Effect of Partial-Task Trainer on Ward Nurses' Evidence-Based Suctioning Knowledge and Skills: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND

Suctioning is an essential yet invasive procedure to ensure airway patency in patients with artificial airways. Improper suctioning can cause severe complications. While intensive care nurses are well-studied, ward nurses managing such patients are underexplored.

AIMS: This study evaluated ward nurses' knowledge and skills in endotracheal suctioning and assessed the impact of structured education on their performance using a partial-task trainer.

SETTING AND

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 45 ward nurses from surgical and medical departments in a university hospital.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Data were collected using a Descriptive Characteristics Form, Suctioning Knowledge Questionnaire, and Suctioning Skills Evaluation Form. Nurses attended a four-hour training session, including theoretical and practical components, followed by post-training assessments. A paired-samples t-test was conducted to assess the differences in knowledge and skills before and after the education and practical skill sessions. Inter-rater agreement was measured using inter-item correlation and intra-class correlation.

RESULTS

Nurses' knowledge and skills improved significantly after training. Self-assessed skills scores decreased post-training, indicating greater self-awareness. Post-training, knowledge improved in oxygenation, catheter size selection, positioning, and saline use. Skills showed significant improvement in monitoring hemodynamics, informing patients, catheter withdrawal, hyperoxygenation, and documentation. Inter-rater reliability was high, as measured by inter-item correlation and intra-class correlation.

CONCLUSION

Structured education effectively enhances ward nurses' knowledge and skills in suctioning, improving critical practices like oxygenation and hemodynamic monitoring. The decline in self-assessment scores highlights increased critical evaluation of practices. Regular training is crucial for maintaining competency, ensuring patient safety, and minimizing complications.