Performance of staff nurses providing care to patients with cerebrovascular stroke at intensive care units: prevalence and influencing factors

Abstract

Background: Nurses have a critical role in the care of stroke patients, especially in the first 24 hours. Their performance needs to be scrutinized. Aim of the study: to assess staff nurses' knowledge and practices regarding patients with cerebrovascular stroke (CVS) at intensive care units (ICUs) and identify their influencing factors. Subjects and methods: The study was conducted in at Zagazig University Hospitals’ ICUs using a cross-sectional analytic design on 80 staff nurses in the ‎setting. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire for knowledge and an observation checklist for their practice. All administrative and ethical requirements were fulfilled. Results: Nurses’ median age 28.5 years, with more females (68.8%), having diploma degree (77.5%). Overall, 56.3% had satisfactory knowledge, and none had adequate total practice. In multivariate analysis urban residence, the number of training courses attended and the number of sources of information were significant positive predictors of staff nurses’ knowledge score, while urban residence, higher qualification, and the number of sources of information were significant positive predictors of their performance while age was a negative predictor. Conclusion and recommendations: The staff nurses providing care to CVS patients in the study settings have deficient knowledge and practice that are influenced by their age, residence, qualification, training, and sources of information. Specialized training programs, clear guidelines, and close performance monitoring are recommended.