An evaluation of the implementation of a best practice guideline on tracheal suctioning in intensive care units

Clinical practice guideline on the prevention and management of neonatal extravasation injury: a before-and-after study design

Background

Extravasation injury resulting from intravenous therapies delivered via peripheral intravenous catheters or umbilical and peripherally inserted central venous catheters is a common iatrogenic complication occurring in neonatal intensive care units. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based clinical practice guideline in the prevention and management of neonatal extravasation injury by nurses.

Methods

A controlled before-and-after study was conducted in a neonatal unit. The clinical practice guideline was developed, and a multifaceted educational program was delivered to nurses. Neonatal outcomes, including the rates of peripheral intravenous extravasation and extravasation from a central line, were collected at the pre- and post-intervention periods. Post-intervention data for nurses, including the nurses’ level of knowledge and adherence, were collected at six months after the program.

Results

104 and 109 neonates were recruited in the pre-intervention period (control) and the post-intervention period (intervention), respectively. The extravasation rate before and after the intervention was 14.04 and 2.90 per 1,000 peripheral intravenous catheters days, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio of peripheral intravenous extravasation post-intervention compared with that of pre-intervention was 0.20 (95% confidence interval: 0.05–0.74; p = 0.02) after adjusting for peripheral intravenous catheter days. The extravasation from a central line rate of the control and intervention groups post-intervention was 4.94 and zero per 1,000 central venous catheter days, respectively. Fifty-nine registered nurses were recruited. At six months post-program, there were significant improvements in the nurses’ level of knowledge and adherence.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the implementation of an evidence-based clinical practice guideline significantly reduced the rate of peripheral intravenous extravasation and extravasation from a central line in neonates. However, to maintain nurses’ knowledge and adherence to the evidence-based practice, the educational program will have to be conducted periodically and incorporated into the nurses’ induction program.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifiers: NCT04321447. Registered 20 March 2020 - Retrospectively registered.

Performance of ICU Nurses in Providing Respiratory Care

BACKGROUND

Failure to provide proper respiratory care leads to incidence of certain complications such as ventilator-associated pneumonia. Nurses have a crucial role in providing this care. The aim of this study is to assess the performance of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) nurses in providing respiratory care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 120 nurses working in selected hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences from March to August 2016. The questionnaire used included demographic and employment details and performance observation checklist (containing 39 items in four care domains) based on recommendations in clinical guidelines. The performance of each nurse during a working shift was observed. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18, using tables of frequency, mean, and standard deviation.

RESULTS

According to the results obtained, mean (SD) total performance score of nurses in providing respiratory care was 15.46 (2.16). The highest score was obtained in preventing contamination of respiratory equipment 5 (0), and the lowest score was in oral care 0.68 (0.73).

CONCLUSIONS

Considering that respiratory care is one of the main pillars of patient care in ICU and that nurses scored poorly in this area, it is imperative to pay greater attention to this area. It is essential to provide necessary training to nurses and adequate facilities for improving the quality of clinical care.