Effectiveness of implementing evidence based practices guidelines regarding blood transfusion on quality of nursing care and patients' safety in Pediatric Units

Abstract

Background and objective: The new trend that widely accepted in health care institutions is to implement an evidence-based practice. Health facilities frequently integrate standards of practice that reveal current best evidence to increase patients’ outcomes and consequently decrease hospital cost. Transfusion of blood is a cornerstone in managing many critically ill children. However, nurses have a chief role in transfusing blood and their knowledge and performance are important for them to transfuse blood safely and efficiently. Aim: Evaluate the effectiveness of implementing evidence based nursing practices guidelines on quality of nursing care and patients' safety as regards blood transfusion to improve transfusion practices and ensure safety.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design. Settings: This study was conducted at Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Room, Medical and Surgical Wards, Hematology/Oncology Units in Children Hospital affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospitals. Sample: A convenience sample composed of 95 pediatric nurses, whom were willingness to participate in the study and 78 children whom were receiving blood transfusion. Tools: I. A Self-Administered Questionnaire Sheet to assess nurses’ knowledge regarding blood transfusion; II. Child’s Medical Record to collect data about child’s health status; III. An Observational Competence Checklist to assess the quality of actual nurses’ practices about Blood Transfusion; and IV. Evidence Based Nursing Practices Guidelines of Blood Transfusion that was described the EBNP guidelines that provide a standardized approach for transfusion (before and after).

Results: The studied nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding to blood transfusion were improved and reflected a highly significant differences before and after guidelines implementation.

Conclusions: The present study concluded that studied nurses showed an improvement in their knowledge and practices regarding blood transfusion after implementation of evidence based nursing practices guidelines. Recommendation: It is essential that all nurses who administer blood transfusion for children should complete periodic in-services training programs to keep them up to date regarding to safe and efficient administration of blood transfusion.