Rating Scale to determine patients' anxiety level [pre/post tests], 4] Developed guidelines, 5] Patient condition assessment: wound symptoms chart to assess symptoms experienced by the patients, and wound assessment parameter scoring tool to assess wound healing [pre/post treatment]. There is a lack of knowledge and practices among the study sample. Statistically significant differences were also found between pre/post guidelines regarding to their knowledge and practices in relation to HBOT. In addition, patients had a higher level of anxiety in the pre test, while it decreased in post tests. The HBOT intervention guidelines were helpful on the improvement of knowledge and practices of the patients with chronic wounds. There is a need for sustained patients' educational sessions, HBOT should be available for all patients with chronic wounds. Further studies should be done on a large number of subjects for evidence of results and generalization