Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice of Eye Care for Patients in Intensive Care Units in West Bank رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

Background Taking care of patients' eyes is an important nursing skill. Nurses must be capable to provide a standard assessment of the eye and vision as well as provide necessary care. Intensive care unit nurses typically focus on life-threatening issues while giving little attention to corneal injury. Objective of the study The purpose of this study is to assess Nurses knowledge and Practice of Eye care for Patients in Intensive Care Units in West Bank. Method A cross sectional study conducted on all Intensive Care Units nurses from governmental hospitals in West Bank. Data was collected by self-administered questionnaire which was developed by the researcher. Results One hundred and fifty-two nurses participated in this study. The mean age of nurses was 31.2 (SD= 7.5) years. Only 0.7% had good knowledge level, 7.2% had fair knowledge level, and 25.7% had good practice level of eye care for patients in intensive care unit. The knowledge of patients’ eye care in intensive care unit and an eye care protocol or policy for unconscious patients were the significant predictors of practice (p < 0.001). Also, lack of education among nurses was the main barrier of patients’ eye care practice (60.5%). XI Conclusion The study confirmed that the nurses had poor knowledge, and inadequate practice of eye care for patients in ICU. The nurse’s knowledge of patients’ eye care in ICU and an eye care protocol or policy for unconscious patients were the significant predictors of practice. In addition, lack of education among nurses was the main barrier of patients’ eye care practice