Effect of Implementing Evidence-Based Nursing Practices Guidelines Related to Post-Partum Care on Maternity Nurses' Performance

Abstract

Context: Delivering high-quality care that improves patients' health outcomes necessitates using evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP).
 Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of implementing evidence-based nursing practice guidelines related to postpartum care on maternity nurses' performance.
 Methods: One group (pre/post-test) is studied in a quasi-experimental study. The study was carried out at the postnatal unit of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Benha University Hospital. A convenient sample included all maternity nurses working in the previously mentioned setting. Three tools are used for data collection: A self-administered questionnaire includes an assessment of socio-demographic characteristics of the studied maternity nurses, an assessment of maternity nurses' knowledge regarding evidence-based practices about postpartum care, an observational checklist regarding evidence-based nursing practice during the postpartum period, and barriers scale of nurses in implementing evidence-based practices.
 Results: The study revealed a mean nurses' age of 33.6±9.867, and 55.4% had baccalaureate degrees in nursing sciences. 60% of them depend on the internet as a source of information. The present study findings a highly statistically significant difference between pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and follow-up (p<0.0001) regarding nurses' knowledge and practice concerning postpartum evidence-based nursing practice. The barriers assessment revealed that 84.5% of the nurses agreed they did not have time to read the research.
 Conclusion: Maternity nurses' performance in postpartum care significantly improved after implementing evidence-based practice guidelines. The study recommended encouraging continuous educational training programs and workshops for nurses regarding evidence-based nursing in obstetrics and gynecological unit.