Effect of Educational Program on Nurses knowledge & Practice towards Patients with Implantable Port Catheter

Abstract

Implantable port catheter device is a small reservoir connected to a venous catheter and positioned in the subcutaneous tissues. It was first uses in oncologic patients in the early 1980s. Currently, the device has become an integral part of daily clinical routine. Nurse's who are knowledgeable and competent in the basic aspects of port-a-cath care able to ensure specific patient needs are met and prevent further complications, so implementing educational program on nurses' caring for patients with implantable port catheter is very important to prevent complications such as port occlusion, displacement of the port catheter, bleeding & infection. Aim of the study: Assess the effect of educational program on nurses’ knowledge and practice toward patients with implantable port catheter. Study design: A quasi-experimental design with pre, post assessment. Setting: This study was conducted at the Radiotherapy oncology and nuclear Medicine center (outpatients' clinic) affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospital .Subjects: a convenient sample of all available nurses working in the previous mentioned setting (30 nurses). Procedure: data were collected using two tools as follow: 1-self administered nurses' questionnaire, 2- nurses’ observational checklists for accessing/de-accessing, flushing, and removal of the non-coring safety needle of implanted port catheter. The researcher developed and implemented a training program to participants. Results: there were highly statistically significant differences regarding nurses’ knowledge & practice pre and post educational program at p<0.001. Conclusion: Educational program has statistically significant effect on knowledge and practice of nurses' knowledge and practice toward patients with implantable port catheter. Recommendations: Continuous educational sessions and awareness to the staff helps to improve nurses’ knowledge and practice for Port-A-Catheter.