Effect of Educational Guidelines on Nurses' Knowledge and Practice regarding Arterial Line Monitoring

Abstract

The arterial catheter is one of the most common monitoring tools available in the intensive care unit. However, as an invasive device it has the potential to cause complications, especially when managed by inexperienced staff. When successfully managed, it can facilitate the high-level of care needed by the critically ill Patient. Nurses should be competent in the management of arterial lines and aware of potential problems where a high level of the safety and accuracy of arterial monitoring is required. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess and evaluate the effect of educational nursing guidelines on nurses' knowledge and practice in Intensive Care Unit regarding arterial line monitoring. Subjects and Methods: Design: A quasi experimental design was used. Setting: This study was conducted in Cardio-thoracic Intensive Care Unit at Ain Shams University Hospital and General Surgery Intensive Care Unit at El - Demerdash Hospital. Sample: A convenience sample included 27 intensive care nurses. Tools for data collection: A Self administered structured arterial line Questionnaire and arterial line observational checklists. Results: There were highly statistically significance differences regarding knowledge and practice of the studied nurses regarding arterial line monitoring between pre and post guidelines implementation. Regarding follow-up, there was a slight decrease in the percentage of satisfactory level of knowledge and practice than post- guidelines implementation. Conclusions: The educational guidelines were helpful on improvement of the nurses' knowledge and practices regarding arterial line monitoring. Recommendations: Periodic in service – training advanced care programs based on best practice guidelines regarding arterial line for nurses working in intensive care unit