Nurse-led epistaxis management within the emergency department.

BACKGROUND

the incidence of epistaxis has increased secondary to increased life expectancy and morbidities. This study sought to assess the knowledge, practice and opinion relating to adequacy of training of advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) and staff nurses (SNs) in the emergency department.

METHODS

a national survey was distributed over an 8-week period; this included a 3-point scoring system based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Clinical Knowledge Summaries guidance on epistaxis management to assess overall performance.

RESULTS

analysis included 109 ANPs and 101 SNs; 12% of ANPs achieved the maximum score, 40% scored 2, 25% scored 1, and 23% scored 0, while 14% of SNs achieved the maximum score, 24% scored 2, 29% scored 1, and 32% scored 0. Overall 88% of respondents advocated further training.

CONCLUSION

significant deficits in knowledge regarding epistaxis management were highlighted. Further training could help to empower patients in basic first aid measures, subsequently reducing admissions rates.