Assessment of knowledge and skills of triage amongst nurses working in the emergency centres in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

significantly associated with age, weaning status and GCS of the patient (p < 0.05). Patients with lower GCS had higher chances of reintubation. Reintubation was not associated with sex, operation status and time of extubation. Conclusion: The rate of unwanted extubations and subsequent reintubations in Neuro ICU, can be decreased with protocol based monitoring, and through well maintained registers by neuro nurses. The knowledge of determinants of self extubation and the predictive factors of reintubation can be used as an effective tool by Nurses, for the prevention of self extubation and accompanying complications. Study/Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess knowledge and skills in caring for life-threatening arrhythmias among nurses working in critical care settings at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH). Specific Objectives: 1. To determine the level of knowledge among nurses regarding caring for life-threatening arrhythmias in critical care settings at MNH. 2. To recognize skills of nurses regarding caring for life-threatening arrhythmias in critical care settings at MNH. 3. To identify barriers to acquiring higher knowledge and skills in caring for life-threatening arrhythmias among nurses in critical care settings at MNH. Background: Life-threatening arrhythmias, if not intervened immediately, can cost a patient's life. There is no clear understanding on the nurse's knowledge and skill level in the areas of life-threatening arrhythmias, caring, and arrhythmia identification at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH). Meanwhile, the intensity of barriers met by nurses on achieving higher levels of knowledge and skills in developing countries, including Tanzania, are significantly not analyzed. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and skills in caring for life-threatening arrhythmias among nurses working in critical care settings at MNH. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used while a convenience sampling method was employed. Data were analyzed by using SPSS Version 20.0. Results were presented in frequencies and percentages and presented using figures, tables, and text. Results: The majority of the participants (60%) were identified as having high knowledge, while observational skills in caring for life-threatening arrhythmias among study participants was generally poor (15.6%). The most barriers identified in acquiring higher knowledge and skill was stress caused by overwhelming workload (68.8%). Conclusion: The study revealed that nurses have a high knowledge level; however, the observational skills were low in caring for patients with life-threatening arrhythmias. A high level of knowledge might be due to training performed; yet skills were low due to minimal usage of available equipment or guidelines. 1. Disaster Management, bezmialem vakif university, istanbul/Turkey 2. Dİsaster Medİcİne Doctorate Programme, BEZMİALEM VAKİF UNİVERSİTY INSTITUTİON OF HEALTH SCİENCES, ISTANBUL/Turkey 3. Nursİng Department, BEZMİALEM VAKİF UNİVERSİTY FACULTY OF HEALTH SCİENCES,...

Perceptions and Knowledge on Triage of Nurses Workingin Emergency Departments of Hospitals in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana.

“…Similar knowledge scores about triage were observed with nurses in EDs of other countries. A study done by Aloyce, Leshabari and Brysiewicz on assessment of knowledge and skills of triage amongst nurses working in the emergency centres in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania showed 33%of the respondents were not knowledgeable about triage but 67% were knowledgeable about triage which is in accordance with the current study [1]. The current study also agrees with the findings ofMalekshahi and Mohammad-zadeh in 2004, where nurses" knowledge level about triage was also a little above average (53.9%) [20]; and the study of Goransson, Ehrenberg and Ehnfors, which showed participants" knowledge level was 57.7% [19].…”

“…Triage is an essential function of an Emergency Department (ED) and it is a term used to describe the sorting of patients for treatment priority in EDs [1]. The purpose and functionof triage is to first identify patients with life-threatening or emergency conditions who cannot wait to be seen and initiate appropriate interventions, and then allocate the patient to the right area within the ED [2].…”

Triage Decision-Making Levels of Healthcare Professionals Working in Emergency Departments

“…On the other hand, Sungur et al (19) found that 64.7% of the nurses did not receive any triage training. A study by Aloyce et al (20) reported that 22% of the nurses working in EDs received nursing training in emergency care, whereas 78% had received no such training. However, the person who will do triage should know the symptoms of the diseases that require emergency intervention (19).…”

TRIAGE : Management of the trauma patient

“…However, a significant limitation in research studies in the disaster medicine area is related to the lack of standards for collecting and reporting data [1]. The research tools are not validated [142], or available to use or utilizable during a disaster [138].…”

“…Many hospitals in low-income countries lack a structured trauma system, including a formal triage system [138]. As an example, a study from Pakistan showed that 86% of pre-hospital personnel did not have a system for prioritizing patients and information to the hospital prior to arrival [139].…”