Evaluation of pulse oximetry knowledge of nurses employed in anesthesiology departments
Panagiotis Kiekkas, Floralmpa Tseko, Adelaida Alimuci, Nikolaos Stefanopoulos, Maria Papadimitriou, Maria Karga, Evangelos Konstantinou
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Publication year:
2012
Authors:
- Kiekkas Panagiotis, Assistant Professor, Nursing Department, Highest Technological Institute of Patras
- Tseko Floralmpa, Registered Nurse
- Alimuci Adelaida, Registered Nurse
- Stefanopoulos Nikolaos, Assistant Professor, Nursing Department, Highest Technological Institute of Patras
- Papadimitriou Maria, Professor, Nursing Department, Highest Technological Institute of Patras
- Karga Maria, Infection Control Nurse, General University Hospital of Patras
- Konstantinou Evangelos, Assistant Professor in Nurse Anesthesia, Nursing Department, National and Kapodistrian Athens University
Keywords index:
Pages: 94-102
Abstract:
Introduction: Pulse oximetry has been widely used for timely detecting hypoxemia. However, international studies have reported important knowledge deficits among peronnel,associated with its function and limitations, which may adversely affect patient safety.
Aim: To evaluate pulse oximetry knowledge of nursing personnel employed in the anesthesiology department.
Material – methods: A 21-item, true/false questionnaire was developed, which was evaluated for content-related validity and reliability. All nurses employed in the anesthesiology department of five hospitals were asked to participate. Correct responses were summed to calculate pulse oximetry knowledge score of each participant. SPSS 17.0 was used for statistical analysis of data.
Results: 53 questionnaires were completed in total (response rate 80.3%). Mean pulse oximetry knowledge score was 12.7+3.6, without detecting significant differences according to demographics. Percentage of correct responses did not exceed 50% for 8 questionnaire items, 6 of which covered principles of pulse oximetry function.
Conclusions: Pulse oximetry knowledge of anesthesiology department nurses is similar to that reported by respective international studies and is mainly based on experience. Identification of knowledge deficits is considered of primary importance, and these were mainly associated with principles of pulse oximetry function. Implementation of continuing education programs is expected to contribute to the promotion of knowledge not obtained through experience, as well as to knowledge utilization for developing clinical skills.Download PDF
