Pediatric Triage Educational Program for Improving Nurses' Performance regarding Head Injury

Abstract

Background: Head injury is a growing international public health problem among children. Pediatric triage is the keystone of organization of care in emergency centers. Aim of this study: Was to evaluate the effect of pediatric triage educational program on nurses' performance regarding head injury. Design: A quasi-experimental design was utilized to conduct this study. Setting: The study was conducted at Trauma Room and Pediatric Room of the General Emergency Department in Benha University Hospital. Sample: A convenient sample of 68 nurses and a purposive sample of 68 children with head injury were included and selected from the previously mentioned setting. Tools of data collection: Three tools were used, (I): A structured interviewing questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge related to pediatric triage and head injury. (II): Child medical assessment sheet to assess current medical condition and child's level of consciousness. (III): observational checklists to assess nurses' actual practice related to pediatric triage. Results: Majority of studied nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge in the pre-program phase. While most of them had satisfactory level of knowledge in the post-program implementation. All the studied nurses had incompetent level of actual practices related to pediatric triage in the pre-program phase. While most of them had competent level of actual practices in the post-program phase regarding pediatric triage. Conclusion: The educational program was effective method for improving the nurses' knowledge and actual practices regarding pediatric triage. Recommendation: Comprehensive educational programs related to pediatric triage are required to enhance nurses' performance.