Australian critical care nurses’ knowledge, preparedness and experiences of managing SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19 pandemic

Nahidi, S; Sotomayor-Castillo, C; Li, C; Currey, J; Elliott, R; Shaban, RZ

Australian critical care nurses’ knowledge, preparedness and experiences of managing SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19 pandemic

Nahidi, S Sotomayor-Castillo, C Li, C Currey, J Elliott, R

Shaban, RZ

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Australian Critical Care, 2021
Issue Date:: 2021-05-12

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Nahidi, S
dc.contributor.author	Sotomayor-Castillo, C
dc.contributor.author	Li, C
dc.contributor.author	Currey, J
dc.contributor.author	Elliott, R https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9239-7126
dc.contributor.author	Shaban, RZ
dc.date.accessioned	2021-09-15T01:46:42Z
dc.date.available	2021-04-22
dc.date.available	2021-09-15T01:46:42Z
dc.date.issued	2021-05-12
dc.identifier.citation	Australian Critical Care, 2021
dc.identifier.issn	1036-7314
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150543
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Background</h4>Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has again highlighted the crucial role of healthcare workers in case management, disease surveillance, policy development, and healthcare education and training. The ongoing pandemic demonstrates the importance of having an emergency response plan that accounts for the safety of frontline healthcare workers, including those working in critical care settings.<h4>Objectives</h4>The aim of the study was to explore Australian critical care nurses' knowledge, preparedness, and experiences of managing patients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID-19.<h4>Methods</h4>An exploratory cross-sectional study of Australian critical care nurses was conducted between June and September 2020. An anonymised online survey was sent to Australian College of Critical Care Nurses' members to collect information about their knowledge, preparedness, and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise and report data.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 157 critical care nurses participated, with 138 fully complete surveys analysed. Most respondents reported 'good' to 'very good' level of knowledge about COVID-19 and obtained up-to-date COVID-19 information from international and local sources. Regarding managing patients with COVID-19, 82.3% felt sufficiently prepared at the time of data collection, and 93.4% had received specific education, training, or instruction. Most participants were involved in assessing (89.3%) and treating (92.4%) patients with COVID-19. Varying levels of concerns about SARS-CoV-2 infection were expressed by respondents, and 55.7% thought the pandemic had increased their workload. The most frequent concerns expressed by participants were a lack of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and fear of PPE shortage.<h4>Conclusions</h4>While most nurses expressed sufficient preparedness for managing COVID-19 patients, specific education had been undertaken and experiential learning was evident. Fears of insufficient or lack of appropriate PPE made the response more difficult for nurses and the community. Preparedness and responsiveness are critical to successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic and future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation.ispartof	Australian Critical Care
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.aucc.2021.04.008
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1103 Clinical Sciences, 1110 Nursing
dc.subject.classification	Nursing
dc.title	Australian critical care nurses’ knowledge, preparedness and experiences of managing SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19 pandemic
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1110 Nursing
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-09-15T01:46:39Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has again highlighted the crucial role of healthcare workers in case management, disease surveillance, policy development, and healthcare education and training. The ongoing pandemic demonstrates the importance of having an emergency response plan that accounts for the safety of frontline healthcare workers, including those working in critical care settings.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to explore Australian critical care nurses' knowledge, preparedness, and experiences of managing patients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID-19.

Methods

An exploratory cross-sectional study of Australian critical care nurses was conducted between June and September 2020. An anonymised online survey was sent to Australian College of Critical Care Nurses' members to collect information about their knowledge, preparedness, and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise and report data.

Results

A total of 157 critical care nurses participated, with 138 fully complete surveys analysed. Most respondents reported 'good' to 'very good' level of knowledge about COVID-19 and obtained up-to-date COVID-19 information from international and local sources. Regarding managing patients with COVID-19, 82.3% felt sufficiently prepared at the time of data collection, and 93.4% had received specific education, training, or instruction. Most participants were involved in assessing (89.3%) and treating (92.4%) patients with COVID-19. Varying levels of concerns about SARS-CoV-2 infection were expressed by respondents, and 55.7% thought the pandemic had increased their workload. The most frequent concerns expressed by participants were a lack of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and fear of PPE shortage.

Conclusions

While most nurses expressed sufficient preparedness for managing COVID-19 patients, specific education had been undertaken and experiential learning was evident. Fears of insufficient or lack of appropriate PPE made the response more difficult for nurses and the community. Preparedness and responsiveness are critical to successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic and future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150543