Effectiveness of an Educational Program Regarding Vasoactive Drugs at the Level of Knowledge and Practices among Nurses Working in Critical Care Units

Abstract

Background: Critical care-unit nurses have the responsibility of medication preparation and administration. Vasoactive drugs are lifesaving drugs that are commonly used in critical-care units. However, the inappropriate administration of vasoactive drugs may lead to poor patient outcomes and complications. Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program of vasoactive-drug administration in critical care-unit nurses' knowledge and practice. Methods: A one-group pre-test-post-test design was used for this study. A convenience sample of 102 registered nurses working at different critical-care units at a university-affiliated hospital was recruited. The researchers provided the study participants with a valid educational program on knowledge and practices related to the administration of vasoactive drugs. Three tools were used to collect data; a demographics form, a vasoactive-drug knowledge questionnaire and a vasoactive-drug observational checklist. Results: There were significant differences in the nurses’ vasoactive-drug knowledge and the total vasoactive-drug observational checklist scores before and after the implementation of the educational program with p  0.001. Experiences in the current critical-care unit and course-related vasoactive drugs were significant predictors of the pre-knowledge test scores. Experience in the current critical-care unit was a significant predictor of the pre-practice test scores. Conclusion: The implemented educational program significantly improved critical care-unit nurses’ knowledge and practice related to the administration of vasoactive drugs. Implications for Nursing: The educational program increased nurses’ knowledge, competence and confidence regarding vasoactive-drug administration. Keywords: Nurses’ knowledge, Nurses’ practice, Vasoactive medication, Educational program.