Strengthening of Knowledge and Skills on Patient Safety of Nursing Officers’ in a Teaching Hospital in Sri-Lanka

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to strengthen knowledge and skills on patient safety of Nursing Officers’ in a Teaching Hospital as they are in direct contact with patients throughout the day. The study was carried out in Colombo South Teaching Hospital in three phases. In the first phase (pre-intervention), the existing/baselines knowledge and skills were assessed, training need was analyzed and designed and the training module was developed. In the second phase

(intervention), a training course was designed and implemented. In the third phase (post- intervention), the change of knowledge and skills and the feedback assessment was carried out

in order to find out whether any adjustments are necessary for the designed module were done. The Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) model was used as the tool in this regard. The information gathered was incorporated in to the training

programme with the guidance and direction of a working committee comprising experts. Self- Administered Questionnaire (SAQ) and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

were used to assess the knowledge and skills respectively, during both pre and post interventions. The Nursing Officers in surgical and surgical related wards, performing 24 hours duty/ shift basis are considered as the total population. A convenient sample of 50 Nursing Officers was recruited for the study considering the number of Nursing Officers working in each ward, in order to minimize service interruptions in the ward. The results of pre-intervention were considered as the baselines of knowledge and skills. In the first phase the training need was assessed, and the blue print of the course was designed. At the end of second phase the training programmes was successfully conducted to the target group. During post intervention phase, the improvement in knowledge and skills were assessed. There were significant improvements in knowledge, in “ward environment and systems safety”, “adverse events and near misses”, “medication safety and “communication”. There were significant improvements in skills in “risk and prevention” , “adverse events and near misses”, “infection control”, “medication safety” and certain aspects of “communication” such as “receipt calls “and “admission” .This project revealed that this training course is very much effective in strengthening knowledge and skills on patient safety of Nursing Officers.