Assessment of Nurses’ Application of Guidelines for Management of Children Undergoing Hemodialysis

Chronic renal failure (CRF) refers to progressive, irreversible impairment in renal function in which the body ability to maintain metabolic, fluid and electrolytes balance fails. Hemodialysis (HD) is the most common method used to treat CRF. Objective: Assess nurses’ application of guidelines for management of children undergoing HD. Setting: This study was conducted at the Kidney Dialysis Unit at Smouha University Children’s Hospital. Subjects: All nurses who are responsible for providing direct care for children undergoing HD admitted to the previously mentioned setting. Tool: One tool was used; Nurses' Application of Guidelines for Management of Children Undergoing Hemodialysis Observational Checklist. Results: Findings of the present study revealed that all nurses had "satisfactory" application scores about guidelines for management of children before, during and after HD as well as infection control precautions and documentation (100% for each). Conclusion: All nurses had "Satisfactory" application score about guidelines for management of children undergoing HD. Recommendations: Booklet about recent guidelines for management of children undergoing HD procedure should be available in HD unit.