Adherence of Pediatric Critical Care Nurses to Blood Sampling Guidelines in Intensive Care Units of Children’s University Hospitals at Alexandria

Abstract

Background: Blood sampling is a frequently used clinical diagnostic procedure in pediatric critical care units.However, it also carries several risks due to poor blood sampling practices. Adherence to recent bloodsampling guidelines by pediatric critical care nurses is crucial in preserving the safety of both nurses and thepediatric population and achieving positive outcomes. Aim: This study aimed to identify the adherence ofpediatric critical care nurses to blood sampling guidelines in intensive care units of children’s universityhospitals at Alexandria. Settings: The study was conducted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at SmouhaUniversity Children’s Hospital and Surgical Intensive Care Unit at El-Shatby University Hospital for Children.Subjects: All available pediatric critical nurses (56 nurses) from the previously mentioned settings who wereresponsible for performing blood sampling procedures for neonates, infants, and children. Tool: One tool wasused to collect the necessary data: Adherence of Pediatric Critical Care Nurses to Blood Sampling Guidelinesamong Critically Ill Children Observational Checklists. Results: More than three-quarters of pediatric criticalcare nurses (78.9%) had a good adherence to venipuncture guidelines during the procedure; slightly less thanthree-quarters of pediatric critical care nurses (73.7%) obtained a good adherence level regarding arterialpuncture guidelines during the procedure; less than two-thirds of pediatric critical care nurses (62.9%) had agood adherence level regarding capillary blood sampling guidelines during the procedure. Conclusion: It wasconcluded from this study that the majority of pediatric critical care nurses had overall “good" adherence toblood sampling guidelines. Recommendations: Creating continuous training programs for nurses on appliedrecent blood sampling guidelines is recommended to enhance their knowledge and practices of care providedfor neonates, infants, and children undergoing venous, arterial, and capillary blood sampling.