Confidence level in venipuncture and knowledge on causes of in vitro hemolysis among healthcare professionals.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess confidence level of healthcare professionals in venipuncture and their knowledge on the possible causes of in vitro hemolysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 94 healthcare professionals (nurses and laboratory technicians) participated in this survey study. A four-section questionnaire was used as a research instrument comprising general information for research participants, knowledge on possible causes of in vitro hemolysis due to type of material used and venipuncture technique and specimen handling, as well as assessment of healthcare professionals' confidence level in their own ability to perform first and last venipuncture. RESULTS: The average score on the knowledge test was higher in nurses' than in laboratory technicians (8.11±1.7, and 7.4±1.5, respectively). The difference in average scores was statistically significant (P=0.035) and Cohen's d in the range of 0.4 indicates that there is a moderate difference on the knowledge test among the health care workers. Only 11/94 of healthcare professionals recognized that blood sample collection from cannula and evacuated tube is method which contributes most to the occurrence of in vitro hemolysis, whereas most risk factors affecting occurrence of in vitro hemolysis during venipuncture were recognized. There were no significant differences in mean score on the knowledge test in relation to the confidence level in venipuncture (P=0.551). CONCLUSION: Confidence level at last venipuncture among both profiles of healthcare staff was very high, but they showed insufficient knowledge about possible factors affecting hemolysis due to materials used in venipuncture compared with factors due to venipuncture technique and handling of blood sample.

[CE credits and nursing personnel: a survey in Torino hospitals]. / L'acquisizione di crediti ECM da parte del personale infermieristico: indagine negli ospedali torinesi.

After the implementation of the law on Continuing Education in Medicine (ECM) at the beginning of 2002, the nurses must gain 150 continuing education credits in 5 years. The credits are assigned by a central committee and reflect the time spent and the quality of the course. The aim of this survey was to explore if the nurses are aware of this law, if they attend to continuing education initiatives (CEI) and the number of credits gained. The data were collected with a questionnaire distributed in 13 hospitals to 10 nurses working in each different area: medicine, surgery, emergency services, home care etc. Six hundred eighty five questionnaires were returned and 11.3% nurses (78) did not participate to any CEI during the year 2002, mainly for financial of family problems. Most CEI (39.3%) were attended to during the last three months of the year; only 8% of the nurses gained 5 or less credits (the minimum to be obtained in one year). The hospital organizes and finances the costs of 892 CEI (61%) and 70% of the CEI are attended during working hours. The survey highlights the investment of the NHS hospitals of Torino area in CEIs for the nursing personnel. And the effect of the ECM on the participation to CEIs.

Nurses' perceptions of the impact of continuing professional education on the quality of nursing care.

The purpose of this study was to understand what impact nurses perceived continuing professional education (CPE) to have on the quality of nursing care. Given that CPE will become mandatory once the necessary legislation has been implemented, the value and worth of CPE with regard to the quality of nursing care, in both a consumer-led and financially-driven NHS, merits serious consideration. Little research has been conducted into the real impact that CPE has on the quality of nursing care and this paper begins by providing an overview of the current debate within the profession. The method chosen for the study was qualitative and 18 nurses from a large hospital in the South of England were interviewed. The data were analysed using the grounded theory method and three categories emerged. The categories are described in detail and reveal some of the problems with which the nursing profession is faced. The study demonstrates how issues of finance were particularly high, with service managers sometimes negating nurses' CPE needs. However, the study reveals the real importance that nurses attached to CPE in supporting their professional status and the real impact that CPE and knowledge have on professional competence and the quality of patient care.