Effect of Implementing a Designed Nursing Protocol on Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice Regarding Epileptic Patients Outcomes

Abstract

Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. Neurons normally generate electrochemical impulses that act on other neurons, glands, and muscles to produce human thoughts, feelings, and actions. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior, or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness: More than 2 million people in the United States about 1 in 100 have experienced an unprovoked seizure or been diagnosed with epilepsy. For about 80 percent of those diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with modern medicines and surgical techniques. However, about 25 to 30 percent of people with epilepsy will continue to experience seizures even with the best available treatment. The nurse plays a critical role in reducing complications of this method .The aim of the present study is 3 folds: first is to assess nurse's knowledge and practice regarding epileptic patients, design nursing protocol for nurses working with epileptic patient , and evaluate the effect of implementing the designed nursing protocol on nurse's knowledge and practice regarding epileptic patients. Four hypotheses were formulated: (1) the post mean knowledge scores of nurses who will be exposed to designed nursing protocol will be higher than their pre mean knowledge scores. (2) The post mean practice score of nurses who will be exposed to designed nursing protocol will be higher than their pre mean practice scores. (3) The incidence of complications during seizure for epileptic patient cared by nurses after protocol implementation will be lesser than that developed pre protocol implementation. (4) A positive relationship will exist between knowledge and practice score obtained by nurses receiving the designed nursing protocol. Research design: aquasi-experimental research design was utilized in this study on a convenient sample of 35 nurses and 30 Adult conscious patients with epilepsy, who are aged from 18 to 65 years from both sexes, agree to participate in the study. This study was conducted in the in neurological department at Assiut University Hospital. Tools utilize for data collection were a) Questionnaire sheet. .b) Observation checklist sheet. c) Patient assessment sheet. d) Construction of designed nursing protocol. Results: The first and the second hypotheses were supported as a good improvement in the mean knowledge & practice scores were found after the implementing of designed nursing protocol. The third hypothesis was supported, as epilepsy complications were improved after protocol implementation. The fourth hypothesis were not able to extract the statistical significance of the relationship between knowledge and nursing practices before and after the study due to the result is one and zero. Conclusion: patient with epilepsy exposed for several complications. Improving nurses' knowledge and practice can favorable affect the incidence of these complications. Recommendation: Nurses in need for in-services training programs and refreshing courses to improve their knowledge which will reflect into their practice while working with epileptic patients