Nurses’ Performance regarding Care of Patients Undergoing Stem Cell Transplantation in Hematological Malignancies

Abstract

Background: Stem cell transplantation is a lifesaving procedure for several malignant and non-malignant life-threatening diseases, Knowledge and practise of this procedure should continue to grow as stem cell research advances and its applications expand. Aim: The study aimed to assess nurses’ performance regarding the care of patients undergoing stem cell transplantation for hematological malignancies. Design: A descriptive exploratory research design was used. Sample: A convenient sample of all available nurses (about (50 nurses) from both sexes working in the stem cell transplantation unit. Setting: This study was conducted at Nasser Institute Hospital and El Sheikh Zayed Specialized Hospital. Tools: tool (1), the nurses’ self-administered interview questionnaire, composed of two parts, Part I. demographic data of nurses including age, gender, educational level, years of experience, years of working, etc. Part II. a nurses' knowledge assessment questionnaire, which aimed to assess nurses' knowledge in relation to stem cell transplantation, tool (2) An observational checklist for nurses working with stem cell transplant patients: it aimed to assess nurses' practises in relation to stem cell transplantation. Results: 84% and 86% the studied nurses had a satisfactory level of total knowledge and competent level of total practice regarding stem cell transplantation among the studied nurses respectively. Conclusion: there was a highly statistically positive correlation between total knowledge and practice regarding stem cell transplantation among the studied nurses. Recommendation: Repeat the study with a larger sample size and in a different geographical setting to allow for generalisation of results.