An Assessment of Wound Dressing by Nursing Personnel at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (O.O.U.T.H.) Shagamu; Ogun State; Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Introduction: A variety of effects may result in the occurrence of a wound which may result in immediate loss of all or part of organ functioning; sympathetic stress response; hemorrhage and blood clotting; bacterial contamination and death of cells. Careful asepsis is the most important factor in keeping these effects to a minimum and promoting the successful care of wounds which is dependent on the nurse's knowledge and understanding of normal wound healing physiology; method of closure and the optimal treatment of the wound and with this knowledge; nurses can provide a systematic and holistic patient assessment; and consider any potential wound related complications (Vuolo JC 2006). Aim: This investigation aimed to assess wound dressing performances among nursing personnel in the three surgical wards of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (O.O.U.T.H.) Shagamu Ogun State Nigeria.Methodology:The investigators utilized the descriptive method of research. A total of sixty nursing personnel in the male; female; and paediatric surgical wards were randomly selected for the investigation. Performance of wound dressing was assessed through an investigators formulated questionnaire and evaluation checklist based on the concept of sterile wound dressing technique.Results: Nurses have a very good performance of wound dressing as they applied the concepts/principles of sterile technique in the performance of the procedure. There was no significant difference between nurses in the performance of wound dressing and their demographic variables such as age; gender; religion; and educational qualification. However; significant difference was found between length of clinical experience and practice of wound dressing.Conclusion: Findings suggests a relationship between length of clinical experience and practice of good wound dressing. Hence regular seminars on wound dressing should be organized to refresh nurses and keep them up to date in nursing practice