Assessment of Nurses Knowledge Regarding Nursing Care for Patients with Burn

Abstract

The main purpose from this study was to identify Sociodemographic characteristics of burn nurses, compare their knowledge concerning burn and nursing care, burn treatment, their experiences and complications of burn between both Azady Teaching hospital/Kirkuk City and Western Emergency hospital/Hawler City. A comparative study, using the assessment approach was conducted on nurses from 12^th June, 2011 to 17^th July, 2012. A purposive (non-probability) sample of (20) nurses (males and females) whom working in burn center at both Azadi Teaching hospital/Kirkuk City and Western Emergency hospital/Hawler City were selected for the study. A questionnaire was developed for the purpose of the study; it was comprised of (5) parts: part (1) Sociodemographic characteristics; part (2) training course; part (3) nurses knowledge concerning burn and nursing care; part (4) treatment of burn; part (5) knowledge of complications, by using the scale (I know, Uncertain, I don’t know) for comparing their knowledge concerning burn and nursing care, treatment , and complications of burn, while for nurses training courses used the scale (Yes , No). Data were analyzed through the application of descriptive statistical data analysis approach (frequency, percentage, mean of scores). Knowledge of the nurses in items of parts (3, 4, 5) are determined as following: (adequate = 2.33 – 3), (moderately adequate = 1.67 - 2.32), and (inadequate = 1 - 1.66). The findings of the study showed that an age group (30 – 35) year represents the greater percentage (45.0 %) at Azady Teaching hospital in compare to Western Emergency hospital, in which (60%) of their nurses were at age group (24 – 29). Males highly represented at both Azady hospital (75%) and Western hospital (70%). Medical institutes graduated nurses represent (55%) in Azady hospital while (80%) at Western hospital, nurses had worked for (<1) year at both Azady hospital (55%) and Western hospital (45%) (15) nurses weren’t take part in training course, (10) nurses were attended to continuous nursing education lectures of burn care and only (2) nurses were sent for session out of country, while at Western Emergency hospital, (14) nurses share in training course, (11) nurses were attended to continuous nursing education lectures of burn care and only (1) nurse were sent for session out of country. The average mean of scores of nurses knowledge at Azady hospital was (2.32) against (2.61) for Western hospital, while the average mean of scores of their knowledge of treatment was (2.34) against (2.37) for Western hospital and regarding the complications of burn was (2.11) against (2.1) for Western hospital. In conclusions, the nurses knowledge of burn and nursing care were moderately adequate at Azady hospital in compare to adequate knowledge at western hospital knowledge regarding treatment showed adequate knowledge at both hospitals, and their knowledge of complication of burn were moderately adequate at both hospitals. Recommendation from this study is to establishment a protocol concerning nursing care of burn patients in burn center, training the nursing staff in developed centers whether inside or out of country. Put a policy that limits nurses transferring between different unites in the hospital.

Keywords: Assessment, Nurses, Knowledge, Burn.