Results

Thesis & Dissertations

The Effect of Teaching Central Venous Catheter Care on Knowledge and Skills of the Intensive Care Unit Nursing Staff at the American University of Beirut Medical Center

Abstract

Central venous catheter (CVC) is an important instrument utilized in critical care units to administer medications or fluids, obtain blood tests, and obtain cardiovascular measurements such as the central venous pressure. Although CVC is essential for monitoring and supporting patients’ health, it carries a lot of complications and life threatening adverse events that can prolong hospitalization and cost of treatment. Critical Care Nurses’ related knowledge and skills on CVC are essential elements in preventing CVC complications. Evidence indicates that the conduction of CVC training attempts improves critical care nurses’ (CCNs) knowledge and skills. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of teaching central venous catheter care on knowledge and skills of the intensive care nurses at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC). A quasi experimental study was conducted on 25 critical care nurses at the Intensive Care Unit of the AUBMC. In this study, two tools were used to assess nurses’ knowledge and skills related to CVC care in this study. A “Questionnaire on CVC care” and “Central venous catheter handling and dressing change checklist”. A third tool was used to deliver the teaching session which is a “Power point presentation regarding CVC care”. The study results showed improvement in the percentage of the satisfactory results and the mean scores of CCNs’ knowledge and skills after teaching sessions. However, this improvement did not show the optimal required level necessary for the best possible CVC care. Therefore, CCNs require continuing teaching sessions and educational workshops that should be based on CCNs educational needs and personal characteristics.

Student(s)

Maher Zein Al Abidin Youssef

Supervisor(s)

Dr. Iman Zahran