Effect of an Educational Program on Improving Quality of Nursing Care of Patients with Thalassemia Major as Regards Blood Transfusion

Abstract

Quality of care is indicating that the right things are being done right, and is vital in improving the patient outcomes and safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational program on improving quality of nursing care for patients with thalassemia major as regards blood transfusion. Research design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized in this study. Research setting: The study was conducted at both in-and out-patient pediatric and adult medicine hematology departments affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample consisted of two groups: The first group included all nurses (n=30) working in the above mentioned settings; and the second group included adolescent and adult patients with thalassemia major (n=50), who were attending the above mentioned settings over a period of six months, they were chosen randomly. Tools: Data were collected through: (I) An interviewing questionnaire which include: sociodemographic data sheet for nurses and patients, nurse's knowledge sheet and routine blood transfusion knowledge questionnaire (RBTKQ) (II) An observational checklist to assess nurse's practice related to blood transfusion, assessment of the body system, measuring of vital signs and administration of intravenous iron chelation therapy. (III) Patient satisfaction scale. Based upon the actual need assessment of the study subjects an intervention program was designed and implemented. Results: The most important findings of the study revealed that, most of nurses had poor knowledge about blood transfusion and thalassemia. Besides, they don’t follow a standard of quality of nursing care related to blood transfusion and other basic procedures as measuring of vital signs and administration of intravenous iron chelation therapy. In addition, the majority of patients were unsatisfied for quality of nursing care pre program, which improved to more than two thirds of patients were satisfied regarding quality of nursing care post program. The implementation of the education program has improved nurses' knowledge, practice and patients' satisfaction with statistically significant differences (p=< 0.05, 0.01 & 0.01). Conclusion: Findings revealed that, the educational program had a positive effect on nurses' knowledge and practice related to thalassemia and blood transfusion, which improved quality of nursing care as well as increased patients' satisfaction. The study recommended that, a specialized orientation program should be developed for newly appointed nurses to prepare them before working at the hematology departments further studies should be conducted to improve nurses' knowledge and practice regarding to blood transfusion care of patients with thalassemia.