Enhancing Nurses Knowledge of High-Alert Medications: The Impact of Educational Intervention in a Tertiary Care Cardiac Hospital, Karachi

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an educational intervention on nurses' knowledge regarding the administration and regulation of high-alert medications in a tertiary care cardiac hospital in Karachi. Methodology: The study included 60 nurses working across various critical units of the hospital, including the emergency department (ED), intensive care unit (ICU), critical care unit (CCU), and special care unit/heart failure unit (SCU/HFU). A quasi-experimental design with a single group before and after education was employed. Self-administered surveys were conducted, and each participant provided informed consent. Pre-intervention knowledge assessments were conducted, followed by an educational intervention. Post-intervention knowledge assessments were conducted one week later. Results: Sixty nurses participated in both pre- and post-education tests. Prior to the intervention, nurses scored an average of 10.7 ± 2.84 out of 20 points, which increased to 14.56 ± 2.81 after the intervention. The difference in mean scores before and after training was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Factors affecting nurses' pre-test and post-test scores showed a significant p-value of < 0.001, except for the marital status of single nurses, which had a p-value of 0.03. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant impact of educational intervention on nurses' understanding of drug administration and regulation of high-alert medications. The findings highlight the importance of ongoing education and training initiatives to enhance nurses' knowledge and practice in medication management, ultimately contributing to patient safety.