Nurses' Performance regarding Management of Patients with Chest Infection in Neuro-Critical Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction Chest infection is a serious lung infection. It affects up to as many as one-third of patients in neuro-critical units. This increases the morbidity and mortality of those patient populations. The aim of this study was to assess the nurses' performance regarding caring for patients with chest infection in neuro –critical unit. Design: A descriptive study. Setting: The study was conducted in the neuro-critical care units (NCC) at Bab Elsheria Governmental Hospital (Alazher University). Study subjects: A convenience sample of nurses (No=50). Data collection tools: Nurses' self-administered questionnaire and observational checklists of management of chest infection. Results: Approximately 48% of the studied nurses had satisfactory level, while (52%) of them had unsatisfactory level about total knowledge regarding nurses’ management of chest infection and (42%) of studied nurses had satisfactory level, while (58%) of them had unsatisfactory level regarding total practice about chest infection, there was no statistically significant relation between total knowledge and total practice. Conclusion: Based on the study findings, most of the studied nurses at Neuro critical –care unit had unsatisfactory level of performance (Knowledge & Practice) regarding management of patients with chest infection in Neuro-critical care unit. Recommendations: Further studies were recommended to evaluate the reflection of in-service training program regarding caring of patients with chest infection in NCC units on nurses' performance and consequently on the patients' outcome. Keywords: Chest Infection, Nurses' performance, Neuro-Critical Care Unit.