Effective Knowledge Management for Hospital Nurses

Knowledge Management (KM) tools and processes, while established in many industries, are relatively new to healthcare. Healthcare organizations resemble virtual organizations that build flexible and dynamic care networks of multiple medical providers and professionals to address a patient’s needs. This research studies the major factors impacting knowledge management strategy and processes in the clinical nursing function in a large metropolitan area hospital. Empirical data has been collected and analyzed to understand what infrastructure components and process capabilities are the most important contributors to KM effectiveness in floor nursing. The results indicate that technology can play a pivotal role in KM initiatives among nurses, provided it supports the processes involved with knowledge acquisition and application to solving new problems. The findings have implications for the selection and deployment of information technology to enable knowledge management

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice and Associated Factors Towards Post-Operative Pain Management Among Nurses Working at St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2019

Background: Patients’ recovery after surgery is one of the most important health processes in hospital healthcare. Effective pain management requires precise knowledge; attitude and competent assessment skills on practice.  There is limited evidence on nurses’ knowledge, attitude and practice of post-operative pain management (POPM) in Ethiopia. The present study aimed to assess Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Nurses Regarding POPM at St. Paul’s Hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Objective: To assess factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice on postoperative pain management practice among nurses at St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College. Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional survey will be used. Study Area: St. Paul referral hospital. Source population: All surgical and operation room (OR) nurses of St. Paul’s hospital. Study Period is from April- July 2019. Result: The result of this study shows that generally nurses are knowledgeable in POPM. The result reveals that 23(14%) of surgical nurses have in adequate knowledge and 146 (86 %) have adequate knowledge regarding POPM. in attitude study nurses showed negative attitude towards the questioners they were given. Nurses tend to have poor practice regarding POPM according to this study. Conclusion: The results also show that the nurses have negative attitudes regarding patients experiencing pain and the use of placebo. The study found that the practices of nurses related to POPM pain are at low level. As the nurses are the most important parts in the multidisciplinary approach in pain management, their knowledge and attitude make a big difference on practice POPM. So, there is a need for regular in-service education on pop management according to the recommendation of standard. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Post-Operative, Pain Management, Nurses DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/69-03 Publication date:March 31st 2021

Determinants of nurses’ knowledge gap on pain management in Ghana

There are concerns about adequacy of nurses’ knowledge and skill in effective pain management since effective pain management promotes early recovery after surgery. This study explores factors that accounted for Ghanaian nurses’ inadequate knowledge of postoperative pain management using a focused ethnographic design for data collection at a tertiary teaching hospital in Ghana. Fourteen nurses designated as key informants with different backgrounds as nurse educators and leaders were purposively sampled to participate. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews; all interviews were conducted in English, audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. The study revealed that nurses’ inadequate pain management knowledge might have resulted from curriculum gaps during training; inadequate clinical supervision, study days, and workshops for practising nurses; lack of funding for organising regular workshops; and, negative attitudes of nurses whereby new information learned at workshops was not readily applied in clinical practice. It was concluded that nursing curricula at all levels of training in Ghana should incorporate credit-bearing courses on pain management, and appropriate pain management education programmes should be instituted for practising nurses. Regular monitoring and evaluation of the impact of such education programs is required.Web of Scienc

Nurses\u27 Perceptions of the Pharmacological Management of Acute Pain Experienced by Patients Hospitalised in the General Ward Setting

This study explored and described the experiences and perceptions of nurses managing acute pain in a Western Australian public hospital. The focus was nurses practising in the general ward setting and using current prescribing guidelines. The aim of this research was to explore nurses\u27 attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about pain and pain pharmacology and how this practice setting influences efficient pain management. Qualitative methodology was selected for its ability to explore complex issues in order to build nursing knowledge and guide nursing practice. This study used a descriptive, exploratory design based on a phenomenological approach. The sample comprised ten Registered Nurses who were working on general surgical wards in an acute care public hospital. Data were collected from tape recorded semi-structured interviews. Analysis encompassed transcription, coding and categorising of data that enabled concepts and themes to emerge. Nurses\u27 attitudes, beliefs and knowledge were examined. Nurses were found to accept the subjectivity of pain, to believe patients\u27 self reports of pain and to be generally supportive of numerical pain rating scales. Elderly patients and patients with a history of intravenous drug use were identified as groups that might be disadvantaged in regard to pain management in the general ward setting. Nurses\u27 roles as patient advocates and independent managers of pain at the bedside were highlighted and the lack of consistent pain management across nursing shills was identified as a problem that is potentially widespread. Continuing difficulties were acknowledged when analgesic medications were prescribed to be given as required, rather than on fixed time regimes. In recognition of this, nurses were supportive of the administration of regular analgesia. The hospital\u27s Acute Pain Service was perceived to be a valuable resource and non-pharmacological pain management strategies were recognised as an effective adjunct to analgesic medication and important to nurses\u27 independent practice. Effective pain management is a humane response to suffering, as well as being cost-effective for the health system in terms of reducing inpatient complications. This study provided an indication of current issues in acute pain management from the perspective of nurses in the ward setting. Implications for clinical practice and directions for future research are provided

