Nurses’ Performance Regarding Hygienic Measures for Bedridden Patients: Suggested Guideline

Abstract

Background: Bedridden patient is liable to a serious life-threatening complications that results in a high morbidity and mortality. Hygienic measures are very important during initial period to achieve best possible outcome and good prognosis. Nurses imust iunderstand ithe iimmediate and long-term imanagement iof bedridden patients ito iprovide isafe iand icompetent patient’s care. Aim: This study aimed to assess nurse's performance regarding hygienic measures for bedridden patients. Design : A descriptive exploratory design was utilized for the conduction of this study. Setting : The study was carried out in internal medical and orthopedic units at Sohag Educational Hospital, which is affiliated to the general organization of the Ministry of Health and Population. Study sample: A convenience sample of all the available staff nurses (50) working in the pre mentioned units. Tools: Three tools were used in this study; nurses' self-administered questionnaire, nurses’ practice observational checklist and nurses' attitude questionnaire. Results: The results of this study showed that, 76% of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory total level of knowledge, 82% of studied subjects had unsatisfactory total level of practice and 54% had negative attitude regarding hygienic measures for bedridden patients. Conclusion: The current study concluded that, majority of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge, practice and atitude. Also, there is statistically significance relation between nurses' knowledge, practice, attitude and demographic characteristics. Recommendations: A simplified and comprehensive booklet and procedure book should be designed including guidelines about basic information and skills regarding hygienic measures for bedridden patients.