assessment of nurses performance for patients on mechanical ventilation

Abstract

Many patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) require airway maintenance and mechanical ventilator support. The care of patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) are complex and require skill and experience so it is important that all qualified nurses working in critical care environments understand the indications, the modes, the most common associated complications and the nursing care for patients on MV. The aim of this study was to assess the nurses’ performance for caring of patients on mechanical ventilation. Design: A descriptive study was used. Setting: The study was conducted at Intensive Care Unit at El-Basher Governmental Jordan Hospital. Study subjects: A convenience sample of all available nurses (no=40) were included in this study. Data collection tools: An interview questionnaire sheet and nurses’ performance observational checklist. Results: most of the studied nurses at ICU had unsatisfactory knowledge and practice regarding caring of patients on MV (82.5%, 85.0%) respectively, there was statistically significant relation between nurses’ knowledge & their demographic characteristics; academic qualification, attendance of training course (X2=10.3 & 3.8 respectively at p<0.05) & years of experience(X2=11.8 at p< 0.01) except (age& gender X2=2.3 & 1.9 respectively at p>0.05). Furthermore, there was statistically significant relation between nurses’ practice & their demographic characteristics; years of experience & attendance of training course (X2= 7.4 & 5.2 respectively at p< 0.05) & academic qualification(X2=12.2 at p<0.01), except (age& gender X2= 0.5 & 0.6 respectively at p>0.05) Conclusion: Based on the study finding, most of the studied nurses at ICU had unsatisfactory performance (knowledge and practice) regarding caring of patients on MV. Recommendations: This study recommends the importance of in-service training courses to enhance the nurses’ knowledge and practice and to avoid complications among patients on MV.