Skill Training Programme on Knowledge and Skills Regarding Uses of Instruments and Devices in Intensive Care Unit: Nursing Students in Tertiary Care Hospital, Vadodara

Abstract

Background: ICUs are highly specialized hospital areas equipped with critical care tools like motorized beds, monitors, ventilators, pumps, defibrillators, and trolleys. Nursing schools aim to train novice nurses effectively to meet rising healthcare demands. Skill training programs help students adapt to modern healthcare's technical challenges, ensuring they acquire practical skills for safe and efficient patient care.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge and skills of nursing students regarding uses of instruments and devices in intensive care unit. Determine the effectiveness of skill training programme on knowledge and skills of nursing students regarding uses of instruments and devices in intensive care unit. Determine association between demographic variables and pre-test knowledge and skill score.

Materials and Methods: This study utilized a quantitative research approach with a one-group pre-test post-test design to evaluate the effectiveness of skill training program on nursing students' knowledge and skills related to ICU instruments and devices usage. Non-probability convenience sampling was employed to select 100 nursing students from Parul Institute of Nursing, Vadodara. Sociodemographic data and ICU instruments and devices usage knowledge were assessed using a self-structured questionnaire. Skills were evaluated using a modified checklist covering ventilator operation, syringe infusion pump operation, basic airway device handling, instruments of intubation trolley management, and defibrillator operation.

Results: Pre-test knowledge mean score was 10.32, increasing significantly to 13.81 in the post-test (t=6.992, p=0.0001), indicating program effectiveness. Skill scores also significantly improved: for ventilator operation, mean pre-test score was 3.11, increasing to 8.13 (t=21.738, p=0.0001); for syringe infusion pump, pre-test mean score was 2.87, increasing to 9.57 (t=29.206, p=0.0001); for basic airway devices, pre-test mean score was 7.88, increasing to 16.75 (t=20.187, p=0.0001); for instruments of Intubation Trolley, pre-test mean score was 7.64, increasing to 21.43 (t=32.069, p=0.0001); and for defibrillator operation, pre-test mean score was 2.12, increasing to 7.80 (t=43.896, p=0.0001). These findings suggest significant improvement in students' skills across all areas following the skill training program, with no significant association found between pre-test scores and demographic variables. Overall, the program effectively enhanced students' competence and confidence in handling ICU tasks.

Conclusion: Throughout the training, nursing students gained competence and confidence, preparing them for their clinical internships and enabling them to provide higher quality care to patients. Overall, nursing students notably improved their skills and are now more assured in their ability to handle intensive care assignments. The skill training program was deemed effective in this study.