Barriers affecting safe practice of oxygen administration to critical ill children

Background

Oxygen therapy is life-saving and part of first-line treatment for critically ill children with cardiopulmonary diseases. However, pediatric nurses face several barriers when administering oxygen therapy to pediatric patients. This study aims to assess the barriers that affect the safe practice of oxygen administration in critically ill children.

Methods

A descriptive design was used in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Alexandria University Children's Hospital at El-Shatby and Smouha. The study recruited 60 nurses working in the PICU. Two tools were utilized to collect the necessary data: the Nurses' Safe Practices Regarding Oxygen Administration for Critically Ill Children Observational Checklist and the Nurses' Obstacles Regarding Safe Oxygen Administration for Critically Ill Children Assessment Tool.

Results

It was found that about two-thirds of nurses had unsatisfactory practices, while one-third of them had fair practices. In addition, all of the nurses reported that the unavailability of clinical guidelines for oxygen administration and the lack of training courses about oxygen therapy guidelines are among the barriers related to oxygen administration for critically ill children.

Conclusion

The current study concluded that there was a gap in the nurses' safe practices of oxygen administration. Nurses face many barriers that interfere with the safe administration of oxygen therapy.

Recommendation

Regular practical training sessions about safe practices of oxygen therapy are recommended to increase the level of practice among nurses. Besides, establishing standard policies and procedures for clinical guidelines for safe practices of oxygen administration.