Evaluation of A Nurse-led Training Program on Administering a Recurrent Large-Volume Cleansing Enema in Hepatic Encephalopathic Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Suez Canal University, Egypt.

2 Lecturer of Infectious and Endemic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy is a reversible condition characterized by neuropsychiatric disturbances due to progressive liver dysfunction that has significant morbidity and mortality rates. Administering a recurrent large-volume cleansing enema is one of the main effective collaborative care treatments that can reduce hospital stays. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led training program on administering a recurrent large-volume cleansing enema in hepatic encephalopathic patients. Methods: A quasi-experimental design (pretest, posttest, and follow-up) was used in this study. Setting: The study was conducted at two intensive care units (hepatic and intermediate) affiliated with the Suez Canal University Hospital. Participants: A convenient sample of sixty-one nurses were recruited from the selected units. Data collection tools: Two tools were used to collect the data. The interviewing questionnaire assessed nurses’ knowledge and the observational checklist assessed nurses’ practice regarding the administering a recurrent large-volume cleansing enema and the assessment of consciousness. Results: There was an improvement in nurses’ level of knowledge following the program. The satisfactory level of knowledge differed significantly at the pre-program (11.4%), post-program (93.4%), and follow-up (83.6%) phases. In addition, the satisfactory level of practice differed significantly at the pre-program (25.6%), post-program (99.1%) and follow-up (92.2%) phases. The total level of knowledge and practice scores also significantly positively correlated across the study phases. Conclusion: The nurse-led training program significantly enhanced the nurses’ knowledge and practice scores regarding the administering a recurrent large-volume cleansing enema. Recommendation: Considering the current findings, several recommendations may be put forth. First, it is necessary to implement nurse-led training programs in a wider setting at hospitals to promote the efficacy of nursing care. Hepatic care units must also be provided with more Arabic copies of training programs to supply nurses with an understandable guide.

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