The effect of scenario based teaching for critical care nurses and physicians on their knowledge of fluid creep

Abstract

Introduction: Fluid resuscitation is a major component of the acute management of critically ill patients. The phenomenon of providing excessive fluid resuscitation volumes has been termed “fluid creep”. Today, the science of nursing becomes more complex. Accurate fluid balance assessment and recording is important component of nursing care that assures patient’s safety especially in critically ill patients. The aim of the work is to examine the effect of scenario based teaching for critical care nurses and physicians on their knowledge of fluid balance & fluid creep.

Methods: The study design: pre & posttest research design. Setting: This study was implemented in general, trauma, obstetric and burn intensive care units (ICUs) at Assiut university Hospital-Assiut-Egypt. Subjects: 35 critical care nurses and 29 intensive care physicians were drawn from the previously mentioned ICUs. Methodology: A pre & posttest questionnaire of nurses’ and physicians’ knowledge, perception and satisfaction regarding fluid creep and fluid balance was adapted from the articles and was used in data collection before and after the application of scenario based teaching. This questionnaire was implemented on two phases (pre and after the teaching program). The data was collected from January 2018 to July 2018.

Results: There is a considerable improvement in participants’ knowledge and perception concerning fluid balance and fluid creep after applying the scenario based teaching (p value < .001).

Conclusions: Nowadays, nurses and physicians need advanced level of knowledge to be able to deal with the physiological changes that occur in critically ill.