Effect of Nursing Intervention Program on Nurses Knowledge, Practices and Patients Outcomes with Bronchial Asthma

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. Although asthma is a major cause of patient disability and in rare cases causes premature death and it has a profound impact on all aspects of a patient's life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nursing intervention program on nurses' knowledge and practices and outcomes for patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma. A quasi experimental research design with pre and post-test assessment was used on 30 participants of nurses working in the Chest ICU and the Chest Department at Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt and 30 adult patients diagnosed with acute severe bronchial asthma under their care. Structured interview tool was used to assess nurses' knowledge, an observation checklist for their practice and the Asthma Severity Assessment Scale and Breathlessness Scale for patients. The researcher developed nursing intervention program based on analysis of assessment data and using pertinent literature to teach nurses guidelines for dealing with patients diagnosed with acute severe asthma. This was delivered to nurses in 12 sessions. Evaluation was done immediately (post-test) and three months after implementation (follow-up), along with evaluation of the patients. The results showed marked deficiencies in nurses’ knowledge and practices before the program, with significant improvements at the post and follow-up evaluations, associated with amelioration of the severity of asthma and dyspnea among studied patients. Therefore, a relatively short-term in service training programs for all nurses working in the Chest ICU and the Chest department is implemented to enable nurses to update their knowledge and practice. Evidence based protocols for patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma should be routinely implemented and evaluated.