FACTORS INFLUENCING MANAGEMENT OF IMMOBILIZED PATIENTS AMONG NURSES IN ORTHOPEDIC WARDS AT JOOTRH.

Abstract

Although critical illness and injury require various degrees of bed rest or immobilization, immobility itself has been found to have negative complications on patient’s health. Nurses play the greatest role in implementing interventions to prevent these complications since they spend the greatest amount of time with the patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing proper management of immobilized patients by nurses in orthopedic ward of JOOTRH. A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted for this study. A total of 24 nurses working in the orthopedic ward were selected conveniently to participate in the study. Data was collected using structured and self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done with the aid of Microsoft Excel software. A majority (62.5%, n=15) of the participants were female and were aged 30 and below. The individual factors that might be affecting proper nursing care of immobilized patients include low level of nursing education, few years of professional experience, limited knowledge on the elements of proper nursing care of immobilized patients, lack of CMES, and lack of motivation to provide proper nursing care. Moreover, the facility-related factors influencing proper nursing care of immobilized patients are lack of appropriate supportive supervision, low nurse: patient staffing ratio, as well as lack of a good multidisciplinary collaboration. The researcher recommends the nursing management of JOOTRH should organize continuous medical education to train nurses on proper nursing care of immobilized patients, provide the necessary resources and equipment. Moreover, a study involving all nurses should be done.