Nurses’ Competence in Safety Blood Transfusion: The Impact of a Training Module

The Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a training module about safety blood transfusion on nurses’ competence. Methods: Pre experimental one group pre and post-test design was adopted. The study was conducted at the hematology department in Oncology Center Mansoura University Hospital. A convenient sample of 60 staff nurses were included. Data were collected by a structured interview questionnaire to assess nurses’ knowledge level and observation checklist to assess nurses’ practices pre, and post-blood transfusion training. Data were analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Revealed a highly statistically significant difference in the mean score of the nurses’ knowledge level and practice about safe blood transfusion pre and post the training intervention (p=0.001). There was a strong positive relation between nurses’ knowledge and practices scores post-training (r=0.745, P<0.000). Otherwise, it was observed that there was no correlation in the nurse’s knowledge or practice with age and years of experience. Data were presented using tables and charts. Conclusion: Training module on safety blood transfusion can positively improve nurses’ level of knowledge and practice. Recommendation: Ongoing in-service training to nurses at hematology units are essential to improve their knowledge and practice level. Evidence-based practices for blood transfusion should be integrated into the nursing curriculum. Keyword: Nurses’ Competence, Safety Blood Transfusion, Training module. Introduction Blood transfusions (BT) are a common life-saving treatment for patients. Its main goals are to treat recipients’ underlying disorders and to replace blood loss, to increase the oxygencarrying capacity of the blood in patients with anemia, to give blood exchange, to nourish the tissue with oxygen, to prevent bleeding and coagulation disorders(1). Errors in the transfusion procedure often cause serious problems for the recipient, also severe and fatal reactions are not rare. As there is a possibility of an error occurring at every step of the blood transfusion procedure, close cooperation between health care providers and adequate knowledge is essential for the proper use of blood products and safe blood transfusion (2). It is estimated that out of every 13,000 blood transfusions patients, one error occurs most often due to human errors that can be avoided by proper education and redevelopment in transfusion protocols (3). The most common causes of errors during the blood transfusion process are wrong blood group transfusions (inappropriate ABO), improper storage, and uncertain patient identity. These errors are related to insufficient training of nurses and lack of experience due to the lack of blood transfusion activities in some hospital wards (4). In 2008 safe blood defined as the blood that does not cause disease or pose a danger to the recipient and does not contain harmful or infectious agents (5). Nurses’ competence in administering blood transfusion Corresponding Author: Hanan Mohamed Mohamed Soliman Hanansoliman697@ymail.comhanansolaiman@mans. edu.eg, ORCID ID0000-0002-5768-7902 26 International Journal of Nursing Education, July-September 2021, Vol.13, No. 3 is a critical factor conditioning safety-high quality transfusion therapy (6). Several studies have been implemented on the nurses’ knowledge level and practice about blood transfusion indicated that the nurses did not have adequate experience regarding safe blood transfusion skills, prevention of potential adverse reactions, and blood transfusion standards(7,8). It appears essential to improve nurses’ knowledge and practice to confirm the safety of this intervention. Significance of the study Reports of the World Health Organization indicated that more than nine million recipients in 90 different countries receive blood annually.It is recognized about 70% of all reported adverse events related toimproper transfusion. Additionally, half of these events involve more than one transfusion error (7). The quality, effectiveness, and safety of blood transfusions are based on nurses’ knowledge and practice. Inappropriate BT practice may lead to complications that may threaten patients’ safety and/or the death of some recipients.In 2008, the American Association of Registered Nurses recommended that there was an urgent need to train and educate nurses about the hazards of blood transfusion, the latest safety guidelines, and clinical decision-making, it also directed the necessity to check nurses’ knowledge and practices regularly (9) . Many studies have been done in developed countries to assess the knowledge and practice of nurses concerning blood transfusion, however, few studies have been conducted in developing countries, especially Egypt. Therefore, the current study will cover this gap. This research study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a training module about safety blood transfusion on nurses’ competence. Aim of the Study The present research study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a training module about safety blood transfusion on nurses’ competence through the following objectives: 1.Assess nurses’ knowledge level about safety blood transfusion pre and post module implementation. 2.Evaluate nurses’ level of practice about safety blood transfusion preand post-module implementation. 3.Design and implement training module according to actual nurses’ needs about safety blood transfusion. 4.Analyze the correlation between nurses’ knowledge, practice scores and their sociodemographic characteristics. Hypotheses H1.The studied nurse who participates in the safe blood transfusion training module will have a higher knowledge score post implementation than preimplementation score. H2.The studied nurse who participates in the safe blood transfusion training module will have a higher practice score post-implementation than pre -implementation score. H3.There is a relationship betweensociodemographic variables andnurses’ knowledgeand practice scores.