Nurses Performance for Patient with Acute Organophosphate Poisoning

Abstract

Organophosphate (OP) compounds are agrochemical agents that have been frequently misused for deliberate self-harm in the world ,the majority of the three million pesticide related poisonings worldwide are due to OP compounds. Early identification followed by effective management in the initial stages increases the rate of survival among patients with (OP) poisoning. Aim of the study: to assess nurses' performance (knowledge, practice and attitude) for patient with acute organophosphate poisoning. Research Design: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized. Method: A convenience sample of all available nurses (50 nurses) working in four units surgical ICU, Emergency unit, poisoning ICU, and poisoning unit in Tanta university hospital. Tools three tools used in the current study: self-administrated questionnaire, observational checklist, and nurses' attitude Likert scale. Results: 70% of studied nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge and 54% had incompetent practice regarding care of patient with acute organophosphate poisoning. 84% of nurses have negative attitude regarding care of patient with acute organophosphate poisoning. Conclusion: based on the results of the current study there was statistically significant correlation between the nurses' knowledge, practice and attitude regarding care of patients with acute organophosphate poisoning Recommendation: Designing teaching program for nurses to improve nurses' knowledge, practice and attitude for care of patient with acute organophosphate poisoning. Developing simplified and comprehensive booklet including basic information about organophosphate poisoning.