Positioning and Early Mobilization: Effect of Educational Guidelines on Nurses’ performance and Stroke Patients’ Outcome

Abstract

Abstract: Keeping the immobilized patient after stroke in the proper positions in bed and early mobilization remain important issues in a nursing care which are likely to lead to better patients’ outcomes. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess and evaluate the effect of educational guidelines intervention regarding positioning and early mobilization on nurses’ performance and stroke patients’ outcome. Subjects and Methods: Design: A quasi experimental design was used. Setting: The study was conducted in Neurocritical Intensive Care Unit, Stroke Unit and General Intensive Care Unit at Bab Elsheria Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample of 50 nurses and two purposive samples of stroke patients (25 patients were taken pre-guidelines intervention and 25 patients were postguidelines intervention). Tools for data collection: A Self-administered structured Questionnaire, observational checklist and Patient assessment sheet. Results: There was a statistically significance differences between pre & post guidelines intervention regarding knowledge, practice and attitude of the studied nurses regarding positioning and early mobilization of stroke patients. While, there was no statistically significant difference between pre & post guidelines implementation regarding the stroke patients’ outcome. Conclusions: Educational guidelines were helpful on the improvement of the nurses' knowledge, practice and attitude regarding positioning and early mobilization of stroke patients. Recommendations: Periodic in service – training programs regarding positioning and early mobilization of stroke patients based on best practice guidelines for nurses caring for the stroke patients.