Concordance between knowledge and performance of aseptic technique on preparing intravenous medications

Abstract

Introduction: Aseptic technique on preparing intravenous medications is in a 90% of the cases a nurse responsibility, as pharmacology takes advances, nurses are facing a complex process with major requirements to perform this task in a right, safety, and on time way.

Objective: To identify the concordance between knowledge and performance of aseptic technique in preparation of intravenous medications.

Methodology: Transversal, analytic study. Throughout sampling for convenience, 54 critical care nurses, and 19 doctors with anesthesia residency were studied. Dependent variables: knowledge and performance of aseptic technique in the preparation of intravenous medications. A verification guide was utilized and later on questionnaires were surveyed under the amendments of Helsinki Declaration.

Results: 43% nurses were working in evening shift and 89% of the doctors with residency were floating in the morning shift. It was observed that 38 people had knowledge in relation to hand washing, 47% do not perform it. With a medium concordance, 37 people have knowledge on the use of the alcohol as bacteriostatic, 56% do not use it. From 47 people who have knowledge regarding to vial's cleaning in preparing medications, 64% do not perform it.

Discussion: Results obtained in this study are quite unfavorable since only in hand washing it was found a medium concordance and in the others variables it was a discordance; it is a concern that such a common practice and apparently simple practice is not performed up by nurses and doctors.