Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service I (Projects aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery to meet international standards)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service III (Projects aiming at quality service to patients and their carers)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Wu HM(1), So JLT(1), Chan CY(1), Chen CK(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Accident and Emergency, Tseung Kwan O Hospital
Introduction :
Emergency Nurses frequently face challenges in providing intravenous therapy for patients with difficult vascular access in the Accident and Emergency Department. Thus, ultrasound-guided intravenous access has emerged as a valuable technique in enhancing success rate, decreasing numbers of attempts and increasing patient satisfaction level for patients with difficult vascular access.
Objectives :
1. To enhance Emergency Nurses’ knowledge of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous access including I. the anatomy of major vessels II. the differentiation of artery and vein in real-time ultrasound imaging III. the techniques of vessel selection 2. To increase their confidence level in performing ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous access
Methodology :
The 1-hour workshop was designed to include a 5-minute pre-test, 20-minute lecture, 30-minute hands-on practice on difficult vascular access phantoms, 5-minute post-test and a post workshop evaluation. The participants’ knowledge and confidence level of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous access were analyzed by using a demographic and ten-question questionnaire before and after the workshop.
Result & Outcome :
Emergency Nurses’ Knowledge The pre-test and post-test questionnaires showed a substantial increase in their understanding of the technique and its application. The mean score in pre-test was 4.2 (out of 10) with a great improvement to 9.2 in post-test (+119%, p<0.05). It was shown that participants had knowledge gain in ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous access after the workshop. Confidence Level in Performing Ultrasound-guided Peripheral Intravenous Access Participants showed a higher level of confidence in performing the skill after the workshop. In the workshop, 82% of Emergency Nurses had no previous knowledge or experience on ultrasound. The result showed that the mean confidence level increased by 46% from 1.5 to 2.2 (out of 5). Conclusions: This workshop aimed at enhancing Emergency Nurses’ knowledge and confidence level in performing ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous access. The evaluation affirmed the improvements in nurse participants’ knowledge and confidence level in performing the skill of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous access.
