The Evaluation of Information Requirements in End-Stage Renal Failure Patients Care of Intensive Care Nurses

The Evaluation Of Information Requirements in End-Stage Renal Failure Patients Care Of Intensive Care Nurses

Introduction and Objectives: Nurses who are working in all areas, particularly in the intensive care unit may experience end-stage renal failure (ESRD) patients. This study was conducted to assess the information requirements in end-stage renal failure patients care of intensive care nurses.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in a teaching and research hospital between February-April 2014. The practice has been completed with 133 nurses (84,17%) of 158 nurses working in the intensive care unit (ICU) who match the search criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Ethical and institutions approval was obtained. Data collection form developed as a result of the literature review consists of 54 questions. At least 70% (30 questions) of the questions (42) that determine the level of knowledge in the ESRD patient care are expected to give the right answer from nurses. Descriptive statistics are shown as numerically, percentage, and mean ± standard deviation.

Findings: Twenty participants are male, mean age 28,2 ± 5,6 and 60,2% of the participants works in the surgical ICU. Average correct count is 32,7 ± 4,5 (min=11-max=40), the most correct answer count is 33 (n = 25). More than half of the nurses (55,6%)  know how to do controlling the arteriovenous fistula. However, 73,7% of the nurses do not feel qualified themselves in ESRD patients care. 36,1% of the cases gave the wrong answer to the question of using masks while hemodialysis catheter dressing. While 91% of participants gave the correct answer to the "There are drawbacks about the diet rich in potassium for ESRD patients" question, 14.3% of participants gave the wrong answer to the "There is nothing wrong to eat bananas and apricots for ESRD patients" question. Most of the participants gave the correct answer to the "I prefer back of the hand when drawing blood in ESRD patients" (69,2%)  and "It is inconvenient to draw blood from the antecubital fossa" (72,9%) question. A statistically significant relationship were found between receiving training about ESRD and the count of correct answer (p=0,011). There is no statistically significant relationship between working time in intensive care unit, full operating time and the count of correct answer (p=0,45).

Results: Most of the participants (80%) answered at least 70% of the knowledge questions about ESRD correctly. It is suggested that standards must be created utilizing clinical practice guidelines to increase the effectiveness of nursing care. Education changes perceptions about issues especially in critical units such as intensive care units and acts by increasing the knowledge. There should be multidisciplinary training programs about ESRD and training programs should be organized related to the subject to intensive care staff.