Assessment of Nurses’ Performance Regarding Central Venous Access Care in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Background: The use of central venous catheters is an integral part of modern health care throughout the world, especially among children as central venous catheters are essential elements in the treatment of ill children. Aim of the study: The study aimed to assess nurses’ performance regarding central venous access care in pediatric intensive care unit. Research design: A descriptive design was utilized to conduct the study. Setting: The study was conducted at two pediatric intensive care units at Pediatric Hospital of Ain Shams University. Sample: A purposive sample of 52 nurses working at the previously mentioned setting were selected. Tools: two tools were used: 1st tool was a structured interview questionnaire. 2nd tool was observational checklist. Results: The study showed that (58%) of studied nurses have unsatisfactory level of knowledge and 54% are incompetent in practice. There was a positive correlation between total level of knowledge and level of practice (P-value ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Based on the current study results, it was concluded that more than half of the studied nurses have an unsatisfactory level of knowledge and are incompetent in practice. The studied nurses’ characteristics such as attending training course and their qualifications had significant difference with total level of knowledge while there was no significant difference between age, gender, marital status and experience and total level of knowledge. There was statistically significant difference between studied nurses’ qualifications and their practices. Recommendations: in-service education programs for nurses and replication of the study on larger sample in different geographical areas.