Improving Human Immunodeficiency Virus/AIDS Palliative Care in Critical Care.

Brown Jami S, Halupa Colleen

Jami S. Brown, DHEd, RN, CNN, is an assistant professor, BSN/MSN Programs, College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee. Colleen Halupa, EdD, MS, MLT/MT (ASCP), is director of Curriculum Design and Technology, and associate professor, Letourneau University, Longview, Texas; and assistant professor, College of Graduate Health Studies, A. T. Still University, Kirksville, Missouri.

Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2015 Jul-Aug;34(4):216-21. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000119.

BACKGROUND

Critical care nurses provide palliative care to many patients; often, this includes the patient diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS. Ongoing education about both palliative care and this complex diagnosis prepares the nurse to provide compassion and informed care.

OBJECTIVES

This study examines the effects of an educational intervention addressing palliative care in the intensive care unit and the needs of the HIV/AIDS patients and families. The study will evaluate the critical care nurses' knowledge and competence in caring for this population following the educational sessions.

METHODS

Thirty critical care nurses were recruited from the critical care unit at a hospital in the south. An HIV/AIDS palliative care course provided participants background knowledge, general principles, and opportunities for critical thinking regarding palliative care. A pretest and posttest on palliative care were provided to each subject to assess knowledge and confidence in palliative care in critical care nursing.

RESULTS

The convenience sample of 30 nurses attained a mean pretest score of 82.9%. Their scores improved to 93.5% following the palliative care course. The nurses felt they improved in providing palliative care to patients and in taking responsibility for their practice. Ninety-three percent of the participants wanted to incorporate a palliative care course in nursing orientation.

DISCUSSION

The course improved nurses' knowledge of palliative care for HIV/AIDS patients and their competency in palliative care. Thus, the palliative care course gave nurses deeper insight and improved their ability to provide competence palliative care.