Workers' Clinical Skills at Out-of-Hospital Emergency Care

Mari Salminen Tuomaala,Riitta Mikkola,Päivi Leikkola,Eija Paavilainen

doi:10.4172/2165-7548.1000291

Abstract

Background: Workers’ clinical skills at out-of-hospital emergency care greatly affect patient safety and care quality. The objectives of the study was to examine emergency care workers’ self-perception of their clinical skills in out-of-hospital emergency care to produce new knowledge that can be used to develop basic and continuing education programmes. Methods: A quantitative approach was selected. Participants consisted of nurses (86), practical nurses (48) and medical emergency technicians/ hospital and ambulance attendants (8) in out-of-hospital emergency service units in one hospital district in Finland (N=1, response rate 53%). Self-administered questionnaire with 8 background questions and 70 multi-choice questions analysed using SPSS for Windows 22. Results: Respondents rated their skills in fluid care, circulation maintenance and care of lifeless patients highest, whereas the results were poorest for skills in intubation and care of gynaecological patients. Emergency care workers’ age, sex work experience, type of employment and educational background were associated with variation in their self-rated clinical skills. Conclusions: Regular updates by means of simulation-based learning or group supervision are required, especially for novices and non-permanent workers to create safe routines in airway maintenance and caring for less common groups of patients.

Highlights

Workers’ clinical skills at out-of-hospital emergency care greatly affect patient safety and care quality
Emergency care workers’ age, sex work experience, type of employment and educational background were associated with variation in their self-rated clinical skills
Regular updates by means of simulation-based learning or group supervision are required, especially for novices and non-permanent workers to create safe routines in airway maintenance and caring for less common groups of patients

Summary

Introduction

Workers’ clinical skills at out-of-hospital emergency care greatly affect patient safety and care quality. The objectives of the study was to examine emergency care workers’ self-perception of their clinical skills in out-of-hospital emergency care to produce new knowledge that can be used to develop basic and continuing education programmes. In Finland, emergency care services are provided by hospital districts. Considering that patients suffer from lifethreatening conditions in challenging settings and that special attention must be paid to factors that affect patient safety, it becomes advisable to regularly evaluate staff competence and skills and define needs for continuing education. A number of studies have shown that basic nursing education does not provide sufficient emergency nursing competence. There is little research on emergency care workers’ perceptions of their clinical skills or competence [5].

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Conclusion