Knowledge and Attitudes in Pain Relief Management Among Private Hospital Nurses

For both nurses and patients, effective pain relief management is critical. Relieving patients’ pain and suffering are considered the responsibility of nurses. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. The Nurses Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Pain Questionnaire was used to measure the nurses’ level of knowledge and attitude toward pain assessment and management. The results showed a lack of knowledge among nurses regarding pain relief management. It started with the fundamental question regarding the usage of the vital sign as reliable indicators of the intensity of a patient’s pain. 90.6% (145) of the nurses answered ‘True’, but the correct answer was ‘False’, and only 9.4% (15) of the nurses gave the correct answer. We found out that 60% (96) of nurses believed that patients should not receive opioid treatment even if they are in pain. This study discovered that the level of knowledge on pain relief management among nurses in the private hospital was inadequate. The patients should receive appropriate treatment to relieve the pain regardless of their history of substance abuse. This perception on the nurses could prevent some of the patients from their right to being pain-free

Understanding Nurses\u27 Knowledge Work

Hospitals are increasingly investing in technologies and electronic knowledge management systems to improve patient care outcomes. Yet, effective implementation of these initiatives has been difficult with questionable return on investment outcomes (Ontario Hospital Association [OHA], 2007, 2008). Paton (2009) argues that understanding how employees put their knowledge into action at work is essential to successful knowledge management for organizations. Thus, strategies that target nurses’ knowledge work may be more effective for hospitals; particularly in times of mounting fiscal deficits and demands for health services. This study examined the behaviors, influences, and outcomes of nurses’ knowledge work. The hypothesized model was based on Kelloway & Barling’s (2000) knowledge work theory; explaining the impact of empowering leadership on nurses’ accountability, role-breadth self-efficacy, and control over practice to influence their knowledge work behaviours and ultimately, patient care delivery outcomes. The model was tested on a random sample of 318 registered nurses in Ontario, and initially demonstrated poor fit with the observed data; with further refinement to improve the overall model fit [χ2(df) = 512.66 (199), p \u3c .001, SRMR = .064, CFI = .91, RMSEA = .071]. Final model results suggest that empowering leadership practices increase nurses’ knowledge work behaviors, which subsequently enhances their care coordination activities and patient care quality. Empowering leadership specifically increases nurses’ knowledge work by positively influencing their accountability and role-breadth self-efficacy, but not control over practice. This study is among the first to identify the behaviors by which nurses’ demonstrate their knowledge work, and the process by which empowering leadership influences such work behaviors to improve patient care quality

Prevalence of Pressure Ulcers with the Study of the Impact of Pressure Ulcer Educational Program on Registered Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice in Prince Miteb Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Sakaka City, Saudi Arabia

Critically ill patients are at high risk for pressure ulcers. Prevalence differs based on settings but is 25% on the average. Cost of its treatment is two and a half times the cost of preventing them. Its development is an index of poor Nursing care. Nursing remains at the forefront of protecting and safeguarding the patient from pressure ulcers. Successful prevention of pressure ulcers requires that caregivers have adequate knowledge of this complication and preventive practice measures. This study describe the prevalence of pressure ulcers among inpatients of ICU and CCU departments, assess intensive care nurses’ knowledge and practice about pressure ulcers management and the impact of an educational program on knowledge and practice. An experimental research design was adopted to conduct the study on (39) nurses working in Intensive Care Units  of Prince Miteb Bin Abdulaziz  Hospital, Sakaka City, Saudi Arabia. Two tools were used for data collection: Knowledge questionnaire sheet and observation checklist. Completion of the educational program resulted in improved levels of nurses' knowledge  and practice regarding PU management. Findings of the present study suggest continued nursing education for the enrichment of nurses' knowledge and augmenting their practices about identification, prevention and management of pressure ulcer is effective in minimizing pressure ulcer for immobilized patients. Keywords: key words, Nurses’ Knowledge, Nurses’ Practice, Pressure Ulcer Prevention, educational programs

