Improving subcutaneous injection safety among nurses: a randomized controlled trial of video-based and face-to-face training

Injection safety is vital in nursing practice. Registered nurses may lack adequate skills due to limited clinical experience. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of video-based and face-to-face training methods on the subcutaneous injection safety knowledge and practical skills of registered nurses. A randomized controlled design was used to compare video-based and face-to-face training in improving injection safety among 82 registered nurses. Data were collected using researcher-developed forms assessing knowledge, skills, satisfaction, and demographics. CONSORT checklist followed in this study. No adverse events were observed during the study. Training delivered both online and in face-to-face improved knowledge and skills. However, face-to-face training resulted in significantly higher knowledge scores (91.2 ± 8.61) for subcutaneous injection than online training (82.24 ± 11.39) indicating a mean difference of 8.96 points (mean difference = 8.96; 95% CI: 4.58–13.34; Cohen’s d = 0.89; p < 0.001), with an achieved power of 0.89. Both face-to-face and video-based education effectively improved knowledge and skills, highlighting the value of ongoing training in ensuring patient safety and subcutenous heparin injection practice. This trial was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05469035) on July 21, 2022, prior to the enrollment of the first participant. Current controlled trials clinical trials ID: NCT05469035 (Date:21.07.2022).