Registered nurses' knowledge and care practices regarding patients with dysphagia in Saudi Arabia

A comparison of Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of nurses on nursing Post-stroke dysphagia patients between iii-A and ii-A hospitals in China: a propensity score-matched analysis

Background

Whether knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses on nursing post-stroke dysphagia patients varies between different ranking hospitals is still unknown. This study aimed to compare the knowledge, attitude and practice level of nurses on nursing post-stroke dysphagia patients between iii-A and ii-A hospitals in China.

Design

A cross-sectional study design was used.

Methods

Data were collected from eighteen hospitals in Wuhan, Hubei in May–July 2020, and a total of 824 nurses were recruited by convenient sampling. After propensity score matching, 205 participants in iii-A hospitals were matched with 205 participants in ii-A hospitals.

Results

There were no statistically differences in the socio-demographic characteristics between two groups after propensity score matching. Before matching, the regression coefficients between hospital ranking and knowledge, attitude, practice were -0.415, -0.718 and -1.855, respectively. After matching, the coefficients changed to -0.394, -0.824 and -1.278. Nurses from iii-A hospitals had higher knowledge and attitude scores than nurses from ii-A hospitals, but no significant practice scores difference was observed between various rankings of hospitals.

Conclusions

The KAP of nurses on nursing post-stroke dysphagia patients were different in iii-A and ii-A hospitals. Administrators should strengthen management, provide more learning resources and trainings to meet nurses’ needs about methods to deal with and recognize dysphagia, so as to further improve the quality of post-stroke dysphagia management.

The Effectiveness of International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative-Tailored Interventions on Staff Knowledge and Texture-Modified Diet Compliance in Aged Care Facilities: A Pre-Post Study

Background

The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) has created global standardized definitions for texture-modified diets (TMDs) and thickened liquids to improve the safety and care for individuals with swallowing difficulties. The IDDSI framework guides health care facilities, such as aged care, to provide food to at-risk patients.

Objectives

This study aims to design, deliver, and evaluate a tailored intervention to facilitate IDDSI implementation in aged care.

Methods

Five aged care facilities received tailored interventions, which were guided by the Expert Recommendation for Implementing Change process and used the corresponding barriers identified in the previous study: 1) tailored material, delivery, and planning; 2) opinion leaders and professional input; 3) strategies to attract and involve staff; and 4) reflections and evaluations. Meal compliance against IDDSI standards and staff knowledge acquisition were the primary outcomes evaluating the impact of the intervention. Written consent was obtained from facility managers. Staff trainings were delivered by a dietitian, accompanied with electronic and printed materials. An audit was conducted on all items listed on the TMD daily menu (lunch, dinner, and midmeals). TMD IDDSI audits and staff self-administered surveys were conducted before and 6 mo after the intervention.

Results

Audits of 68 and 79 TMD meals/items were conducted pre- and postintervention, respectively. Significant improvement in meal compliance was found in all 3 levels of TMDs, including soft and bite-sized (50%; P = 0.0001), minced and moist (44%; P = 0.0024), and puréed (42%; P = 0.0024). The overall IDDSI compliance increased by 46% postintervention (P < 0.0001). Staff achieved higher scores in both dysphagia and IDDSI knowledge sections (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Tailored interventions facilitated IDDSI implementation in aged care evidenced by increased TMD compliance and staff knowledge, which remained at 6 mo postintervention.

Knowledge and Perception of Registered Nurses Regarding the Scope of Practice of Speech-Language Pathologists

Objective: To assess the knowledge and perception of registered nurses regarding the scope of practice of speech-language pathologists (SLP) in Saudi Arabia. Background: Interdisciplinary collaboration is vital between the SLP and nurses due to the complex care needed by patients with speech problems. Methods: A total of 294 registered nurses were surveyed utilizing the Knowledge and Perception of Speech-Language Pathologists questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and tests for differences and relationships were performed. Results: The findings revealed that nursing respondents had an overall good understanding of the value and scope of practice of the SLP. However, they frequently and wrongly responded to scenarios concerning patients who suffered from Alzheimer’s dementia, laryngeal cancer, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. Conclusions: It is vital for nurses to understand the value, role, and scope of practice of the SLP. Further educational nursing interventions and training are necessary for effective interprofessional collaboration and teamwork.

Swallowing screening practice patterns for nurses in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The current study surveyed nurse practice patterns for performing swallowing screens in an academic cardiac intensive care unit (ICU). It aimed to index: training and levels of confidence in conducting dysphagia screens; screening methods employed; timing and frequency of implement; and subsequent plan of care in identified high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND

Swallowing impairment (dysphagia) is common following cardiac surgery and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early and accurate detection of dysphagia is therefore critical to afford implementation of interventions to optimise patient care. Currently, no validated instruments or guidelines exist for nursing screening of dysphagia in this setting.

METHODS

An anonymous and voluntary 10-item mixed-methods online survey was conducted using Qualtrics software. Nonprobability purposive sampling was utilised to recruit nurses working in an academic 24-bed cardiac ICU. Thematic analysis using operationally defined coding, SRQR checklist and descriptive statistics were employed.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine nurses completed the survey during a 1-month period, representing an 84% response rate. Formal training in performing swallowing screens was reported in 18.6% of nurses. In rank order, reported level of confidence was the following: "moderately" (49%); "somewhat" (35%); "not" (13%); and "very" (3%). The majority of nurses performed screens within 1 hr (40.6%) or between 1-4 hr (43.8%) of extubation. Fifteen different methods were utilised to screen swallowing function by nurses who reported a total of 31 different clinical signs indicative of dysphagia.

CONCLUSIONS

Survey data of practicing nurses in an academic cardiac ICU revealed limited formal training in swallowing screening methodology, a high degree of variability in screening methods employed and low levels of agreement for dysphagia signs.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Data highlight a knowledge gap and need for the development of formal education and validated rapid nursing dysphagia screening tools for standardised implementation in the cardiac surgery ICU setting.