Invasive haemodynamic monitoring at critical care units in Sudan: Assessment of nurses′ performance

Background: Invasive haemodynamic monitoring is one of the major competencies required for critical care nurses. Critically ill patients need continuous assessment of their cardiovascular system to diagnose and manage complex medical conditions. Aim: This study aimed to assess critical care nurses′ knowledge and practice of invasive haemodynamic monitoring in Khartoum government hospitals. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted. It included ninety critical care nurses who worked in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of Khartoum government hospitals that have invasive haemodynamic monitoring system. The study extended from March 2013 to April 2014. Data were collected from ninety critical care nurses working in selected ICUs; using a validated questionnaire. The data were analysed by the Statistical Package for Social Services Version 20. Results: The results showed that availability of written protocols regarding invasive haemodynamic monitoring within ICUs was low (34.3%). The overall knowledge of critical care nurses (who participated in the study) about invasive haemodynamic monitoring was not acceptable. The results also showed that the estimated total practice of the registered nurses who participated in the study was either fair (75.6%) or poor (24.4%). This study indicated that critical care nurses′ knowledge was poor to fair and that of registered nurses′ practice was poor. Conclusion: The study showed unacceptable level of nurses′ knowledge on haemodynamic monitoring. The nurses′ practice about was poor.