Assessment of Nurses' Performance Regarding Management of Patients Undergoing Peripheral Vascular Access

Background: The vascular catheters uses is common in both inpatient and outpatient care that play an integral role in modern health care and are of great clinical value for supporting patient's status. Nursing management of peripheral vascular lines is important. A Comprehensive understanding of the procedure has a great value in order to reduce the complications arising from peripheral vascular lines. All staff must be aware of all aspect of care and the principles of safe insertion, injection, dressing change and flushing procedure. Aim:of the study was to assess nurses' performance regarding management of patients undergoing peripheral vascular access. Subjects and methods: A descriptive research design was utilized in this study.   The studysettingwas conducted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and medical departments at El –Azhar University hospital in Damietta. Subjects consisted of 50 nurses. Tools:two tools were used for data collections and developed by the investigators.  First tool: interview questionnaire sheet to assess nurses' demographic characteristics, information regarding peripheral vascular access and factors affect nurses' performance regarding peripheral vascular access.  Second tool:  observational checklist for nurses practice. Results: reveled that nurses' total score of knowledge was 78% and total score of practice was 74%, no relation could be revealed between nurses' knowledge and practice whereas (p value <0.05). Conclusion: nurses' total score of knowledge and practice were satisfactory, no significant relation could be revealed between nurses' knowledge and practice. Recommendations: The study recommended development of educational courses and in-service training to increase nurses' knowledge and practice.