Paper: Evaluation of an Educational Intervention on the Care of Patient with Late Vasospasm Post Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) (20th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice)

Tuesday, 14 July 2009

Analyn Patag, RN, BSN
Mary Grace Lanceta, RN, BSN, MSN/MHA
Trauma/Neurosurgery Unit, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

Learning Objective 1: contribute the benefits of the growing knowledge of significant research outcomes.

Learning Objective 2: integrate research findings and clinical practice to other health care settings globally.

^{Purpose: The research process and outcomes have benefited clinicians in transforming their knowledge into useful measures in delivering safety patient care. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention delivered to Trauma/Neurosurgery nurses’ at St. Michael’s Hospital on the care of patient with late vasospasm post subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).}

^{Methods: SAH resulting from aneurysmal rupture occurs in approximately 30,000 persons per year in North America (Doersken & Tate, 2004). The early detection of vasospasm post SAH provides an opportunity for nurses’ appropriate intervention and treatments to prevent further complications.}^{Thirty one participants were entered into the study and twenty eight completed the post educational intervention survey. Over 60% of eligible nurses participated in the study. A mixed method approach allowed the opportunity to explore nursing education needs related to the care of the SAH patient both quantitative & qualitative analysis.}

^{Results: Quantitative prospective analysis showed statistical increase in level of confidence in knowledge, patient assessment, management, and understanding one month after educational intervention. Qualitative analysis of the perceived skills was conducted using focus group interview with eight participants.}

^{Conclusion: The study demonstrates the following implications to research and clinical practice: need to develop educational interventions to enhance nurses' ability to recognize early signs and symptoms of vasospasm in the post SAH patient, systematically investigate the non-specific predictors of vasospasm in the post SAH patient, and to explore nurses’ perceived skills on patient’s who sustained traumatic SAH.}

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