Level of knowledge in the field of nutritional support among nurse anesthetists

Abstract

Introduction. Every second patient in intensive care has a low nutritional status. Since one of the duties of a nurse is to fulfill doctor's orders, providing and maintaining nutritional support also falls on the shoulders of nursing staff. Therefore, the level of nutritional support knowledge among health workers should be sufficiently high. In our opinion, each health worker must understand the need, indications and contraindications for the medical procedures and manipulations, their complications and the ways to prevent them in order to effectively provide health care. The aim of this study is to determine the level of knowledge in the field of nutritional support among nurses who completed a certified nurse-anesthetist program in one of the Moscow medical vocational institutions.
 
 Materials and methods. Authors conducted an analytical cross-sectional study with an anonymous questionnaire. Nurses who took an advanced training were firstly asked to fill out a questionnaire reflecting a subjective assessment of their own knowledge of nutritional support, and then they were asked to answer test questions for an objective assessment of knowledge. Score of 80% and above was considered as a sufficient level of knowledge.
 
 Results. A total of 53 questionnaires were completed. The average knowledge score was 40%. Two participants achieved the target of 80% correct test responses. There was no significant difference between the level of knowledge of nutritional support and work experience. At the same time, 45% of the respondents considered their level of knowledge to be insufficient and 80% of the participants identified the importance and necessity of knowledge.
 
 Conclusion. Nursing staff has an insufficient knowledge of nutritional support regardless of age and work experience. However, authors revealed the interest, importance and desire of nurses to improve their knowledge in nutritional support of patients. In this regard, it is necessary to organize the regular training of healthcare personnel in order to reduce the gap in knowledge.