Ease of clinical use of intravenous connectors and health professional′s satisfaction

32^nd Euro Nursing and Medicare Summit

October 26-28, 2017 | Paris, France

Betul Guven, Tuba Sengul and Ayse Ferda Ocakci

Koc University, Turkey

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Intravenous connectors have been introduced into clinical practice to eliminate the risk of needle stick injuries by avoiding the use of needles when accessing the intravascular catheters. There is a need for research on connecting intravenous fluid to intravenous connectors, comparing efficacy of different technologies, washing protocols and nursing education. This study was conducted to determine the ease of use and the satisfaction levels of health professionals with the 3-way stopcock and needle-free connectors. This descriptive study population comprised of 80 nurses/midwives working in a hospital�¢����s general surgery unit, reanimation intensive care unit and chemotherapy unit where both types of connectors are used. A 14-item questionnaire was developed by researcher to collect data related to descriptive characteristics of health professionals as well as the use of connectors (training on connector use, availability and level of satisfaction for connectors). To assess the level of satisfaction for connectors there is a visual analog scale between 0-10. Among them 52 (65%) health professionals were using a 3-way stopcock and 53 (66.2%) health professionals were using needle-free connector received any training regarding utilization of connectors and catheter-related infections. It was determined that among the non-trained health professionals 33 (67.3%) of those using the 3-way stopcock and 38 (38%) of those using needle-free connectors wish to receive education about catheter-related infections. 46 (57.5%) of health professionals stated that it is easy to use 3-way stopcock and 48 (60%) stated it is easy to use needleless valve. There was no significant relationship between ease of use and connector type (p> 0.05). Health professionals�¢���� average satisfaction with the 3-way stopcock was 6.15���±3.040 and satisfaction with the needle-free connector was 6.70���±2.898. There was no significant difference in satisfaction averages of health professionals according to connector type (p>0.05). The lack of a significant difference between ease of use and health professionals�¢���� satisfaction between the 3-way stopcock and the needle-free connector indicates that the positive effects of connector use are similar in practice.

Biography :

Betul Guven has completed her PhD in Surgical Nursing from Istanbul University School of Health Sciences. She is an instructor at Koç University School of Nursing. She is interested in Bariatric Surgery, Patient Education, Day Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery Nursing.