Evaluation of Nurses' Practices Concerning Chest Pain Management for Patients in the Emergency Unit

Abstract

Objective(s): The study objectives are to evaluate of nurses' practices concerning chest pain management that are provided for patients in the emergency unit and to finding out the relationship between the nurse's practices and the demographic characteristics that includes (age, gender, level of education, years of experience, and training session).

Methodology: A descriptive study which was using the quantitative design. The study was conducted at the Medical City/ Baghdad Teaching Hospital; Al-Karama Teaching Hospital, and Al-Kindi Teaching Hospital Starting in Sep. 2nd 2012 up to the 15th of April 2013. To achieve the objectives of the study, A non-probability (purposive) samples of (70) a nurse who was consisted of all nurses who provide emergency nursing care for patients which suffering of chest pain and according to special criteria. Data were collected by an application of direct check list observation as a means of data collection. Nurses were observed while they are working in the emergency unit during the day. Instrument validity was determined through content validity, by a panel of experts. Reliability of the instrument was determined through the use of Pearson correlation coefficient for the researcher and co-observes reliability approach, which was (0.85). Analysis of data was performed through the application of descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean of score, Relative sufficiency) and inferential statistics (Chi-square (X²) test). 

Results: The results of the study indicated the evaluation of the mean of scores and relative sufficiency for nurse's practices to management of chest pain for patients in the emergency unit was out of comparison and there is no significant association between training session of sample and nurses' practices scores. While there is high significant association between ages, gender, level of education, years of experience in emergency unit and nurses' practices.

Conclusion: The study concluded most of nurses that work in emergency unit have inadequate practices to manage chest pain.

Recommendations: The study recommends to prepare special training programs for nurses in this area to reinforce their practices and promote their experiences and providing opportunity for nurses in emergency unit to continuing updating their education to maintain knowledge and practices.