Nurses Performance Regarding Orthopedic Patients with External Fixation at Zagazig University Hospitals

Background: The external fixation device had been the gold standard for treatment of
many types of fractures that cannot be treated by traction or cast. Orthopedic nurses increasingly
play integral roles in all aspects of orthopedic care. The study aimed to assess nurses'
performance regarding orthopedic patients with external fixation at Zagazig University Hospital.
Research design: A descriptive design was used. Tools of data collection: A self-administered
questionnaire and observational checklist were used to collect data. Study subjects: convenient
sample of 55 nurses working at orthopedic department at Zagazig university hospitals. Results:
Studied nurses’ age ranged between 28 - 58 years and all of studied nurses were females. The
majority of studied nurses had a diploma degree in nursing science and hadn’t attended previous
training about caring of the orthopedic patient with external fixation. About three quarter of
studied nurses had unsatisfactory total knowledge and Almost half of studied nurses had
inadequate total practice regarding care of patient with external fixation. The majority of the
studied nurses’ performance was affected by environmental factors. A statistically significant
relation was found between factors affecting nurses’ performance and their demographic
characteristics at nursing qualification. Also there was a statistical relation between nurses’ total
knowledge regarding external fixation and nurses total practice at care of patients’ positioning.
Conclusion: Nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge and inadequate practice regarding care
of orthopedic patient with external fixation and nurses reported that their performance was
affected by environmental occupational, administrative, and psychological factors.
Recommendation: Educational programs should be held periodically for such group of nurses to
provide clear idea about the proper care of patient with external fixation, external fixation
complications, pin site care, dressing and the factors affecting these performance.