Affiliation:
1. Nurse Practitioner (Critical Care), Panna Dhai Maa Subharti Nursing College, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
2. Professor (MSN Department), Panna Dhai Maa Subharti Nursing College, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
Background:There is a major need to improve the knowledge and practice of critical care nurses in India regarding central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), which is a serious potential complication of total parenteral nutrition (TPN).Objectives:To develop and validate a skills competency programme; assess knowledge and practice of critical care nurses regarding prevention of CLABSI due to TPN administration; evaluate the effectiveness of the programme; find correlation between knowledge and practice scores.Design:Quasi-experimental: non-equivalent pre-test post-test design.Settings:Two hospitals in Meerut, India.Participants:80 nurses (40 in the control group in one hospital, 40 in the experimental group in another hospital). Inclusion criteria: staff nurses from critical care units only, who were present at the time of data collection and willing to participate. Exclusion criteria: staff nurses with <6 months' work experience.Method:Knowledge was assessed using a structured knowledge questionnaire and interpretation scoring. To assess practice, the OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) method was used with four stations and interpretation scoring. The skills-competency programme was delivered to the experimental group only. The post test was conducted with both groups.Results:The post-test knowledge and practice scores in the control group were: mean=12.55; SD=2.57 and mean=21.82; SD= 5.13 respectively. In the experimental group, the post-test knowledge and practice scores were: mean=23.75; SD=1.75 and mean=38.9; SD=2.02 respectively. The unpaired t-test in post-test knowledge between the control and experimental groups was t=22.78, with P=0.0001 at df 39, 0.05 level of significance, 95% CI; for post-test practice the results were, t=19.59, with P=0.0001 at df 39, 0.05 level of significance, 95% CI. Correlation between post-test knowledge and the practice score was r=0.7 (P<0.05), 95% CI.Conclusion:There was a significant difference in post-test knowledge and practice scores, therefore, the skills competency programme was effective. It also highlighted areas that institutions should focus on for effective training and professional development programmes.