Knowledge and the Use of Pain Assessment Among Critical Care and Surgical Nurses in the Management of Pain in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

Abstract Effective pain assessment is attributed to be the basis upon which pain can be managed efficiently and should be routinely undertaken for all postoperative procedures. An individual’s response to pain is peculiar and depends on the person and as such pain should be assessed on individual basis. This study aimed at examining the use of pain assessment scale in pain management among nurses in critical care and surgical areas of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. The study employed descriptive cross-sectional design. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 148 nurses across 5 units within the area of study. Descriptive statistics like frequency, mean, standard deviation and percentage were used to describe distribution of data. Descriptive statistics were utilized in data assessing the distribution of data. Pearson’s rank correlation was used in determining the relationship between knowledge and level of utilization of pain scales in pain management at the p=0.05 level of significance. A total of 148 study participants were involved in this study. More than half of the nurses, 79 (58.5%), were females; 53 (39.3%) of them were in the age category of 34-39 years. The magnitude of good knowledge towards pain management among nurses was 67.4% with a mean score of 16.41 ± 3.902. The magnitude for the level of utilization of pain assessment scale in pain management was 80% with a mean score of 4.30 ± 0.381.There is a positive relationship between knowledge and utilization of pain assessment scale in pain management with r=0.215. The study revealed that nurses working in critical care and surgical areas of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto had good knowledge, and utilize pain assessment tool in pain management than those reported in previous studies in southern Nigeria. Keywords: Pain,  knowledge,  Utilizatio

Pain management knowledge among medical ward nurses in Malaysia

Pain, a common symptom for patients in medical wards, can be relieved by effective pain management, with nurses playing a vital role in this regard. A study was undertaken to determine the knowledge of nurses on pain management and to examine the factors that influence their acquisition of such knowledge. A total of 143 medical ward nurses (representing 60% response) in a government referral hospital in Malaysia participated in the study. Data from this study derived from a set of questionnaires were analysed using 2 x 2 contingency tables and the chi squared test with Yate’s correction. Approximately two thirds of the nurses were deficit in knowledge regarding pain management, registering a mean knowledge score of 40.5 out of a possible 100 points. There was no significant association between the level of knowledge on pain management and demographic characteristics such as age and work experience. There was also no significant relationship between the level of knowledge on pain management and the pain courses attended. A better understanding of the factors that affect the acquisition of such knowledge could provide useful information that can be incorporated in an improved educational program on pain management for nurses

A theory-based educational intervention targeting nurses' attitudes and knowledge concerning cancer-related pain management: A study protocol of a quasi-experimental design

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pain is one of the most frequent problems among patients diagnosed with cancer. Despite the availability of effective pharmacological treatments, this group of patients often receives less than optimal treatment. Research into nurses' pain management highlights certain factors, such as lack of knowledge and attitudes and inadequate procedures for systematic pain assessment, as common barriers to effective pain management. However, educational interventions targeting nurses' pain management have shown promise. As cancer-related pain is also known to have a negative effect on vital aspects of the patient's life, as well as being commonly associated with problems such as sleep, fatigue, depression and anxiety, further development of knowledge within this area is warranted.</p> <p>Methods/design</p> <p>A quasi-experimental study design will be used to investigate whether the implementation of guidelines for systematic daily pain assessments following a theory-based educational intervention will result in an improvement in knowledge and attitude among nurses. A further aim is to investigate whether the intervention that targets nurses' behaviour will improve hospital patients' perception of pain. Data regarding nurses' knowledge and attitudes to pain (primary outcome), patient perception regarding pain (secondary outcome), together with socio-demographic variables, will be collected at baseline and at four weeks and 12 weeks following the intervention.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Nursing care is nowadays acknowledged as an increasingly complicated activity and "nursing complexity is such that it can be seen as the quintessential complex intervention." To be able to change and improve clinical practice thus requires multiple points of attack appropriate to meet complex challenges. Consequently, we expect the theory-based intervention used in our quasi-experimental study to improve care as well as quality of life for this group of patients and we also envisage that evidence-based guidelines targeting this patient group's pain will be implemented more widely.</p> <p>Trial Registration Number</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01313234">NCT01313234</a></p