Obstacles Face Nursing Staff Toward Care of Critically Ill Obese Patient in Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Background: Intensive care unit was a stressful environment. Therefore nurses encounter additional obstacles when caring for obese patients in ICU. These obstacles must be identified for proposing a solution and enhancing safe and quality nursing care to critically ill obese patients. The aim of this study was to assess obstacles that face nursing staff toward the care of critically ill obese patients in the intensive care unit. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive research design. Subject: All available critical care nurses and obese patient at Assuit University Hospitals within 6 months. Setting: The study was carried out at General, Trauma, Anesthesia, and Cardiac ICU at Assiut University Hospitals. Two tools were utilized to collect data; a patient assessment sheet and a nurse's self-administered questionnaire about obstacles in the care of critically ill obese patients. Method: Nurses' obstacles during the care of critically ill obese patients about equipment and clinical practice were obtained by using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was translated by a researcher to Arabic format in order to suit the nurses' language and their level of understanding. Results: Most nurses' obstacles regarding equipment were lack of proper cuff size 76.7%, lifters 66.7%, and bariatric bed 60.0%. According to clinical practice, turning and repositioning 91.1%, blood pressure measurement76.7%, and calculate calories 67.8%. Conclusions: Nurses' obstacles in the care of critically ill obese patients increase with an increased number of obese patients. Recommendations: Overcome these obstacles are essential in hospitals through the application of new strategies to provide appropriate patients care.

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