Nurses’ Knowledge Regarding Management of Hypovolemic Shock: A Cross-Sectional Study

General background: Administering and preparing medications are fundamental aspects of nursing practice that significantly influence patient outcomes. Specific background: Medication errors during preparation or administration can lead to adverse effects, and assessing nurses' knowledge in this area is crucial for improving patient safety. Knowledge gap: Limited studies have examined the specific knowledge of nurses in Iraq, particularly in Basra hospitals, regarding these practices. Aims: This study aims to assess the knowledge of nurses in Basra Governorate hospitals concerning medication preparation and administration, identifying areas for improvement to enhance patient care. Results: The study surveyed 70 nurses (55.71% female and 44.28% male), with 47.1% holding a BSc in nursing sciences, 28.57% with a diploma, and 24.28% from secondary nursing schools. Regarding experience, 31.42% had less than one year, and 30% had 1-5 years of experience. Participants worked across emergency, internal medicine, surgery, and other departments. Nurses demonstrated a significant mean score of 1.84 in knowledge regarding drug preparation practices and a score of 1.74 in knowledge regarding drug administration, both indicating satisfactory understanding but with variability across departments. Novelty: This study provides specific data on nurses' knowledge in Basra hospitals, a region that has not been extensively studied in the context of medication management errors. Implications: These findings suggest that while nurses possess adequate knowledge of drug preparation and administration, continued education and training, especially for less experienced nurses, may further enhance patient safety. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions in Basra to address gaps in clinical practice and reduce medication errors. Highlights: Medication errors directly affect patient outcomes and treatment effectiveness. Nurses’ knowledge varies by experience and department in Basra hospitals. Continuous training improves medication safety and patient care quality. Keywords: Nursing knowledge, medication errors, drug preparation, drug administration, Basra hospitals.

Assessing Nurses' Knowledge on Medication to Reduce Errors in Iraq

Ali,

Hashoosh,

Mishet

et al. 2024

Multidrug Resistant Bacteria Isolated From Some Basrah Hospitals

Dhahir,

Mohammad

2024

General Background: Antibiotic resistance is a significant and growing public health concern, especially in hospital settings, where intensive care units (ICUs) often harbor multidrug-resistant organisms. Specific Background: Antimicrobial resistance in ICUs is a significant issue, necessitating a thorough assessment of bacterial susceptibility patterns to develop effective treatment protocols. Knowledge Gap: Despite the increasing concern, comprehensive studies focusing on bacterial resistance patterns in ICUs, particularly in diverse hospital settings, remain limited. Aims: The study aimed to assess the resistance patterns of bacterial isolates from blood, urine, and ICU surfaces to various antibiotics and identify the most resistant species. Results: Thirty blood, twenty urine, and fifty-six environmental samples were collected and cultured. Staphylococcus spp. exhibited 75% resistance to erythromycin, while Klebsiella spp., Pantoea spp., and E. coli showed 100% resistance to multiple antibiotics, including Ticarcillin, Piperacillin, and Cefixime. Confirmatory bacterial identification was performed using the Vitek 2 compact system, and resistance was measured across 25 antibiotics from various classes. Novelty: The study highlights the alarming 100% antibiotic resistance in various ICU-associated bacterial species, emphasizing the urgent need for revised antibiotic stewardship programs. Implications: The study underscores the importance of monitoring AMR patterns in hospitals and adjusting antibiotic therapies to combat rising resistance, particularly in ICUs, highlighting the need for robust surveillance. Highlights: 100% resistance: Klebsiella, Pantoea, E. coli resist multiple antibiotics in ICU. ICU risk: Multidrug-resistant bacteria prevalent in intensive care units. Urgent need: Update antibiotic protocols, enhance AMR surveillance in hospitals. Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, ICU, bacterial susceptibility, multidrug-resistant organisms, hospital infections

Critical Knowledge Gap in Blood Transfusion Among University Students in Iraq

Mohammad

2024

Background: Blood transfusion, a crucial part of modern medical treatment, is believed to be the first successful organ transplant and plays a vital role in modern healthcare interventions. Knowledge gap: Despite its importance, awareness and knowledge about blood transfusion and donation are insufficient, particularly among university students. Aims: This study aims to assess student knowledge regarding blood transfusion and to raise awareness about blood donation. Methods: A cross-sectional study at Bab Al-Zubair University involved 200 students, assessing blood transfusion knowledge using a questionnaire and SPSS version 16, with statistical analysis. Results: The study revealed that 46% of students had no knowledge of blood transfusion, while only 31% had information on transfusion and donation. Social media was the primary information source for 32% of students, with only 9% undergoing regular blood tests. Moreover, 82.5% of students had never attended a seminar on blood donation. Novelty: This study highlights a significant gap in knowledge and awareness among students regarding blood transfusion and donation, emphasizing the role of social media as a key information source. Implications: The study emphasizes the need for targeted educational interventions in university curricula to enhance student awareness and knowledge about blood donation and transfusion. Highlights: Knowledge Gap: 46% of students lack information on blood transfusion. Seminar Absence: 82.5% never attended blood donation seminars. Educational Need: More training and seminars required to increase awareness. Keywords: Blood transfusion, Student knowledge, Blood donation, Awareness, Cross-sectional study