Clinical nurses’ knowledge level on pulse oximetry: A descriptive multi-centre study

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• 作者：Dragana Milutinović^a ; ^{dragana.milutinovic@mf.uns.ac.rs" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author} ; ^{milutind021@gmail.com" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author} ; Gordana Repić^b ; ^{gordana.repic@gmail.com" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author} ; Branimirka Aranđelović^c ; ^{branimirka.arandjelovic@gmail.com" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author}
• 关键词：Anaesthesiology ; Descriptive ; Emergency ; Intensive care ; Knowledge ; Multi-centre ; Nurses ; Pulse oximetry
• 刊名：Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：December 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：37
• 期：Complete
• 页码：19-26
• 全文大小：464 K

文摘

The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge on pulse oximetry among nurses. Understanding this is important because insufficient knowledge can lead to misinterpretation of pulse oximetry readings and consequently compromise patient safety.

c_2">Research methodology

The study was cross-sectional and included a sample of 198 nurses. A modified questionnaire by Kiekkas et al. was used as the research tool.

c_3">Setting

Intensive care units, anaesthesiology and emergency departments in two tertiary health care institutions in Serbia.

c_4">Main outcome measures

Principles of pulse oximeter function and conditions that can affect accuracy and reliability of pulse oximetry readings.

c_5">Results

The lower percentage of correct responses about principles of pulse oximetry function was found in items related with the alarm reliability and understanding technical limitations. The factors that might affect pulse oximetry readings which were not identified by the nurses at a satisfactory level were the body position and specific kinds of ambient light. The mean scores of knowledge level were significantly different regarding departments (p = 0.015).

c_6">Conclusion

Since this study revealed a lower level of knowledge in some aspects of pulse oximetry, it can be concluded that the generally firm belief that “experience is everything” can be challenged. This fact is important for the quality of health care and the patient's safety.