Nurses' knowledge of high-alert medications: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM

This study explores the effectiveness of an educational intervention on nurses' knowledge regarding the administration of high-alert medications.

BACKGROUND

Nurses' insufficient knowledge is considered to be one of the most significant factors contributing to medication errors. Most medication errors cause no harm to patients, but the incorrect administration of high-alert medications can result in serious consequences. A previous study by the same authors validated 20 true/false questions concerning high-alert medications and suggested that the topic be taught to nurses (Hsaio, et al., 2010. Nurses' knowledge of high-alert medications: Instrument development and validation. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 66(1), 177-199.).

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was employed in 2009 in Taiwan. Twenty-one hospital wards and 232 nurses were randomized to control and intervention groups. The sixty-minute educational intervention was based on the viewing of a Powerpoint file developed for this study. The results were compared pre-intervention and six weeks post-intervention by means of a test comprising the 20 questions regarding high-alert medications.

FINDINGS

The pre-intervention baseline data for correct answer rate was 75.8% (mean; n=232). After the intervention, the post-test showed significant improvement in the intervention group (n=113) (pre vs. post; 77.2±15.5 vs. 94.7±7.6; paired t=10.82, p<0.0001) but not in the control group (n=112) (pre vs. post; 74.3±14.7 vs. 75.5±14.2; paired t=0.60; p=0.247).

CONCLUSIONS

Educational intervention appears to be effective in strengthening nurses' knowledge of high-alert medications. The Powerpoint file presented teaching material which is both suitable and feasible for hospital-based continuing education.