[Evaluation of the knowledge of health professionals at a pediatric hospital regarding the use of metered-dose inhalers]. / Avaliação do conhecimento sobre o uso de inaladores dosimetrados entre profissionais de saúde de um hospital pediátrico.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate health professionals working at a tertiary pediatric hospital in terms of their knowledge regarding the practical use of metered-dose inhalers. METHODS: Practical and written tests on the use of metered-dose inhalers were applied to physicians, physical therapists, nurses and nursing assistants. A score from 0 to 10 was assigned to each evaluation, and median scores were calculated for each professional category. Questions with higher and lower correct values were identified, and a descriptive comparison was made regarding the performance of the various professional categories. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis method for comparison of medians. A sequential logistic multiple regression analysis was also performed. RESULTS: A total of 30 resident physicians or interns in the pediatrics department, 23 attending physicians, 29 physical therapists, 33 nurses and 31 nursing assistants were evaluated. Resident physicians, physical therapists and attending physicians performed significantly better than did nurses and nursing assistants. Only resident physicians had a median score greater than 6. CONCLUSIONS: The health professionals evaluated, particularly the nurses and nursing assistants, who are directly involved in the practical use of metered-dose inhalers, possess insufficient knowledge regarding the use of such inhalers.

Avaliação do conhecimento sobre o uso de inaladores dosimetrados entre profissionais de saúde de um hospital pediátrico / Evaluation of the knowledge of health professionals at a pediatric hospital regarding the use of metered-dose inhalers

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os conhecimentos sobre o uso e manejo de inaladores pressurizados dosimetrados entre profissionais de um hospital pediátrico terciário. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas avaliações sobre o conhecimento do uso de inaladores pressurizados dosimetrados através de questionários teóricos e práticos, com médicos, fisioterapeutas, enfermeiras e auxiliares de enfermagem, atribuindo-se uma nota de 0 a 10 para cada avaliação. Calcularam-se as medianas das notas obtidas pelos profissionais de cada categoria, as questões com maiores e menores índices de erros, e foi feita a comparação descritiva do desempenho das diversas categorias profissionais. A análise estatística foi feita através do método de Kruskal-Wallis de comparação de medianas. Também foi realizada a análise através de regressão logística múltipla seqüencial. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 30 médicos residentes ou estagiários de pediatria, 23 médicos assistentes, 29 fisioterapeutas, 33 enfermeiras e 31 auxiliares de enfermagem. Os médicos residentes, fisioterapeutas e médicos assistentes obtiveram desempenho significativamente superior aos dos enfermeiros e auxiliares de enfermagem. Apenas os médicos residentes obtiveram mediana superior a 6. CONCLUSÕES: O conhecimento a respeito do uso de inaladores dosimetrados entre os profissionais de saúde da instituição é insatisfatório, principalmente entre enfermeiros e auxiliares de enfermagem, diretamente envolvidos na aplicação prática dos inaladores dosimetrados.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate health professionals working at a tertiary pediatric hospital in terms of their knowledge regarding the practical use of metered-dose inhalers. METHODS: Practical and written tests on the use of metered-dose inhalers were applied to physicians, physical therapists, nurses and nursing assistants. A score from 0 to 10 was assigned to each evaluation, and median scores were calculated for each professional category. Questions with higher and lower correct values were identified, and a descriptive comparison was made regarding the performance of the various professional categories. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis method for comparison of medians. A sequential logistic multiple regression analysis was also performed. RESULTS: A total of 30 resident physicians or interns in the pediatrics department, 23 attending physicians, 29 physical therapists, 33 nurses and 31 nursing assistants were evaluated. Resident physicians, physical therapists and attending physicians performed significantly better than did nurses and nursing assistants. Only resident physicians had a median score greater than 6. CONCLUSIONS: The health professionals evaluated, particularly the nurses and nursing assistants, who are directly involved in the practical use of metered-dose inhalers, possess insufficient knowledge regarding the use of such inhalers.