Current status of knowledge and practice in post-surgical wound dressing and care among Nurses at Hue University Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To describe and evaluate the current state of knowledge and practice regarding post-surgical wound dressing and care among nurses at Hue University Hospital in 2023. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practical competencies of 63 nurses from various departments, including the Department of Trauma and Thoracic Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Neurosurgery-Urology, Oncology, Obstetrics, and the Emergency Department at Hue University Hospital, using a pre-designed questionnaire. Results: The total average score was 114.3 ± 6.9, with 59 nurses (93.7%) achieving an adequate level of general knowledge and 4 nurses (6.3%) not meeting the required knowledge level. The knowledge attainment rates for all topics were above 90%. The practical competency in wound care had an average total score of 56.52 ± 2.69, with 96.8% of the subjects demonstrating adequate competence and only 3.2% failing to meet the standard. There was a significant association between knowledge of wound care and the work unit of the nurses, with noticeable differences among the departments. However, there was no significant association between wound care knowledge and practical competency with demographic characteristics such as gender, marital status, religion, professional qualifications, or years of experience. Conclusion: The knowledge and practical competency in wound care among nurses at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital are generally good, though some areas require further training