DefinePK

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the top causes of disability and deaths in the world. However, Pakistan has 81 TBI cases for per 100,000 residents, with a 15% death rate. In order to lower excessive intracranial pressure in brain injury patients, external ventricular drains (EVDs) are frequently used to remove cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Nursing practices with reference to the care of patients with EVD are greatly improved by EVD care guidelines. Therefore, it is crucial to implement EVD care guidelines in order to enhance their current procedures for EVD care. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of nursing guidelines on practices of nurses caring for traumatic brain injury patients with external ventricular drain in a public hospital of Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A quasi experimental study was conducted. Sample size contained 50 registered nurses. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect the data. A four-week education intervention was delivered to the participant nurses. Through the use of validated questionnaires, information on nurses' practices was gathered twice, before and after the intervention. Results: The study found that nurses' practices had significantly improved (p< 0.001) following the education. The practices had been competent as post- intervention practices are improved to 32 (64%) from pre- intervention practices 12(24%). Conclusions: Guidelines for the care of External Ventricular Drains (EVDs) have a statistically significant impact on nurses' education in EVD care. Guidelines for EVD care considerably improve the nursing practices and reduced EVD consequences in patients with traumatic brain injuries.