Nurses' Performance for Patient Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Context: Bariatric surgery is currently considered the most effective treatment option for morbid obesity; it results in more significant improvement in weight loss outcomes and obesity-related co-morbidities when compared with non-surgical interventions. The performance of bariatric nurses is very relevant for the quality and outcome of surgery. Aim: The study aimed to assess nurses' performance for a patient undergoing bariatric surgery. Methods: A descriptive exploratory design was followed to achieve the aim of this study. The study was conducted at surgical units at Ain Shams University hospital Cairo-Egypt. A purposive sample of 30 nurses recruited in this study worked in bariatric surgery units at Ain Shams University hospital. Tools of data collection were structured self-administered knowledge assessment questionnaire and evaluation practice checklist used to collect data of this study. Results: This study showed that 73.3% of studied nurses had inadequate knowledge, and 70.0% had poor practice regarding managing the patient undergoing bariatric surgery. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant correlation between total knowledge and total practice of the studied nurses. Conclusion: The current study concluded that more than two-thirds of the studied nurses had a reduced level of knowledge and practice. The study emphasized implementing an educational training program to improve nurses' performance regarding caring for bariatric surgery patients.