Knowledge of Intensive Care Nurses Regarding the Monitoring of Early Enteral Nutrition

Abstract

Early initiated and uninterrupted enteral nutrition is associated with the reduction of disease severity, diminished complications, decreased hospital length of stay, and favourably affects the outcomes of critically ill patients. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of early enteral nutrition (EEN) monitoring among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in selected facilities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional design was followed. A total of 115 questionnaires were distributed and 70 were returned giving a response rate of 61 per cent. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 21. The results showed that younger and less experienced nurses in private hospitals were more knowledgeable about EEN than the nurses in public hospitals. Regarding tolerance and adequacy monitoring, 60 per cent of the respondents reported the availability of enteral nutrition protocols while 40 per cent of the respondents disagreed that the protocols were available, which clearly stated a lack of efficient monitoring practices. Further, the varied knowledge reported by ICU nurses could be related to unclear protocols regarding procedures to be followed in monitoring tolerance and complications of EEN in the ICUs. Nurses, as primary care providers, should be equipped with the necessary knowledge to be able to advocate for EEN and to monitor the tolerance and adequacy of nutrient delivery.

Associated ICU nurses' characteristics to clinical enteral nutrition knowledge at public hospitals in Sana'a, Yemen: A basis for remodeling safety and quality of care standards

“…The results are consistent with those of Penland 30 in relation to the respondents’ age, as the researcher reported that the respondents’ knowledge level was not significantly associated with age. However, our results are in disagreement with the results of studies by Taha and Said 16 and Mooi 31 in relation to the nurses’ age and years of working experience, as the researchers found that there was a highly statistically significant association between knowledge level regarding EN care and the respondents' age and previous working experience. This discrepancy might be attributed to the nature of training courses provided and the differences in the respondents' data, where it was found that young and newly graduated nurses had been more receptive, more tolerant and have a more potent memory.…”

Intensive care nurses' knowledge of enteral nutrition at public hospitals in Sana'a, Yemen: a cross-sectional survey

“…The results are consistent with those of Penland 29 in relation to the respondents' age, as the researcher reported that the respondents' knowledge level was not significantly associated with age. However, our results are in disagreement with the results of studies by Taha and Said 16 and Mooi 30 in relation to the nurses' age and years of working experience, as the researchers found that there was a highly statistically significant association between knowledge level regarding EN management and the respondents' age and previous working experience. This discrepancy might be attributed to the nature of training courses provided and the differences in the respondents' data, where it was found that young and newly graduated nurses had been more receptive, more tolerant and have a more potent memory.…”