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

ABSTRACT

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