Assessment of Nurses Performance Regarding External Ventricular Drain among Children with Brain Tumor

Abstract

Background: Brain tumors are the second most common childhood malignancies, after hematologic malignancies and are the most common pediatric solid organ tumor. External Ventricular Drain (EVD) is indicated for management of infection, intra ventricular hemorrhage, intra cranial pressure monitor or after tumor excision. Aim: This study aimed to assess nurses' performance regarding external ventricular drain among children with brain tumor. Design: A descriptive design was used. Setting: Inpatient Departments and Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Children Cancer Hospital Foundation in Cairo, Egypt (57357). Subject: A purposive sample included 100 nurses out of total number 152 nurses who work in the previously mentioned setting. Tools: Two tools were used; interviewing questionnaire sheet and observational checklist. Results: Most of studied nurses were females and also more than two thirds of them have competent practices. Moreover, there was a highly statistical significant difference between both nurses’ total knowledge and total practice and their age and years of experience. Conclusion: Slightly more than two thirds of studied nurses have unsatisfactory knowledge while more than three quarters of them were competent in caring of EVD among children with brain tumor. There was no correlation between nurses' total knowledge and their total practices regarding care of EVD among children with brain tumor. Recommendations: Development of educational guidelines based on evidence-based nursing practices to promote excellence of nursing care and provides high-quality patient care regarding children with EVD.