INFORMATION AND PRACTICES ABOUT ENDOTRACHEAL SUCTIONING: EFFECT ON NURSES KNOWLEDGE AND ON ARTERIAL BLOOD GASES OF HEAD INJURED PATIENTS , ASSIUT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Aim of the work: The aim of this study is to asses nurse's original knowledge and practices as regards endotracheal suctioning. provide the nurses with needed information and practices, reev?!uate the provided knowledge and pn1ctices through post-tests and assess the patient's chest condition, vital signs, arterial blood gases and Signs of intra-cranial pressure in response to suction. inl'..

Study Hypotheses: I. Mean knowledge scores obtained by nurses alier receiving an information about endotracheal suction will be higher than their pre-information mean kiio1vlcdge scores. 7 The mean post practices scores obtained by nurses after applicatiq_n of an endotracheal suctioning will be higher than their pre practice mean scores. 3. There will be positve correlation between knowledge and practice scores obtained •by nurses as regards endotrache.al suctioning. 4. Arterial blood gas values of patients cared by nurses who recived the infl•omation about tracheal suctioning will be better compared to• those patients looked after by nurses who did not receive the information.

Ma ter•ial & Methods: Aqusi-experiemental research design was adopted to conduct the study on 30 nurses working in trauma ICU of Assiut University hiospital, in addition to 60 patients admitted to this unit. Three tools were used for data collection; Questionair sheet, observation checklist and patient's assessment sheet. The educational information was adopted to provide nurses' knowledge and practice as regard endotracheal suctioning.

Results: There were significant improvement in nurses' knowledge and practices scores (P < 0.05- P < 0:0 J.:c• P < 0.00 I) <iller givi1ig the i1ifonnation. The information given to nurses regarding endotracheal suctioning resulted in abetter performance as evidenced by asigniticant decrease in the incidence of wheezes. Secretions after suctioning in the 2"d set of patients (tested after giving infrmation) compared to the !''set ( .;sted before giving information).

Conclusions: Continued nursing education I{H• enrichment of nurses• knowledge and practices as regards tracheal suctioning to was found to have a signiticant impact in reduction of the complications of this procedures.